Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-05
Mahcnc,, Hor.e Another Color.

Gen. Mahone's address 10 the pIblic, about
which so much has been said and written OF
late Is out and IL Is totally dffereh5 IN charac-
ter from what was predicted by some woo pro-
fessed TO know. There can be no question as to
the authenticity Of the address; 1t was signed
by Gen. Malone and published In me recog-
nized organ of himself and his party. There Is
not single word In the document that can be
construed into purpose or desire to unite the
readjuster and the republican parties Of Viz
ginia On the contrary, Gen. Mahones strict
ures upon grip sack republicans"-aS he terms
them-are as severe as his condemnation
OF "bourbon- democrats - He Classics
both alike as enemies Of readjustment
and of readjuSterS, and warns the
latter that they VIII have to fight against the
republicans and democrats In the next state
election. The whole tenor OF the address Is In
behalf OF reorganization OF the readjuSter
party with the view of carrying the state cleo.
ton next fall. That is the. purpose General
Malone has In view, and his political course
and actions will undoubtedly be shaped 50 as to
aid that purpose. Instead of endeavoring to
refute the accepted theory that he and his
party are committed 10 a readJus. ment or seal
ing down OF the state debt, this address def
nitely proclalmS that as the chief object OF the
party and declares that that object will be
Tigidly adhered to. In speaking of the duties
devOlying upon the next legislature IN relation
to the debt question, Gen. Malone asks: ''Shal1
settlement be enforced which shall recognize
the last dollar Virginia justly owes and secure
to the creditor the certain payment OF the
highest rate of interest her revenues can
meet?" He declares that this Is all that should
be done or ought to be attempted; and right
here Is the point On which he and hI5 followers
dif1er from the general sentiment Of the cOun-
TylNx
for the state TO pay as much as she can; that
that is not reputation. Public sentiment In
sists that Ii is wrong for the debtor TO deter
mine the extent OF his ability to pay and to say
to the creditors that Is all you shall have The
creditors are not allowed voice In the settle
ment at all. Public opinion pronounce5
this policy reputation, In part, at least,
Ena 1t Is this that has fixed the
faint OF reputation upon the Virginia read
tusters. Gen. Malone very positively declares
that his party intends to abide by this policy
and make IT rule the state If possible. Conse-
quently the barrier Of alleged reputation
which hitherto Is said to have prevented the
read1usters and republicans from coming
together has not only not been removed By Gen.
Malone but. on the contrary, he has marked
Its position more plainly than before. He says
In effect to republicans and to democrats too:
tend for an enforced REIMBURSEMENT OF the state
debt at the hands of the next legislature; Ii
you want 10 join US In the fight, come on"
That Is as far as he goes towards opening the
road to any new political affiliations. There
Is undoubtedly large element of the
white population OF Virginia which
believes with Gen. Malone that the state
cannot possibly pay all her debt, and that an
honest policy moves her to pay as much as she
can. 1t Is quite probable that with his ability
and power OF organization, Gen. Malone can
increase his element OF strength, but to do this
he must continue his adherence to democracy-
10 the name, at least. A large majority of the
white people Of the state believe 10 democracy,
and should Gen. Ma1one cut loose entirely
from that party and join the republicans, he
would be left with but little white support In
the state. He knows this and knows further
that bis success In his present purpose OF build
ing up party that will control the state de-
ponds upon his clinging to the name OF demo-
GRAFT He has shown himself TO be more liberal
than that party In Virginia, 1t Is true, and he
Will endeayor gradually to recruit and liberal.
tze his readjuster party, no doubt; but he will
not yet abandon his right to call himself a
democrat.