Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-27

There are numerous indications that
the conference To be held here on May
10th in the interest Of electing United
satec senator's by the direct vote Of the
people. will be in respect both of Num-
bers and OF intelligence one of the most
notable gatherings that have taken place
in Virginia in many years. Daily the
promise widens that it Will BE- goodly
company of which in time TO come 1t
Will be counted an honor TO have been "a
member. And justly so, for the con-
ference will be a Disappointing gather
ing. 1t will stand for a principle the
triumph Of which will mark an epoch in
the life of the republic.
There will be present many men who
have been active in Democratic politics
in the State since the war; and who by
reason of that fact have been constantly
before the public. But there will also he
present many others who, while Of the
party in all that loyalty implies, are not
"in politics" in the sense that expression
g. generally understood. And the fact
that so many Of this class have expressed
their earnest sympathy with the move
ment and signifcd their purpose 10 at
tend the conference, is, in our view, the
most gratifying feature Of the situation
and outlook. 1t affords indisputable evil
dence that the principle for which the
conference will contend Is deeply rooted
an the minds of the masses, and has
been thoroughly dlgested; and while it in
a.. a.ts.,. f.ff l.0.
inent as a movement within the party
us a Virginia Democratic mOVement-it
raises the conference TO higher plane
than that of the average state political
gathering. This feature renders it posi-
bile for the conference TO take place
alongside the greatest of our asscmblages
of the past.
twenty-five states are said TO have eX-
dressed desire that the Constitution
be so changed as to provide that senators
shall be elected by the popular vote, but
as we understand it. the May conference
will represent the first organized ehort on
The part of the people of a state to give
practical direction to the movement Viz
einia IS, therefore. in the position Of
having assumed the leadership in the
actual fight for the principle. She is in
the position OF having reasserted her an
cient claim TO especial prominence and in
Huence in holding the government to the
lines Of true Democracy. VIII she vim
dictate her assumption and make good her
ueassertod claim? The opportunity for
doing both is before her. The possibility
10 which we have alluded of the con-
ference's taking rank alongside OF our
greatest assemblages of the past can be
made a certainty. All that is necessa ry
10 that end is more widespread recogni-
lion among those who favor the move
ment OF the duty of personal Attendance
upon the conference. 50 that when Nir-
xinia's voice on the issue goes out il will
be in such volume as will be heard and
needed the land over. The Attendance
cannot be too large. The greater the
number present the greater will be the
impression the action OF the body Will
make upon the country. And the greater
this improssion-the more the conference
contributes TO the advancement Of the
cause of trusting the people-the greater
will be the honor Of having participated
in its proceedings.