The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-12-11
Political Confusion at Richmond.

tai of Virginia as it were possible to des-
cribe at the time of writing. What has &C.
CURED since to change or modify1the facts
and conclusions stated, we cannot now say.
The view that Mr.. Dungee is said to have
presented to the. President is that which is
resisting all efforts. TO induce the colored Re-
publicans to break from the Re-adjusters or
Liberals Gen. Malone and his party
have given them the assurance, verified by
the recent election, that they shall be pro-
tected at the balot-box, and that each man
who may desire to vote, shall have the priv
lece of casting one ballot rejecting his SEN
timents. They have been further assured
that the modification of the laws affecting
their rights will be made prominent fea-
ture in the plans of the ''Lberals"- that all
that can be done, will be done, to eliminate
from the Constitution the suffrage restric-
ton clause, and in the meantime reduce the
tax to nominal amount, and settled pur-
pose prevail in the counsels and campaigns
to practically enforce the amended National
Constitution, in letter and spirit, as it re-
lates to the rights Of the colored people,
The more intelligent of the colored members
of the Legislature argue, that the success of
the National Republican party is a thing
they greatly desire, and will contribute al
they can to that end, but that tina. does not
bring them relief at home. On the CONTRA
ry, they urge, it is a provocation which
causes another turn of the screw upon them
by the State authorities, and that while the
nation at large realizes relief from the sue
cess Of the Republican party, they expert
ence only more aggravated grievances, with
no hope Of an abatement from the ma tional
authorities. Their cause of complaint is at
home, and it is there they want the knife of
reform to dc its work. They have been
SO far as it is in the power Of the Re-adjus-
tiers or Liberals to effect it, aud what they
cannot ach ieve now, they hope to accom-
plish hereafter when the entire machinery
of the government shall have been cap
tured.
| Such are the arguments and such the pol
icy which have brought the colored Republic
cans in close and tenacious association with
the Re-adjustera. They claim that, with
such ends in view. they can act with the
Re-adjusters and yet be in strict accord with
the Republican party of the country, for the
rights they seek to have fortified and pro-
tected, are those which the Republican or
ganization has had engrafted upon the laws
| h,t olo Il1 6od hu 10
islative devices and party practices.
The modification Of legislation asked by
the colored people, it is true, was promised
by the Debt Payers, with the assurance of
more certainty in its tsecurement, and that
cooperation with them would correspond
, with the controlling principle of the Repub-
lican party in national aft airs but they
seemed inclined to adhere to their new al
lies. with whom they had made common
cause, rather than those rep resenting the
party machinery. which had inflicted the
wrongs upon them.
This curious and instructive contest has
evolved one important fact, and that is there
is legislation affecting tine rights of the col
ored people which ought to be modified, and
that the Conservative party has imposed re-
strictions which are both unjust and uncon-
stitutional. Such a confession from both
| factions of what was once the Conservative
party, carries with it its own lesson. 1t
teaches that parties as well as mems sins
will find them out, and bring with them,
sooner or later, punishment corresponding
with the degree of the wrong imposed.
Whether the complications and coalitions
formed and sought Ito be formed by both
wings of the Conservative party are to re-
suit in breaking up the color line in politics
and re- casting parties upon vital govern.
mental issues of State aud nation, remains
to be seen. Such a consummation would
more than compensate for the turmoil land
tempest through which the State has passed,
and give assurance OF a more healthy con.
dition of public sentiment in future political
contests. That an effort will be made to
prevent any such a desirable end, is appa-
rent from the outgivings of several OF the
leading debt paying papers, which have al.
ready resorted to the last appeal of moribund
| U6mdOOgISLU WlItC uldu DdItys Ill
this they acknowledge their own weakness
in the forum of legitimate discussion, and
confess that they would rather see the Com.
monwealth lashed and torn by excited pas.
sion and prejudice, and all her great inter.
ests paralyzed, than surrender the ili-used
power they have SO long welded to the Diet
riment of the State.
Another significant fact is deduced from
the confusion, plots and counterplots which
have attracted general attention at Rich
mond. It is that the State debt is consid-
cred of secondary importance. 1t is a ques
ton that is scarcely mentioned in the heated
conflict of opinion that has been INDUCED
1t is thus shown that this whole controversy
has not been SO much for disposing Of that i'm
portant question as it is to secure control o.
the offices and patronage Of the State. Eacf
faction charges this upon the other, ant
when there is such singular concur renee
OF views as to this point, the conclusion ii
irresistible of its truth. 1t is the outs wh(
want to get in, and the ms who want tc
stay in, and not the rights of the creditors
or the integrity of the State, except as a
pretext, which have stirred up bad blood and
evoked challenge for trial OF strength
from the contending factions. This whole
controversy, indeed, promises to resolve
itself into mercenary struggle for thu
spoils of office, and dwarf into nothingness thu
ostensble issue which the people had beer
lead to believe was involved in the disputa.
tion.
The Political Prospect.
The political revolution which is now con
founding thu old Bourbons of Virginia, mus
necessarily reach farther than mere legisla
tive action. The calls we see to ''organize'
in all Of the papers fayoring the Re-adjust-
ers' movement means that future contests
are contemplated, and that it is the purpose
to enter them with more discipline, an(
greater precaution and determination thar
heretofore. We may expect, as result o.