The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-12
How n Republican Journal Crows VSef
the Malone Movement.
From the New 1Ofk IIIIiVs' fVt'
VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS.


VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS.
Some months ago, when General William
Malone, by the votes OF The so.caled he
adjusters and OF certain colored men VINO
held the balance Of power in the Legls'a-
ture, was made United States senator
from Virginia, it was predicted that. nav
ing satisfied his ambition, he woul1 soon
be found working in the ranks OF the De-
mocracy, to which he had formerly De-
longed. Tue over-sanguiDe Bourbon lead
ers who made this prediction do not seem
to have been fully acquainted with the cha-
racter OF their man. No matter What
may be said against General Mahone,
it must, at least, be held to his creait
that he has never broken faith with
the men who trusted him. He did not re-
turn to the Bourbon faction In Virginia poll
tics. He not only remained true to the Re-
adjusters, who had been mainly instru-
mental In his election, but went out OF bis
way 10 give aid and comfort to the colored
men who had been their allies. 1t was
through his Influence thata number OF ex-
Confederate soldiers, who had no other
claim upon The State except that they had
rebeled against the nation, were removed
from political positions, and deserving ne
groes put in their places. Further, by
the aid OF his influence the Republi-
cans found it possible to quietly hold
their last convention in Staunton, Sc
curing ample hotel accommodations,
not only for their white, but also for
their black representatives. When that
Convention was held, ard since, there has
been the best OF reason to believe that, IN
the event OF General Grants nomination
at Chicago, Malone would have advocated
the electoral ticket chosen at Staunton.
After the announcement OF the re-
suit OF the national meetings, however, II
was fully expected not only by the Dem
ocratic leaders, but by many others, that
the Readiusters' organization would be
given up. and that Malone. together with
all his followers, would join the Virginia
Bourbons in supporting Hancock. This,
very much 10 the surprise OF most people,
Malone has up TO this time persistenily re-
fused to do. Indeed, he not only refused to
take any action in common with the Demo
Gratis, but held a convention OF his own and
nominated full set of presidential electors,
who, though pledged TO the support OF the
Cincinnati nominees, are nevertheless bit
terly opposed to all the gentlemen whose
names appear upon the electoral ticket
made by the Democrats.
The reason for this action on the part oil
Malone and the other leading Readiusters
is sufficiently plain to those who have any
degree of familiarity with the politics OF
Virginia. Senator. elect Malone has nothing
in common with the Bourbons OF his native
State. He is not one OF them, and never has
been. With the Senate so evenly divided as
it is, he knows that his power as an indie
pendent with a leaning toward the Republi'
can side would be far greater than any
be could hope to exert as caucus-bound
Democrat. Such position he could very
easily occupy, for he owes absolutely no al
legiance to the Democrats; on the contrary,
he was elected despite their opposition. and
be has, as far as can be learned, no particu'
lar love for the aristOcratlc fgure-hPad
nominated by the Bourbons at Gin
cinnati. Still, these reasons for bis
action In selecting an electoral ticket In OPP
position to the one regularly placed in the
field by the Virginia Democracy are not
those by which be is principally actuated.
His chief object is to hold together his
forces for the approaching State election,
when he can undoubtedly nominate Gov.
ernor and other officers who, by the united
votes of the ReSdiusters and large por'
ton OF the colored men, will sweep the
State. In a word, the Readiusters care lit
tie or nothing for the fate OF the national
ticket, while they care everything for tbeiI
State election, and know that in il they
need only to hold together TO be successful,