Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1908-11-18
CALL FOR STATE CONVENTION.

prior to the calling OF the primary
for the nomination of a candidate
for Governor and of candidate
Tor each cf the other State offices
filled 10y direct vote of the people.
Such 4 convention should be
held for several excellent reasons.
but the foremost question for it 20
consider should be an amendment
of the present primary plan re-
lquiring majority, instead of plu-
rality, nominations.
OF almost equal importance is a
meeting of Democrats for the pur-
pose of taking stock. for inquiring
into the party status of some emil
nent citizens: for the purging of
the roll call. aud for the stimulus.
rejuyenation. inspiration aud en-
thuSissm that are inserarable from
gathering of the clans.
Defender of the primary prin-
ciple, as the Journal is and shall
be, We do not blind ourself h its
defects, and among the chiefest of
these Is the absence of that oppor-
tuni,y for meeting and inspiration
that characterized the old conven-
ton.
While we consider Virginia
Democracy sound to the core, and
regard spasmodic signs of disaffec-
ton as mere surface blemishes, it
is folly for US to remain idle and
content when the forces of disin-
tegration are silently at work.
Let Us spray the trees and save the
orchard of Democracy intact be-
fore disease spreads to the trunk
and branches and attacks party
vitality.
The Nirginia-Pilot points out
the distressing inactivity of the
State. congressional and city Dem
ocratic committees, with few ex-
ceptions, in the late campaign.
contrasts the energy of the Re-
publican committees. State, dis
trict and city, and lays stress on
the fact that the Republicans accom-
plished results in proportion to
intelligent effort.
We commend the suggestion of
the Virginian-Pilot, and direct
thoughtful consideration to its ar
gument, which, in essence. is in
cluded in the following extract:
The Democracy of Virginia
will scarcely have time to ascertain
the casualties of the recent engage
ment before it will be called on to
enter another campaign. Many
things must be remedied before the
new conflict is joined or other dis
agreeable surprises may be ex-
pected. The party ties have been
loosened TO an extent which rem
ders them incapable of resisting
any heavy strain. An ounce of
prevention would have gone far TO
postpone this state of affairs, if
administered by vigilant and ear
nest leadership. Now a pound of
cure will be needed. and that to be
applied sagaciously and vigorously
One source Of danger which looms
black and threatening in the i'm
mediate horizon is the plurality
primary. Nothing less than a
majority vote should suffice to
validate nomination. Nothing
hess will insure against discomfort
and sclIi,m. Facing the more than
probability that a minority of the
party May name the candidate for
Governor. many citizens will avoid
au u'lsl,@ss@t diIcmna ~ abstain :
ing fiona ,i.c poll.
w. firmly believe tia, it is
:"r j. IL. q S,ate convention
of ID mocrais to be held to deal
with thc mcnaciuS anomaly in the
party law. To leave matters as
they are is to invito disaster. The
danger can H. escaped by the sim
pie device II allowing each ,nler
to exprcsS 2 lirsi su.i second choice
on his oal'c This would cost
nothing, w.a,' d avay wish the
bugbear >. aant4er election. aad
would give the successful ccmpct-
itor Q claim invioIai.le or any pre-
text upon the sn;lp"r' OF all par
ticipators ~ ths primary. Both
rli scipls :.a,l rxuedi, ney demand
Il. eh&: ~ Tie peril hat Turks