New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-11

Republicans not to throw tbemsolves away on
such a dsgraceful alliance. The tender regard
they exhibit for the reputation and character of
the Republicans is quite phenomenal in the
history of Southern politics. They are exceed
ingly anxious lest tho Virginia Republicans
should bring discredit upon the Republican
party OF the Nation by allying themselves with
q Democratic faction which does not recognize
Tie Bourbon standard of political honor. Do
anything but that" they say "R,in ticket
OF your own; nominate candidates indepen-
identity Of any such iniquitous alliance candi-
dates whom we should bc proud TO support
If We hadn't q ticket o. our own; only do not.
do not everlastingly dishonor yourselves and
the glorious old Republican party by voting
with the disreputable Anti Bourbons.n
The appeal is very powerful one. Simply
to see their old Bourbon opponents so exercised
on their behalf must take q strong hold upon
the feelings of Virginia Republicans. For it
comes upon them with great suddenness. They
have not been accustomed to such boneyed ex-
pressions of tender regard from that quarter
Instead or being advised with so much earnest
ness TO be careful of their own reputation and
not sully 1t by association with low-toned per-
sons, they have heretofore heard themselves
WIZ
irgs of creation, whose touch was contamiDa-
ton, and association with whom was dishonOr
and disgrace. 1t is only year or two ago that
III the Bourbon mouth they we're carpet
bageers," scallawags," "niggersn and
thieves" and all men were cautioned against
having anything to do with them. The tune is
somewhat changed. They are called upon
now, not to reform and become respectable but
their
danger of forreiting their claim to it by Voting
wiCh the Anti Bourbons and becoming a ma
jority. They are exhorted to escape the peril
by refusing the lure and continuing to he a
small but very respectable minority a minority
which, thought has neither nor power.
can rejoice III retaining tlc respect and admiia-
ti0n of its opponents. Nothing could be
more dlsnterested than the Bourbon counsels.
They would like, of course, to retain control of
the State Government and' to maintain She
solidity of the South, but that is nothing COM
pared with the intensity of their desire for the
preservation of the respectable character Of the
Republican party.
1he question, then, for Virginia Repubiicans
is whether or not they will remain ia minority
and continue to enjoy the new found consid
Grafton of the Bourbons or will forfeit, il and
H~'A'''''i
tho Bonrbons will lose oil respect for them if
they vote the Anti Bourbon ticket. Iii, tbcir
way to set down everybody who differs with
them as low and 0ialcDpt2bIc. But if is ,er-
hars worthy of consider ion, on the Other
hand, that the Authorizations are lighting the
Republican battle, arc making . stand for
free and fair ballot and honest count, and unop
the debt question differ with their opponents
only IN that while the Bourbons hold the debt
too sacred to touch in any way, either by repu
dating or paying tho Anti Bourbons are in
faYor OF making some movement. in the direc-
ton OF satisfying the creditors. The only real
lnduccment offered the Republicans To play inro
the Bourbon hands BY an independent ,icllet il
that thereby they will gain the respect of the
Bourbons and escape the contamination of what
the latter consider a disrcputable alliance.
The Bourbon solicitude for the reputation of
their opponents is beautiful TO behold. The
question is whether the Virginia Republicans
can be caught with that kind ~ chat.