Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-01-12

MIR. Mahone's Exposition,
We print clear and skIlful summary
EX-SENATOR elect Mahone's recent mani
festo defending the policy Of the Vir
GINA Readjusters. We do not choose
at present TO express any opinion as TO
the correctness of his statements or the
force of his arguments. We will mere
ly remark that it is er pdrte and needs
IN be taken with the reserve and eau
ton with which prudent men receive
sr pGrte representations. The fact
that 1t Is al elaborate aud ingenious
plea for repudiating large part Of the
State debt of Virginia has no tendency
20 proposes honest men in Ito favor.
The enemies OF Mr.. Malone allege
that he is trading politician who seeks
an underhand alliance with the Re-
publcans. II is supposed that in the
next Congress the Senate will be 90
evenly balanced that single vote may
turn the Scale. Mr.. Malone will come
toto the Senate under such circumstsn.
ces that be will not be strictly bound by
party allegiance, although ostensiblY
elected as Democrat. 1t will be IN
his power to give the Republicans lift
in critical emergencies, and it 10 cbarg.
ed by bis enemies that he has entered
into an understanding to do so, and that
be will give the organization OF the
Senate to the Republicans by voting for
Mr.. Gorham as Secretary Of that body.
Whether this charge, or this suspicion.
10 we'll founded will appear when the
Senate meets Immediately after the Alb
of March. There may not be a called
session ofthe new Congress, but whether
there is or not the Senate,in accordance
with long usage, after the inauguration
of new President, will immediately
assembled 10 consider such nsmins-
tons as he may choose to send in, and
espec Tally TO confirm Ills appointments
to places in his Cabinet. Many new
senators will he sworn in, and the
Senate will reorgaDiEe before proceed
ing 10 other business. II therefore, Mr..
Mahoue has made . bargain with the
Republicans, it will be apparent in
mediately after the Inauguration oil
President Garfield. If he votes tor
Gorhsm the charge Of his enemies will
be sustained.
II is alleged that in compensation for
bis expected service 10 giving TO the
Republicans the organization aud con
lrol OF the Senate his advice is to be
followed BY President Garfield in max
ing Federal appointments in Virginia.
We refuse to believe that the bargain.
if there be bargain, has any such ex
tent. 1t would be unwise for the new
President TO commit himself to the r0-
pudiation of State debt. The rela-
lions Of Virginia to its creditors do not
come under the cognizance Of the |
Federal Government, aud Mr.. Garfield
should not give his Official countenance
to scheme of State reputation, how
ever plausible the arguments may be for |
its adoption. If Virginia cannot pay
her debts, let her make her own ar
engagements with her creditors, aud
take the undivided responsibility. Ii
1t would be absurd and scandalous for |
Mr.. Garfield 10 cOnnlve at reputation.
even if poverty forces 1t upon the State.
1t is incredible that he will put the |
Federal patronage in Virginia at the |
disposal of the leader of the Readjus-
tiers. The controversy about paying lite
debts must be left to the decision OF the
State. The new national Administra.
ton must not soil it's honor by bestOw.
ing fsvors upon the regulators. II
Virginia cannot pay she must 6ud her
Justification in her absolute inability
but nobody outside of the State, and
least Of all President Garfield, need en-
dorse her pretence Of insolvency, which
is a disputed question IN the State
itself.
Mr.. Malone. however, makes a strong
appeal to the Republican party by the
entirely correct ground which he takes
IN support Of full negro equality against
the hidebound preiudices Of the BoLr-
bons. But can the Republicans afford
to swallow a mixed dose of reputation
and negro rightss 1t would be better for
the incoming Republican Administers.
ton to leave this controversy to be
fought out IN Virginia anS Get attempt to
gain the vote of Mr.. Malone in lhe
Senate by giving suosi endorsement
10 the policy Of the R.adjusters.--Nss
York Herald. Sh.