The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-02-09
what q Northern Republican journal
Thinks of General NahOEe's Plan.
XIRGINIA AS An IXaMPI.E.

N1BGlNlA AS IN fA AMPLE.
The announcement tht the party In Tir-
ginia led by the new senator elect, General
Malone, proposes TO run an Independent
| electoral ticket, is yery significant. Sueh a
! movement would be the etIeclual breaking
up OF the Dem cratic party in the State.
| 1t would be fatal TO all hopes Of elecing 4
| Democratic President, unless by an alliance
with these independents; ana he progress
O. the canvass would quite certainly pre-
vent any such alliance. The extreme. I'M
Questioning devotion to tn Democratic par
" in that State has been shattered. The party
1 organization has lost its hold. TIE young,
! lbcral-miaGcd citizens Of the State have
come up t. the point that they will 10
longer connect their fortunes with the
BGurbons. They want TO put virginia into
| the line OF the pros Gritty hich aiIly floods
other States. They are intent on develop.
| ing their natural resources not only. but
also on DEMONSTRATING the school system,
the resW Ct for labor and The popular Opin-
ION which contribute 50 muCll 10 draw i'm
migration to the States of the West. although
the latter offer no GREATER material attrue-
tons to families seeking new home. De-
mOcraUc supremacy has been barrier 10
the growth and progress Of Virginia. and
its people are at work 10 strike down tilat
barrier.
1t Is perhaps but naturalthat they should
stop a. the halfway staten of indei endent
political action. In effect that is jnst az IA
tai 10 Democratic hopes or nafionai control.
With break in the soils South al tie outset
OF the canvass the certainty Of Democratic
defeat in the presideDtiIi election would
drive those who only want to be on the
winning side 10 support the Republican
1otn on no
part OF Virginia would doubtless trans
fer TO the Republican column not less
than six Of the States Of The South.
1t would let loose the compact Gee
tlonal force, and more IT it than perhaps
the most sanguine believe would 90 to the
Republican phalanx, not simply because its
success would be assured. but because eX-
perence has proved tlWt Republican princl-
pies and influences are needed 10 bestOw on
Louisiana and Georgia and Tennessee, as
well as the Carolinas and Virginia. the
W ealth and development which the middle
and western States are enjoying in such
large degree.
The theory il put forth that by such in
dependent action Virginia might become
the arblter OF The presidential election.
ThseontIngency does nc. seem to us pos.
sibe, and certainly it is not desirable.
The whole country il Disguised with The
suggestion that the elec ion NAV be cast
into the House of Representatives, and
thus De La Matyr be placed IN pos
ton where he can by controlling In
diana's vote name the next Executive.
Any such power left with a faction In
q single State or with a politician in Con-
gress would be demolalizing, and the
source Of vast corruption in possibility ADD
suspicion, and probably also in reality.
Neither party wants the election to be put
up at asetion, where the highest bidder may
expect 10 get tie casting vote Of any State.
IL an Independent body Of electors repre-
senting Virginia were 10 be charged with
choosing between the two great parties,
this would be the inevitable result.
With brave, frank, conciiatory canvass
throughout the Union, which would render
II certain that the North would reassert its
devotion 90 nationality and the principles
which triumphed in the war, and for cor
dial peace on those conditions, Virginia
could not stop with an independent move
ment against the Democracy. The wise
leaders OF the progressive classes in the
South would make haste 10 connect them
selves with the majority OF the thinking.
constructive people OF the
other States, and the Republican majority
at the polls and in the electoral college
would be so oferw helming As to m irk the
ihll dawn OF an era Of good feeling.