Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-04-14
Mixed Politics.

within the State, who have not paid
very close attention to the subject, do
not understand her present political
condition.
The last election gave the Conser-
vative Readiusters small majority
over the debt paying Conservatives in
the Legislature. A sufficient number
of Republicans white and black, were
induced to unite with the Readjusters
TO give them a good working majority
in both houses. The Republicans who
came into this alliance received their
share of Offices and the two elements
were united upon the debt question, and
upon the election of State OTHERS
General Malone who has heretofore
stood as a stanch Conservative was
elected to the United States Senate
This would have satisfied the ambition
ofmost Of politicians. But it was DIFF
fe-ent with our newly elected United
States Senator. He imagined himself
the leader of large political party,
and his schemes for political aggran-
dizement soon became manifest. So
embittered had be become against that
portion OF the Conservative party, who
were IN favor Of paying what they
believed to be justly due the creditors
of the State, that all, whose terms Of
office had expired, were made to UNDER
stand that they must give way for a
Readiuster. 1t was the boast Of some Of
the organs of the party that the color line
was wiped out and radical negroes stood
a;better chance for State Office than a
white debt paying Conservative. Had
General Malone and his subordinates
stopped at this point, he might haye
reapcd the full fruits OF his victory. HIS
grasping ambition, however, would not
permit him to stop here, and $50 conf
dent was be, IN the security Of his po-
sition that be imagined that all who
agreed with his views upon the debt
question could be led by him and would
place not only the destiny Of the State
but their own liberties in his hand
See the result. His next move, en-
dorsed by several journals and ap-
proved by resolution at the meeting of
Readiusters in a number Of counties,
was that known as the Independent
Electoral Ticket. A more deep laid
scheme to deceive the people was
never devised by man. The agitation
of the debt question was to be kept up
among the people, and the people were
TO be induced to vote for an Electoral
Ticket that was not committed 10
either party. The people whose iber'
ties were TO be thus trihed with, were
expected to give over their right to
select president to twelve politicians,
who were to use their discretion in
casting the vote, and these twelve
politicians to be under the guidance
and direction of Gen. Mahone's party.
Could more favorable opportunity of
selling the State and the rights of her
citizens be desired by the greatest po.
litical trickster Of the country But in
this scheme difficulties were to be en-
countered. If they should depend upon
Conservative Readjusters they would
fall short ola majority, for they could
not expect that every voter who had
voted in favor of Mahone's views on
the debt question. would forsake his
party and unite in scheme which was
only fully understood by the leaders,
They saw plainly that this would not
work, another well devised plan was
suggested. Under this plan some of
the electors were to be Conservatives
and some were to be Republicans. This
might draw votes from both parties and
o sufficient number might be induced
"to 90 it blind" to make the ticket a
success. A fine mixture this would be.
1t would answer the purpose, but will
the people swallow it? Will men who
have been supporting the Democratic
ticket, because they firmly believe IN
the principles of that party, be satisfied
with voting a ticket which is six"
elevenths Democratic and dvs-eleYenths
Republican We have too much con-
fdenee in the intelligence of our people
to believe that they can be caught in
such trap. He may endeaYor 10 pro.
duce en- excitement over war and re.
construction interest and coupons, but
the people have sufficient intelligence to
know that they fare not to be sold to
Grant or any other ambitious politician
by these oft repeated cries. When it
Is time to act upon state or local
matters, the people will consider these
questions, and will vote as they-believe
their interests require them to vote /;
but they will notallow these question 8
to lead them away from the party which
is opposed to the centralizing schemes
of the National Republican party. They
want one that is either Democratic or
Republican. They will express by
their vote their choice for President,
and viii not. commit that important
right of theirs to any twelve politicians
Of The State. The people, we feel as
sured, will not swallow his sugar coated
poisonous pill. 1t would be well for
Malone and his party to abandon 30
suicidal a scheme. If they do not, they
will soon End that the party that has
started out with the intention of con-
trolling aud ruling the people Of this
State will soon be reduced to small
squad consisting of one United States
Sonaf0r and q ,,f,rnher IF v,of,t;.;.. II