Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-12
VIRGINIA
BY ALEX r. PRESTON

STAR CONVENTION BUREAU.
Chicago.-With the shadow of civil
rights cast over the Democratic
National Convention opening to-
morrow, hints of Virginia joining in
possible Southern bolt have ema-
mated from that States delegation.
Some of the same leaders who so
stubbornly baked at the 1852 con-
vention over the loyalty oath"
issue, again are guiding the Old
Dominion contingent this year.
State Democratic Chairman
Thomas H. Blanton has said a party
plank indorsing the Supreme Courts
deSegregation decision might lead
to Southern revolt. Last month,
after attending a conference of
Southern Democratic party chair
men in Atlanta, Mr.. Blanton said
their joint statement that they don't
favor bolt cannot be construed
as a promise there won't be one.
Leading the delegation this year,
as in 1852, are the State partys
titular head, Senator Byrd, former
Gov. John S. Battle and substanti-
ally the same group of party stall
warts. including Mr. Blanton The
only key figure in 1852 who is miss
ing this year is Representative Tuck,
a former Governor. Technically,
Gov. Stanley is chairman of the
1856 delegation.
1t is with this roster in mind
that some of the Virginians' stub
borness in 1852 is recalled as back
ground for the events that may &C.
cur in the coming week.
Set for Russell
When Virginia Democrats held
their State convention in Roanoke
on the eve of the 1852 national
convention, they were prepared in
instructing their Chicago delegates
for Georgia'S Senator Richard
Russell. Senator Byrd, who had
advocated the nomination of Gen.
Eisenhower on the Democratic
ticket in 1913. was behind Senator
Russell. The Republicans, meeting
a week earlier, already had grabbed
Mr. Eisenhower as their standard
bearer.
But the Georgian exploded a
bombShell when he announced in
Chicago he favored certain pro-
labor amendments to the Taft
Hartley act which both he and
Senator Byrd had helped enact.
Senator Byrds ardour cooled
noticeably although he said: Il
don't want the impression to get
around that I'm abandoning Sena-
tor Russell Representative Tuck.
a former Governor who keynoted
the 1852 State convention, elimi-
mated all his warm praise for Sena-
tor Russell from the prepared text
Of his speech previously distributed
to reporters.
Virginia's delegation was sent to
Chicago uninstructed. But as it
has done again in 1856. the 1852
State convention adjourned sub
ject to recall after the national
convention if it wants to get behind
some one other than the national
party nominee.
With the one-time favored Gen.
Eisenhower running as the G. o. P.
nominee. the 1852 State convention
never did reconvene to support a
candidate against him Senator
Byrd, in later developments, simply
refused to indorse his owP party's
nominee, Mr.. Stevenson.
1t is noteworthy that at the 1856
State convention in Richmond. the
keynoter, Representative Abitt of
the 9th district, said:
g. +. tell you that the record of
the Republican administration has
been a disappointment to those
Virginia Democrats who believed
in 1852 that the cause of sound
government demanded that they
leave the ranks of the National
Democratic Party"
Head On Collision
When Virginia delegates began
arriving in Chicago four years ago
they collided head-on with the
loyalty oath" issue. The national
committee proposed a resolution
declaring the honorable course of
every delegate who participates in
its proceedings is to support the
majority decisions of the conven-
ton here and hereafter"
Said Senator Byrd: It don't
know how any other member of
the delegation feels but I certainly
don't intend to take any such
pledge :"
Mr.. Tuck's comment: Il am not
disposed to sign any such agree
ment. 1t is unprecedented in this
or any other national conven-
ton.
BY the time all delegates reached
Chicago. Senator Byrd's position