National Republican., 1881-12-09
Tic NiraInia senatorial ELECTION.

In reply to certain loose published
statements concerning the political af-
fairs of Virginia it may as we'll be stated
that the President of the United States
has mt expressed any opinion as to who
ought or ought not 10 be chosen United
States Senator from Virginia. 1t is well
known that he has great confidence in
the sagacity of General Malone, and the
event has fully proven that the conf
dencc was not misplaced.
Ex-senator John i. Lewis is a high
minded, patriotic, just, and generous
man. He would not accept the senator
ial Office at the hands of Bourbons and
lewd Republicans willing to commit po-
litical adultery with them. If he enters
the senatorial contest it will be in the
Readjustcr caucus, and by the decision
there made he will chceriully abide. lie
would not recognize as his political friend
any pretended Republican who would
enter into an alliance with Bourbon
Democrats to overthrow the Liberal
cause.
THE LIBERAL PARTY IN VIRGINIA is ONE
PARTY, AND NOT TWO. 1t is not made up of
Democrats and Republicans; il is made
up of patriotic and generous men who
ceased to be either the one or the other
in order that all might on equal terms,
oppose the Bourbon Democracy. 1t would
be dishonest now for any man to claim
precedence because of any superior right
growing out Of previous political afiiia-
tions. Mr.. Riddleberger and Mr.. Lewis
are equals in the party now, as they were
while engaged in the campaign. The
choice between them will be one of mere
personal preference among the Liberal
members of the Legislature.
The story that there has ever been any
understanding between Representative
men of differing political antecedents in
Virginia that in the event of Liberal
success the Senatorship should go to a
man of Republican antecedents is wholly
destitute of foundation. The masses of
those who have acted with the Republi-
can party take no stock in any efforts to
draw old party lines in Legislature
elected upon RGV party lines
sumo to intrude any opinion as to who
ought to be elected Senator from Virginia.
1t only appeals to all Liberals to give no
heed to counselors who would now dissi-
pate their great victory by attempting to
force divisions in the party. The black
men of Virginia will not turn their backs
upon Malone and Riddleberger to please
anybody. The colored members of the
Virginia Legislature will not consent to
part company with their white Readius-
ter-Democratic friends in order TO get
into bed with the Bourbon Democrats
If any Bourbon Republicans can still be
found to play the part of pander to bring
about such vile meeting they will ac-
complsh nothing but calling attention to
their own inflmy. The name of Repub-
hcanism has been used long enough in
the South as convenience for Bourbon
lacqueys. Whoever plays into the hands
of the Bourbon Democracy hereafter will
be branded as mere slave of that party,
and no amount of Bourbon influence in
Washington will secure him Federal
Office as the price of his treason.
We are not aware of the existence of
any Republican traitors in Virginia. We
are anxious to believe that the mean
talk which we see in the Bourbon Post
and in the more ultra Bourbon Star of
this city as TO quarrels among the Lib
erals in Virginia and threats of bolt is
all Of Bourbon Democratic origin. We
are familiar with the politics of Virginia,
and rejoice to be able to assure the coun-
try that there are no dissensions in the
Liberal camp. There is an anti-Bourbon
majority Of twenty-four on joint ballot,
and the majority ofthatmajority willname
the candidate for Senator. The gentle
man so named will be elected, and in his
election all will participate. Until the
end is reached the public will of course
be told every day from Bourbon
sources that the poor dear Republicans
are being awfully abused, and are not
going to stand it. We have to say once
for all that the Republicans who made
the coalition are wholly satisfied with the
situation.
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