Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-08-11
Virginia Democrats in Council.

In another column of the DEMO
Graf will be found the proceedings of
the late Democratic State Convention
of Virginia, and the declaration Of
principles adopted by that body. The
Democracy of the whole Union will
find ample ground for congratulation
in the action of their brethren of the
Old Dominion. The dark sombre
clouds which for while obscured the
political horizon in Virginia, have
been chased away by the manly and
courageous attitude assumed by the
constitutional party of the State that
is proudly known as the Mother of
Presidents" The angry head Of fac
ton was raised in vain. The corrupt
coalition was futile. The disgraccful
barter Of public patronage for the
support of hybrid organization fail.
ed of its purpose. Malone, the spawn
of the worst element of party politics,
has been rebukcd in a most signal
manner. The line of battle has been
clearly defined by the honest Democ.
racy of our sister commonwealth, and
the result has been placed beyond the
pale of doubt. Virginia, remembering
her illustrious history and recalling
the memory of her devoted sons, has
placed herself upon record in 20 un.
mlstakable manner "a to leave no
room for conjecture rs to the result of
the forthcoming election. Honesty,
and a faithful and conscientious per
formauce Of every obligation Is the
corner stone Of her political edifcc.
Her Democracy unawcd by the az.
gressive position of the reputation
party, composed of the personal fol.
lowers of Malone and the hungry of.
fee seekers who hover upon the ont.
skirts of power give to her people an
admirable declaration Of principles
and a ticket that is absolutely unas.
sailable. The convention was com
posed of the foremost men in the State.
There was an entire absence of the
usual element which ordinarily COM
pose political conventions Property
holders, men conversant with public
affairs and who are profoundly interest
cd in the maintenance Of the plighted
faith of the State and her material pros.
perity, made the nominations and for
mulated the platform. 1t was generally
recognized that Virginia was about to
enter upon n critical period Of her
history. She has everything at stake.
1t is the spokesman who threatens her
with disgrace and reprobation. Ma.
hone at the head Of political Hessians
Of both parties is aiming a deadly
blow at her integrity and seeks to OBJ
scure her fair fame with the black
cloud of avowed dishonesty. In this
endeavor he is sustained by the great
er portion of the Republican press of
the country, and has the passive if not
the active support of the Administra-
ton. Mabone's intentions are so trans.
parent that even the wayfaring man
can not mistake them. He plays
upon the ignorance of the colored
man and deludes the credulous white
with the stale story of low taxes and
a fair ballot. The conservative Dem
ocratic party of Virginia, fully and
fairly meets all the pregnant issues
advanced by the Republican.repudia.
zionist. The platform distinctly de.
clares for the free school system and
extends its advantages to children
without regard to color. And indeed
the representatives of the Democratic
party of Virginia need not have blaz-
oned this resolution to the world.
Their past record upon this important
question made an official declaration
unnecessary. Upon the question Of q
free ballot and fair count there is
no mistaking the voice Of the conven-
tion. Mr.. Malone, "me too" Mitchell
and Senator Cameron could not have
made more emphatic and explicit
demand for the sanctity of the ballot