The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-01-10
virginia Politics.
To tie Editors Of the Dispatch:

| TO the EditOrS Of the Dispatch:
| will ask. sirs. space in your columns
in which to briefly discuss the political
statu, and outlook Of Virginia; and | ask
| il without apology to such aS may chance
TO follow my pen in its subsequent wan
derings, though it is with hesltancy and
difidcnee that seek 10 give publicity e.
my sentiments. or more probably concerts,
fearing lest, like grrmlcss seed, they fall Ia
perish. One word OF explanation rather
than apology is, however, appropriate
viz, that am no egOtiSt with regard to the
merits OF my views, but rather hope that
as the oak which defies an oceans might
grows from the little acorn, so from my
crude ideas may enanate a growth OF views
and thought which may serve to keel and
rib the policy Of the State for years to come.
A crisis in the affairs OF Virginia is ap'
preaching which will vitality affect our po-
litical. moral, and material welfare. To
meet il there is a sore need OF men gifted
with that eminent quality which the Latin
called "VirluS." Courage OF the Bob
Acres order, somewhat prevalent nova
DAYS, will not avail; but Virginans OF the
| olden order can alone raise our State from
the dust OF adversely and the ashes OF hui
initiation. Scntimentality must be discard
ed. but not that sentiment from which
springs the holy amor pdtrjP. Fear must
be ignored and that passion now recolling
upon our political Joves must be repre-sed.
| now proceed with my subject: First
and logically, cause should be considert d ;
and | should discuss the sources from
which flow the waters grown stagnant in
our political Poniine marshes. | should
seek the portal through which the money
changers and vendors of unhOly wares
have entered our temples with desecrating
effect. But these causes are patent 10 all,
and need not be recited.
| Turning therefore to the present, | VEN
ture 10 assert, after some observation and
thought, that the Conservative party Is
dead The people-the same that have cru
cited God and dctied man-haye condemn
! ed ii, and declared its mission ended, and
the party is no more. Without discussing
this proposition, which, il not seli-eyidenl,
| is not at present dcmon>trable, rs many still
gather around the fallen idol seeking to re-
vive it. let me speak for a moment Of the
| Readiustpr party, which now presents it.
| self rs the most prominent eXcrescence upon
our body polite. The formation OF the Re-
adjusier party in its elements bears rc>em-
blance somewhat to the Wing party when or
gqniZed in 1886 and '37, when incongruOus
elements. bad and good, bank men bowling
before the political Aspasia OF America,
anti-bank men Jealous for the Con-
stitution and honest financial bases, pro-
slavery men welded to their slaves
as Ephraim TO his idols, and anti
slavery men venomous with pharsaic inycc-
tive, all united under a common banner.
The elements OF the Readiuster party are
Just as incOngruous-" Puritan and black
leg" Bletil and Black George" codlescing
and combining. Political diynes and po-
iticaI gamblers; men honest in conviction
and men TO whom the word honesty Is but
heavenly sandal TO cover the cloven foot
horny handed sons OF toll and brazen-
toDgued dead beatS-such are the strange
bed.fellows 10 be found in the Readiuster
party.
The policy OF this party Is well forecast:
Ill The spells TO the yctOrs l. their van
dalic motto; and, in truth, better things can
scarce be expected OF men either partisans,
pirates, or demagOgues.
(2.j The judiciary OF the State Is to be
prostitu,ed to the success OF party and lis
lust Judges being elected, through them
assessors OF property are 10 be appointed,
with their scales OF taxable values already
prepared and calculated to demonstrate the
, ruth OF readiustment principles with re.
ga rd to the debt. Through these judges
cleo. ion officers are to be appointed to con-
troll tie polls IL ne ,essary. Through them
all imp ediments, whether OF law or tradi-
ton, are to be removed. Such a policy is
execrable. The debt question Is an all.im.
portant one. but corrupt, political, or de-
pendent iudkr inry history OF all the world
teaches TO be d. sastrous to n community.
(3) This party. proclaiming a crusade for
rights, breaches hat doctrine OF uRchris-
Iian ages, "the end doth justify the
MEANS" aud excitin,g passion, imposing |
upon credulity, and appealing TO cupidiiy,
thereby forms basis upo1 which TO place |
ne fulcrum Of demagogucp', and with the
ever OF negro votes propose TO move the |
political world OF Virginia.
need go no further, for not much skill |
n political hOroscopy Is needed to read the .