National Republican., 1880-06-24
VIRGINIA POLITICS.

The Alexandria Gazette smells danger
sooner and has more candor than any dem
ocratic journal within the circle Of our OBJ
servation. 1t thus early in the campaign
discovers that
There is still prevailing in several portions
of the state q dread that the read usters, by
persisting in their efforts to divide the con-
servative party, will not only secure the re-
election of Mr.. JoRGENsEN to congress from
the Petersburg district, but be the means of
electing republicans from several other dis
tricts, aud, worse than all, of eecting the re-
publican presidential electoral ticket; all, of
course, TO be done by plurality votes, but the
effects to be just as dangerous as though
carried by a majority of the people of the
state In two or three of the con-
the majority of the voters, aud the conserya-
tive candidates therein have heretofore been
elected only by the most strenuous efforts of u
thoroughly organized and united party. To
divide that party now by running readjusting
and debt.payng candidates in those districts
where tue colored people, TO II man almost, will
vote the republican ticket, will be to insure
defeat, aud with the issue as important as it is
such course will render those who pursue it
itis;!s liable TO a more serious charge than that
OF siliiness The leaders OF the readjusters
have heretofore been considered at least rea-
sonable men. II they are such, surely some
means can be adopted by which the danger to
which we refer can be avoided. In many por-
tions of the state there is no such danger, but
it is folly to ignore any longer its existence in
others, and in those we hope, as much for the
sake of the gentlemen who control the read
iustcrs' party as for that of the state aud
country, that measures may at once be taken
to restore conservative unity and harmony so
far as relates to national politics. The demo-
| cratic majority in the house is too small TO he
running any risks about it now, and the i'm
portance Of electing democratic president
none can estimate too highly; and If both
should be lost through the action OF the Vlr-
ginia readiusters the load of opprobrlun they
will have to carry will be grievous one, ana
have no cOmpeusating benefits, for the rcpub-
licans run upon debt-paying platform aud
cannot afford to recompense them.
This attempt to flatter or BULLDOGS the
readjusters now by reminding them that
they are regarded rs reasonable men, or by
arning them that if they contribute to
the overthrow ofthe bourbon dynasty they
will be covered by load of opprobrium,'
we apprehend will be loves labor lost
The readiusters of Virginia are intelligent
and patriotic citizens who have discovered
its hest friends, and hence they have deIib.
rfately made up their minds to reduce the
power OF mischiefor that faction in every
possible laudable manner. They under
stand also, that just ia proportion as the
hourbons IRE permitted to have power in
the nation, they will, as far as practicable
use it TO inirench themselves in the state
and hence the only hope of their final
overthrow is TO cut off their federal sup
plies, as well as those of local character
The readjusters must be aware of the fact
that they can in no way profit by
the election of conservative, So
called, member Of congress, or even a
president, for they have committed the un-
pardOnable offense Of breaking the con-
seryatve idols in their temples aud are not
to be forgiven even though they allow them
selves to be used at this time They have
already shattered the bourbon power in the
state, and they cannot well afford to ceAse
firing until the work of overthrow is fully
completed. The readiusters have struck
for supremacy in the state, and they will
not aid that purpose by listening TO the
syren song Of the bourbons which is wooing
them into their net, They must not yield
iot or little Of their main purpose in the
controversy now it they would make sue
cess certain, They gained the state legislature
and secured United States senator in their
first battle, thus so far erippling the bour-
bon position. They can go on conqrering
aud TO conquer until the bourbon power OF
Virginia lies PROSTATE Mt their feet, Then
they can dictate terms; but never if they
surrender their present advantage.
1t is to he hoped that the fears Of the
Gazette may he fully realized in regard to
the election Of members Of congress, The
first district can and should be carried