The New York herald., 1879-11-16
VIEWS OF AN OLD vIRGINIAN.

MR. RICHARD DUDLEY MASON ON THE PoL1TI-
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.
The Louisville Courfer-Journal Of the 18th inst.
prints long interview with Mr. Richard Dudley
Mason, Of Virginia Mr.. Mason was born ON the
18th Of December. 1795. He is therefore q triae
short of his eightytourth year. Educated in France
he became at the early age Of twenty-five attache
to the American Legation in London; but. wearying
Of diplomatic service within the year, he gave up
his official post and entered the University Of OK
ford. He inmate ofCorpus Christi five years.
After taking his degree he travelled extensively, and
returned to America in the autumn of 1924. He had
been abroad just twenty -one years. His fortune was
ample his modesty at least great his fortune.
and his tastes simple and scholarly. He accepted
seat in the Virginia Assembly during single
sion. He twice declined seat in Congress and
seat in the Cabinet. He was offered the mission to
France by two administrations. but he could never
be induced to take Office.
"You do not appear" said the Cour1erJournal cor
respondent. ''to have very high opinion of the
present OF democratic politicians. Mr.. Mason?
'Indeed, have not. But for the republican poll
tcians, should repeat in earnest what said while
ago in jest that they ought to be flung into the
Potomac. They have gone wrong ever since the
war-frst on the negro question:; then on the
money question: and now. on the elimination Of
their laundering. into an exigency which the
future OF our system may depend At the close of
the the status of the negro remained to be fixed.
The extreme radicals proposed what finally
came to pass-complete citizenship. Instead
scheme, looking to the good of both races,
the democratic party did nothing but baw at the
radicals After the constitutional amendments were
adopted they did nothing but bawi at them. They
kept up this senseiess oucry until the birth Of the
tard. and grooming over il. and arraying it in all
manner OF fantastic apparel rings on Its bngers and
ing the honored traditions of long line Of honest
public men into discredit, along with the public
decency aud credit
"But.' interpolated. dreading somewhat finan-
cial disquisition, show about the extra session.?
IA bad job or work. said he; lit was got up to
kill of Tilden to elect Mr.. Blackburn Speaker Of the
House, and to bring Mr.. Thurman forward as the
favorite OF tho field for President. 1t did none Of
these things On the contrary gave rise to great
many foolish, excited sayings and doings. revived
the sectional question, put club in the hands Of
the republicans. united the staIwarts and the
servativcs and threw every democratic interest into
peril. Perhaps got the organization of the House
by it; perhaps We didn't. understand from Mont
gomery Blair that Mr.. Beck, who is a Scotchman,
takes this view of it, but we must remember that
the Scotch much given to making the best of bad
bargains and taking consolation where they get
nothing better. confess 1 do not see it In that
light. see in 1t bunder, which only the less to
be forgiven because it sprang from motives of per-
sonal advancement"
"Do you really think soT'
'f am sure of it. There has. indeed. never been
party whose leaders were so untrue to il as the demo
cratic party. They act like body OF condottieri.
who know not when they may be required to hght
on the 1.hes sass s,as ahey ss much aSoS, pr,nc
pEMocIAIIc SECRETS.
''But is not this the lack OF leadership? II Con-
eral Jackson were alive would IL be soY'
General Jackson of firm will. He Was
o military hero and dubbed his way into power He
lived when worship followed successes in public
lite. Parties were better drilled than they are now.
doubt IL any man could discipline the
scattered forces command obedience Of the
guerilla cheftains whom stress of political weather
has driven into tho democratic fold. went up to
Washington during tho winter Of 1877 TO meet and
spend few hours with my old friend, Charles
O'Conor. learned from him many curious facts.
Among other matters of interest he told mo that
Immediately after tho Presidential election, and
soon as IL became clear there going be con-
test over the count OF the vote. MIR. Tilden drew u
ss q SsRI s Ss sSs
the business In tho hands OF MIR. Knott, of Ken
tucky. who carried the plan Though his COM
That very day tho Electoral bill, created In the
scclusion OF n committee room was reported. Mr..
Tilden's plan was ruthlessy set aside. Mr.. Knott
was submcrged Now, If under the circumstances
the ocratic leaders In Congress would not follow
their elected President upon an explicit and tcnable
line. combating tho right Of the Vice President 10
count the vote, whom would they follow? Not st.
Paul, judge II he should descend from heaven to
earth with bona 6fe credentials and message from
the Great Jehovah. There In hardly single member
of the Senate who does not expect one day to be
President. Tho lightning has so often struck where
no ono looked to see 1t strike--as in the cases
Of Polk and Pierce and Hayes--that .evcry little
obscurjty thinks IL may strike him. Thus they are
all self-seekers. The hrst thing they consider is
themselves; the last thing their country. Being
without fidelity to their country, they cannot be
truly faithful TO their party. The republicans affect
the virtue il they have 1t not and when they lag
they are whipped to 1t by the party discipline and
they deceive people by their superior tact and
address. The den ocrats have not been at Washing
ton long enough to be proficient In this respect and
are continually allowing their desire to expose their
lack OF virtue"
You speak hardly, sir.'
81 would be VI just 60 man. nor to any set OF