The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-11-18
Gen Malone and the United States
Senate

As we have before stared, Gen. Malone 8
political position is exciting considerable
speculation and comment in and out of
| Virginia, and various coalitions and cOmbi-
nations are suggested as likely to grow out
of his independent attitude in the Z. S.
Senate. These speculations are based upon
the assumption that he will be able to hold
the balance of power in that body as be-
tween the two parties, and be very infiuen-
tial il determining its organization. We are
not informed as to Gen. Mahone's plans,
nor of the calculation he has made. based
upon his ano. nalous political attitude and
relation to the closely balanced parties in
the Senate. But of one Thing we are GER
tain, the administration of Gen. Garfield
will engage in no dickering with Gen Ma
hone or any one else. Ii he should vol
unfairly co operate with the Republicans Of
that body and support the policy OF the Re-
publican party. as it may be defined by
the President and his advisers. we have no
doubt his services would be recognized just
like those of any other friend of the admin
istration. But there will be no pre-arranged
bargains, no petty trading encouraged or
recognized by the Republican party. or its
representative men. As a matter of prin-
ciple. proposition of that kind would be
Indignantly resented. Nor could Gen. Ma
none afford to prostitute the position of
United States Senator to any such bad pur-
poses. We give him credit for more sense
and more honesty than to suppose for a
moment that he would enter upon the dis
charge of the trusts OF his high position as
political gambler, placing his reputation
and that of his State upon the chances of
success involved in betraying his convic-
tions of right and the confidence implied in
his election to the Senate. We have no
doubt Gen. Malone will meet the re-
sponsibilities of Senator of the United
States in accordance with justice and right
and be guided in his votes and his afiila-
tons by sense of duty to Virginia and the
whole country. His freedom from obliga-
tions to either of the political organizations.
will enable him to do this, and serve Vir-
ginia and the country with more effective
ness than If he were to place himself at the
disposal of the strict discipline of either
party.
Those who criticise Gen. Malone and at
tribute mere mercenary purpose in his con
duct as United States Senator do Injustice
to his sagacity. He is certainly not fool
that he would expose himself to the scorn
of mankind by selling himself for mess of
pottage. Nor would the Republican party
invite the condemnation of all honest men
by proposing to purchase saleable article
to secure temporary advantage in the Or
ganization of the United States Senatc.-
The moral sense of the country will toler-
ate nothing but an open-day transaction in
the organization of the most august politi-
cal body in the world, and neither Gen. |
Malone nor the Republican party could ex-
pect to escape from the virtuous indigna-
ton of the nation were they to enter into
any understanding that would not bear the
strictest scrutiny under the calcium light of
the nations honor.