The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-11-12
The Virginia Coalition and Its COnse-
QucnccS.


The disintegration of the Republican
party, which began in Chicago, was only
temporarily arrested by the unexpected
election OF Mr.. Garfield. That election was
the patchwork OF the leaders, covering up
the rents and tarcs in the party garments,
but leaving them threadbare and worn out.
The woof stock Of the party is worthless,
so that 1t will not take any mending. Under
the least strain, such as President Garfield
put upon it in the three months OF his term,
it split and divided until the most dexterous
party tailor cannot again match its seams or
harmonic its many colors. The November
elections area further Illustration OF the old
clothes condition Of this party. In New
York the Stalwarts would not reinforce the
Half-Breeds in Pennsylvania Wolfe car
ried of the best half OF the old breeches
in Maryland the rotten end Of GrantiSm
could not be mended TO the buckram tex
ture Of Blaine; but in Virginia the parti-
colored garments OF white and black stripes
(the reiormatory Uniform OF the new coaIi-
tion} will attract the greatest attention.
There the white viii shade into the black,
and gradually assuming a dirty, dusky ap-
pearance, give to the party that ashy color
Of the old cabin-smoked negro Of antc-bel-
lum days. Ii will be All odoriferous party,
rs much from what it wears rs from those
who wear the uniform.
This is the appearance which the Repub-
lican party presents to-day. But its politl-
cal condition is not more flattering. The
bossism Of Conkling and Cameron, defeat
ed and destroyed by men too independent
to be longer held in thraldom to a master,
has been transferred TO Malone in Virginia,
who may crack the party whip over ignO-
rant blacks without irritating the sensibili-
ties o. northern Republicans. But there
is spirit OF revolt abroad which will
not tolerate in Virginia what has been
condemned in New York and Penn
sylvania. The country is bent on gem
uine reform, i'm which intelligence
and virtue shall be active and potent.
The local strength gained in Virginia by
amalganation with reputation will he lost
to the party at the North, where public
credit is really esteemed to be n national
virtue. AIahone's vote i'm the Senate will
be fruitful Of trouble in the near future.
The coalition OF factions, having no prin-
ciple in common and actuated by the lust
OF place, can never form n permanent
organization or enlist the active sympathy
and cooperation Of earnest men whose
political life cmbodies real convic-
tons and is guided by recognized
principles. Malone has traded well;
the best of the bargain is with him;
ne brought into the coalition less and re-
ceiyed more than any political trader Of
which history has taken note. Grantism,
through Malone, has now real party in
Virginia, but what has the Republican
Marty made nv fi1is dicker1 The admins
tration of Mr.. Arthur has effected an inn
portant political move which strengthens
the Stalwarts, and which will bring the
solid Republican South TO the support OF
Grant In 1884; but has the Republican
party acquired either moral or political
strength by coalition wholly in the inter-
est OF General Granty Mr.. Conkling,
Senators Cameron, Logan, md other Stall
warts have acquired valuable ally, but
what has Blaine, or Window. or sherman,