National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-04-20
Mr.. Jorgensen and the Virginia Cam
paign.

just. and is willing to correct any mis-
takes it may make, if requested
in a proper manner to do so. On Fri
day last the Edening Srdr published
report Of the visit of delegation to the
White House, composed of Virginians,
headed by Congressman Jorgensen. We
commented the next morning upon the
| facts as stated in the Star. Mondays
ISaT contained card from one of the
delegation and report of what Mr.. Jor-
gensen had also said in correction of the
first report. We made some further COM
ments on this, stating our doubts as to his
position concerning the coalition move
ment in Virginia. This brought him to
a defining of his position, and on Mon
day he requested the publication by us of
his letter as it appeared in yesterdays
Post. This was peremptorily declined
not from any unwillingness to give him
the opportunity to sethimself right in our
columns, where he had been criticised,
| but because he had matter in his letter
which set US wrong.
| The only portion of his letter interest
ing to the public is that in which he states
| his opinions in regard to the political
| situation in Virginia. It is as follows:
| As far as my opinions are concerned in regard
the present political situation in Virginia. they
can be expressed in very few words, to wit: The
Republicans should maintain their party organi-
zation and not affiliate with any organization of
any faction or party outside Of them. The State
| Central Committee should call Republican con-
vention, whose province il should be, through the
regularly authorized representatives of the Re-
publicans throughout the state, 10 do whatever
| would be most conducive to the interests of the
Republican party, its success in the future. and
| the maintenance of its principles, whether that
should be an alliance with the Readjusters or not
The latest information that have of Senator
Mah0ne's views is that the Republicans should
amalgamste or fuse themselves with his Read
iUsters. This ] look upon as suicidal to
the future Of party in the State of Vir
ginia, and a Dlons;rous proposition! When
we remember that at the last election the Repub-
licans east 3d. 600 aud the Readjusters $1,000 votes
that we should abandon organization and support
their candidates, elect their representatives to
Office, principally by and through our votes, do
not think that any sane person who is Republi-
can and who is honest in his convictions would
ask of Us any such an arFangement-such sacri-
fces-and if success should result to the Read
iuster party from such fusion to be told after
ward, with the utmost complacency, that we had
done no more than our duty, and should go about
our business and be satisfied with the result!
do not favor any such analgaInation, and as long
! as 1 can make my protests of any avail against
such proceeding, shall continue TO do So act
ing as honestly and for the best interests
principles and welfare OF the Republican party of
Virginia.
The Readjusters have already called
State convention, to assemble June 2.
The colored people of Virginia, consti-
tuting eleven-twelfths of the Republicans
of the State, have already spoken in their
State convention with substantial unanim-
ity for General Malone as their leader.
A large proportion of the white Republi-
cans, including ex-senator John F. Lewis,
who is chairman of the Republican State
Central Committee, are in hearty accord
with General Malone. The Readjusters
in the presidential campaign were $4,000
strong. but in 1879, when there were only
State issues, they were more than twice
as numerous. No negro can vote this year
in Virginia until he has paid one dollar
capitation tax. There are 10000 negroes
entitled TO vote upon such payment. The
Readiusters of Democratic antecedentS are
of course the main reliance for success
this year against the Bourbons. They
are for fair elections, free schools, repeal
of capitation tax, abolition of the whip
ping-post (which is an engine for dis
franchisement), and the best attainable
nf hn Sf,t lalaf TlaH,
not be enlisted in behalf of Republican
ticket. They do not ask the Republicans
to accept ticket at their hands. They
invite all who will support the Readjuster
ticket to aid in its formation. This
makes genuine union of the anti-Bour
bon vote possible, and there can be no
doubt it will be realized. If the Repub-
licans remain aloOf from the Readjusters
in the choice of delegates to the conven-
ton and set up a State convention oftheir
own it will be perilous to the harmony
of the movement for a combination.
Jealousies would spring up, and the re-
suit would be doubtful. In our earnest
ness to prevail upon Republicans to see
| this situation as it really is wei may some
times condemn too strongly those who
talk of separate party action. But it is
difficult to see what argument is neces-
sary more than the statement of the case.
Some apprehension is expressed lest
this coalition or amalgamation plan
would place the Republicans atthe future
mercy of men who are not Republicans
in national contests This seems to us
wholly unfounded. The Republican State
| Central Committee will not be disbanded.
If the party in which the Republicans
| find themselves this year should not be
| in accord with them in national contest
hereafter, what more simple than for the
present State Committee to summon all Re-
publicans to party convention. With
the capitation tax repealed (for which the
Readjusters contend this year, and with
the right to vote fully established in the
State, the Republicans will be stronger
than ever, and can use that strength in
conjunction with their Readjuster friends,
or in separate party, as the condition of
political affairs may then demand. Rival
interests in the National Republican party
would be heard through the State Central
Committee of the party in Virginia, which
would be the proper organ for initiating
steps for the choice of delegates
to a national convention. a thor
ough fusion of all anti-Bourbon voters,
then, cannot affect unfavorably the
interests of any political party or element
other than the Bourbon Democracy.
With such ends clearly attainable, why
should Republicans fritter away their
strength to keep up the Republican Or