Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-29
AN UNJUST CHARGE.

We take the following from the last is
sue Of the Scottsville Courier:
The MAY meeting" after all the -four
| fish of trumpets. will not be a representa-
! tive meeting Of the people of Virginia.
| but only of those who favor the election
Of senators by direct vote or their nomi-
| nation by primaries None others will be
! admitted Evidently its projectors are
afraid that enough of the people might
take sufficient interest TO attend and vote
the whole matter TO rest, ana 10 avoid
disclosing their weakness and to make
assurance double sure" the meeting will
be well packed" The gentlemen are en-
titled 10 their meeting and their fun. II
they want It; but 1t takes considerable
nerve to say that a meeting so composed
represents anything but faction, and
frightened one at that.
This is a very serious charge and
most unjust one.
Among the slgners of the call are such
gentlemen as Acknowledgement Monta-
que Congressman Jones. Lamb, and
RNey, ex-Congressmen George d. Wise.
John Goode and J. w. Marshall, Cap
tain Joseph willard. Henry c. Stuart, j.
c. Parker, Eppa Hunton. Jr, Il. Walton
Moore, w. f. Reddy. w. a. Anderson.
T. r. Glasgow, &c. &c. These gentlemen
have invited all Democrats who are in
sympathy with their views TO meet here
in May for the following purpose:
To adopt such measures as may be
deemed best TO promote the election OF
senators OF the United States by the di-
rect vote Of the people, and until that
result is accomplished. the selection Of
party senatorial candidates by SOME
METHOD.
IT is too bad for the Courier TO say that
the meeting will be well packed" What
have the sgners ever said or done TO
justify such an uncharitable conclusion? |
The Dispatch doesn't believe there is
the slightest ground for such a charge. |
We have faith in the signers, and we be- /.
Iieve they mean what they say when |
they invite here, for conference, on May |
10th. ali Democrats who hold to the prin- !
ciple that the people are fully capable |
Of choosing their senators, and who are |
willing to unite with them for the pur-
pose stated above.
The intention Of the signers can be |
Judged best from their call. 1t is admit
ed, we believe. that they are honorable
men, and it is inconceivabc that honor
ible men should invite brother Democrats |
% come TO Richmond TO a "well-packed"
meeting.
Again, one would judge from the re-
marks of the Courier that Democrats ia
'oring q State Convention of the Demo-
ratio party will not be expected to come.
The Dispatch thinks that that is not the
roper view Of the call. Unquestionably
he preference Of the people who are sup J
PORTING the May movement is for a Dem
'cratic primary but the call does not
Xclude the idea OF a nomination at the
lands of a State Democratic Convention. |
We insist that the best guide for those
Who would know the purposes Of the May
Meeting is the address to the Democrats
f the State issued by the signers on
larch Goth. The signers Of that address
re as well known and are as reputable
s any other Democrats in Virginia, and
ull credit should. therefore be given TO
he statement they have deliberately put
orth under their own signatures.