New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-18

With this fact so we'll understood by every
body, Democrats as well as Republicans, all
the outcry and hallabaloo that our disap-
pointed friends of the opposition are making
over his independent action only makes their
chagrin more conspicuous and their actions
ridiculous. The disappointment that grows
out of counting chickens III the shell Is always
more apt to excite the risibiities OF the pub
lie than its sympathy.
But there is a very serious as well as an
absurd side to the affair. If the ridiculous
antics of the Bourbon Democracy appeal TO
the mrthful propensity, much more does the
calm and confident assurance with winch they
counted on Senator MahOnes support Tor no
other reason than because he had received
the votes of Southern Democrats, invite
thoughtful consideration. For herein they
disclose their settled conviction and belief
that the one thing upon which tho ruling
classes at the South must necessarily agree Is
opposition to the party which carried on the
war, put down the rebellion, and for twenty
years has administered the Government. upon
whatever other questions, local or National
they may differ, on this there must be no
wavering or hesitation. To contribute TO
Republican supremacy, to have political as
sOciatlons with Republicans is the one act OF
treason and that treason differs in nothing
except in the method of punishment from
the offence which bore that name during
the existence of the Conf lerate Government.
1t is treason to the South, once punishable
with death. visited now with social OStraClSm
and public condemnation. Senator MahOncs
alienation from his party began, as we under
stand it, with differences upon a question or
local interest. The circumstances OF his posi-
ton led him into an utilization with the Re-
pubIicans upon issues which TO them were
vitality important chief of which WAS their
right to free ballot and honest count. lie
found himself very shortly in line with
the Republicans of the Nation, and in
bitter antagOnsm to the Bourbon Democracy.
The local question on which Virginia Demo-
Gratis supported him brings him into no rela-
tons with Democrats in the Senate. The ques-
tiOns upon which he received the votes OF
Virginia Republicans are National, aud natur-
ally ally him with the Republicans in the Senate
And yet the Bourbon Democracy make
great cutlery of trcacnery and treason when
he takes the only position logically open to
him, and talk as though they had owned him.
They talk of treason! Why, the party that
elected him did it on the promise that he
would use his influence to give them equal
rights, free ballot and honest count. What
would it have been called if, under such cir
CumstanccS he had gone over and acted with
the Bourbon party that opposed him ami are
VIGOROUSLY hostile to equal rights and honest
elections in the South The debate disclosed
two things: first, the dim beginnings of an
effort to divide the Solid South upon the
only practical line, that of opposition to
BOurbonism and second, the desperate
malignty with which such Democrats as Ben
Hin, who pretend at times to deprecate sec
lonal politics will oppose it. There has been
some disposition on the part OF Republicans
to hold aoof from Senator Malone, but under
such attacks as the Bourbon Democracy are
making upon him he receives the cordial
sympathy and encouragement of all who are
opposed to the brutal tyranny of opinion
which makes the South solid tor the Bourbon
Democracy.