Alexandria Gazette

[COMMUNICATED.]

"Who can forbid a convention? Let some one who can answer J. S. B's. question, and let him also tell us the reason for the no convention plan, and why the democratic organization should be disbanded? Who started the no convention idea? What does it mean? Is it the offspring of timidity? Are we to disband as regulars and fight as guerrillas? Who are responsible for such sentiments? If the present leaders of the pure and true democrats think they have neither the courage nor ability to win with regulars, let them resign and there are others in the ranks who have—both, ready to take their places. The habit of always trying to dodge a difficulty is a sure mark of cowardice and only multiplies them. Let the convention nominate a good democrat and with him as our standard bearer, he can beat the republican party. If the convention should think Massie the strongest man in the democratic party and nominate him, there will be no fear of the result. But if Massie runs as an independent expecting to get the support of regular democrats he will be disappointed, and most assuredly defeated. It would be in my judgment, a great blunder for the convention to nominate Mr. Massie, because the opposition to him by liberal and intelligent democrats is deep and inveterate, and they would support him with great reluctance. But without a regular nomination he would stand no chance; indeed he would not carry the 8th district."

X.