The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-12
WAS 1T WISE?

AS 10 the WISDOM 81 tnaL p1ilcN, every
thing depends upon the accuracy OF GeEe-
raj MahOne's calculations. Ii, a. he Claims.
:he ReaGjusters have made such inrOads in
the Funders' party that they can elect their
ticket by plurality over the Conservative
and Republican parties, then he Will have
accomplished his purpose in the most en-
phatic way. But that is not the only loop
hold OF escape; for if, as is quite possible,
the Readiusters' ticket should fail tc re-
ceive plurality OF the vote Of the State, yet
should still have majority over the Fund.
els' ticket, he would be abe-and with
justice-to claim victory for his party, and
shift the Onus of HancOck's defeat to the
Conservative minority. 1t was perhaps the
consciousness that he had two strings 10 his
bow that made this archer so bold when be
drew it upon the Convention. But Republic
cans should not deude themselves with the
idea that on this account the Readiusters
Will make no effort to capture the Republi
can vote OF the State. From the moment
the fNrty-odd cOlored delegates arrived in
town until the hour OF their departure they
were button-hOled Increasingly, and the
strongest pressure brought TO bear 10 force
their acquiescence in the action OF the Con-
ventiOn; and from now until election-day
the Readiusters will labor with the Repub-
icans in every district to the same end.
They know perfectly well that If the 10000
Republicans who are practically dsfran-
chsed by the infamous poll-taX Of 81 per
head arc qualified to vote by the payment Of
that tax they will hold the balance OF
power: but they profess TO believe that the
money will not be forthcoming from the
Republican party in the North, or, il it
-
never be applied TO the purpose
for which it was intended. Said
Judge Mays, a Republican Readiusier,
from Fincastle, to the writer: "If the Re-
publicans send money down here to pay
the poll-taX OF the DISTINGUISHED voters OF
the State, they must conide it for distribu-
ton either to the 'gripsackers the Office
seekers-in which ease it VIII probably be
stolen, or to the Readiusters, who will use
it, you may be sure, for their own ticket.
There is, perhaps. more truth in this re-
mark than it Is altogether pleasant TO ac-
knowledge. What the Republicans have
most TO fear, however. is that their brethren
in Virginia, despairing OF electing their
own ticket, will eRdeavor TO strengthen
their position In State politics, either by
staying away from the polls altogether next
November or voting the Readjustfr ticket.
1t would he worse than foolish TO ignore
the fact that many sincere Republicans be-
iieye that they have more 10 gain from the
triumph OF the Read listers In Virginia than
from the election OF Garfield 20 The presi.
dency. Nor Is this belief without reason.
ANOTHER BOND OF SYMPATHY.
Another bond OF sympathy between the
Republicans OF Virginia and the Readjust.
ers. and one whose strength should not be
UNDERESTIMATE, Is the ostracism TO which
both have been subjected. Nothing has
contributed so much to the qualification OF
the Read1usters' party as the malignancy
with which its members have been bounded
ps The "riff-raif" and "scum" OF the Com
monwealth. 1t Is true that personal abuse
has abounded on both sides, but the effect
upon the Readjuster, has been to set them
against the old arlstocracy of Virginia, and
the wall OF family pride-that barrier OF ice
which yields neither 10 the warmth of
smiles nor the tears OF entreaty-must
sooner or later 80 down before their