The New York herald., 1875-11-25
Interesting Interview with
General J. ID. Imboden.
A POLITICAL REVOLUTION BEGUN.
The Color Line Substantially
Broken Down.
More independence and
Less Party Lash.
RIcsnoSp, Nov. 20. 1875.


arly tho party organs significantly silent on the
subject Their present policy OF ostensible ndiGer
to the disruption OF the conservative party is
probably the wsest course that could be pursued un-
der the they aware that any disN
cussion or agitation OF that matter would not only
keep The party feuds alive, but also hasten the de
structon or the organization, which they fear From
present indications The Legislature VIII have It's hands
full when meets IN disposing OF contested seats
growing out Of the recent independent movement in
portions the State In many Of these cases
II IS expected nov elections viii be ordered, which
will have the effect Of renewing the bitter feeling be.
tween the factions and consequently of widening
the breach between them Virginia leaders are noted
for their tact and shrewdness in the management or
political affairs, and with unity discipline the
servaliye organization deled all the efforts Or the
publicans to control the State, backed the latter
were by the power and patronage Of the federal gov
ernment Now, however mutny has appeared in
their ranks several leaders and men great political
influence have rcbelled against the party authority,
and "when Greek meets Greek then comes the tug OF
war The fact is that the republicans became so fee
bic political opponents that the
fight among themselves, and in doing this, whether by
accident Or intention, they succeeded admirably
in entering the wedge Of
TOTAL DISRUPTION
both parties Among the leaders OF the independent
movement in this city who attained marked notoriety
and great prominence writer and speaker during
the contest was ex-Contederate Cen
eral j. D. Imboden. On this gentleman
the HERALD correspondent called to ascertain
his views, and in reply TO general inquiry the
condition Of the political parties he said"I have par
ticpaod very little in the politics Of Virginia since the
war Ny party relations, sympathies and votes have
naturally been with the conservatives As people we
I'VE rnuch In at II ectah ad and
maintained the ascendancy OF intelligence ignor-
ance and in the main of honesty over dishonesty in
1he administration of our State government II
called into existence to avert the clames with which
we were menaced by the reconstruction measures ofCon-
eress, that at tae threatened US with fate smi-
aar to that which befel Of more unfortunate
Southern States. The imminence OF the danger COM
bined Of ali shades Of political opinion into com
pact organization TO fight on
COLOR LINE.
The Issue not Of seeking but forced upon
by tho algn influences brought to bear Cor several
years after the BY unscrnpuous political adyen-
turers upon the ignorant easily misled and conddng
negroes These adventurers swarmed in the wake Of
che retiring federal army and sought by every artidce
deVish ingenuity could invent 70 sodity the black ec
ment IN orr midst as Accumulation on waich to plant
themselves securely general assault The little
property and credit Of the vanquishcd south The
white people Of Virginia combined to resist this thing
and called their organization the conservative party
They we're successful We now see tie Stale
curely, safely and permanently in the hands o. the
~htesn
y eREsPoxpEST-But 40 you not think the color line,
Co. oct the organization Of both parties is broken
and, IN a 4 Of the late electlonsS .
ny TIE resn~ 1ESTle recent election throughout the
Gen99 ys that reorganization q political
parties is an event 10
cO'of nc : srnsrAzry1sl;; sRoKrS "-
and men Or both races VIZ Divide upon sscs ..,,- =
create parties "a tAi5 eean%Ll and wn soon ~ W. =
working together shoulder 70 shoulder ithe oe ionn9
30 race, color or previous condition s'louI rSlard
a. the haFbipser Of better time for us y hail this
Correspondent would ka = In the South
for this 0piniop Geaoral !, have your feasons
General MBopRS
Iioas 9et"N~ Well ,ne more friendly the rela
Ia the races in the same community the
lor both Social equality and intercourse hold
20 be an iInposslbty, and no man Of sense ~hlte OF
black Car as know, u Virginia, desires or expects
IL Political and civil equality exists and y luliy
recognlzed White and black men can cooperate i
In advancing the general welfare We are mutually
dependent each other n our daily NE ana as o1i
laws public affect both races qoth should
equally well informed, Il possible, before deciding
upon them The colored people are AAdins out th@t
they have been
for years ana beginning 10 appreciate the I'm
port 4 "a Of seeking Information public affairs from
peCb a0 arc merely seeking their votes, but
real, try,ag to eulighten their minds On the other
hana wh te men, who scorned to waste words on them
while they slaves Of hostile party leagues and
leaders now cheeruly discuss before them the poht-
CoREFsroxbExTZDo you think many men Of known
influence will engage in tho work of instructng the
neeruest
General IfBoDsS-Ycs think rejecting white men
nov see al opportunity Of doing great and permanent
good by en1avong instruct the coored man IN the
principles, organization ana pfactch "ofkns ol our
complex system OF government and viii engage heartily
IN the work 70 The manifest benefit Of tho community
CORREsPONDENT-It vs. your IMPRESSION then, that /
The conservative party is hopclessiy disruptedY
General MBoDES-Ths stress Of circumstances WHICH 4
created tho conservative party IN Virginia and has kept
Il d unit has enabled corrupt and INSCRIPTIONS men IN
many localities 70 seize its party machinery and run
Ia the interest of individuals who would have stood
chance of success 0ut for the party lash, well lald
IN, 70 keep reccitrants Up 70 the color hne. This
gave the
his chance Rings have been formed, nominations n
have been bought forced or won by Cheating and, "
save the party, have been submitted 70. The recent
State election think shows that this thing is about
played out ana ! believe We are on the eye q q
GREAT POLITICAL REVOLUTION
CorSrspoxpEvr-w What inference 10 you draw IN this
direction from the complexion oi The recently elected
General IMBopEx-fhe Legislature just elected Is,
perhaps, the best since the war There has been more
Independence Of party dcaton all over INC state than
We have had Tor ten years The people Of Virginia
want radicasm of any KIND think they are more
interested honest sensible and enlightened state and
municipal government than Ia entangiing political
alliances secure this believe the best elements
Of both the conservative ana republican parties tie
State viii grayitate toward each other until lhey
form
every has l0ated into Office on mere party
dritwood. There are pcuty Of good men "a both
parties - Virginia. but there are great many raseas
who would quit and JOIN the other 70 get position
and office These last Just the fellows that thinN
the people .eolng t0r' with vim, and believe
IN spite 0f The party ash less than twO years We viii
Get haek e. the good od doctrine q choosing ohoeTs
after nquirnE
s'is viz HONESTY IS HE cAPABLEg
II the party candidate don't Al thus Oil, the people
white ana black-Wla elect somebody that does.
COAREspONDgSr-L the circumstances how do
regard the prospect TOT the tutgref
General lMBODES--ln less than TWO years viii
have in the south the conservative voting popu-
aton IN the world By that time the last pest8erOus
carpethaeger Will ne our white population
viii be natives and substantial Northern men, welcome
settlers ln midst Cordial relations wilt then exist
between whites and blacks Tie whites viii De Ia the
ascendant; they VIII be the employers the blacks the
employees, as rule The negroes d0cllo Affection.
anu kindly people. Increasing intelligence win
teach them that the white man necessarily controls this
government and they Will vote with their employers Or