The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-11-15

III all 0fKanfzcu roticv WY (<,s
dangerous element kept under ny PaDlio
sentiment or a display OF brute iorsc'
The dissatisfied individuals have all diner,
emit aims ana purposes, but they arc III
alike at war with society. They constitute
sn element constantly varying IN num-
bers and In influence. There Is no Clear
line which separates the good citizen rom
the bad The division Is vague ana indeii-
mite. and numbers are passing constantly
from one side 10 the other. III J. were
possiDlc to divide the good and the cyil
into two great parties, in each contest Tue
rood would triumph. The danger lies In
tbc confusion Of ideas and OF issues. Men
az influence and cspectabilty-menw VINO
have the GOOD OF all ut heart-separate INTO
two hostile camps, and each appeals 10 the
mob for aid. They buy votes with gold OF
with drink; they stir up evil passions
they make rash promises Impossible 10
keep: they assail the very foundations OF
society In wild, reckless way, losing slghl
az ultimate consequences in their desire
for immediate victory.
Neither the Democratic nor Republican
party Is wholly corrupt. The recognized
leaders are men Of personal integrity men
of patriotic impulses, men OF experience
in public affairs, and in their hands, un-
trammelled by party pledges or lInholy al
Ionces. the government OF the country
and the happiness OF the people might be
trusted without any apprehension.
But these parties are now OF about equal
strength. and they are struggling for con-
tinued ascendcncy and the possession oil
power. Each wants votes, and the danger
ous classes know it. Every device OF the
politician will be used to gain adherents.
self-styled leaders will be quick to abandon
any principle and sacrifice any tradition to
carry an election; this has been the politi-
cal experience of the country, and "new
dcparturesv excite little surprise or CON-
mcnt. Certain Democratic leaders sup
posed some years ago they saw indications
of n popular uprising in favor OF rag
money. and they abandoned the principles
Of Jefferson and Jackson, dcfied public In
telligence, and sought to commit The party
TO the Greenback heresy. In this they
failed, but they succeeded in exciting dis
trust in the minds OF the conservative
masses, and the party suffers from II to-day.
Mr.. Voorhees, wishes to repeat the finan-
cial blunder on the tariff issue. He thinks
Indiana was lost because the platform
adopted by the Democrats at Cincinnati
declared in favor OF revenue tariff, and
so he calls for retreat and retraction,
and commits himself and all who follow
him to a tariff for protection. In that di-
rection lies defeat, with added disgrace.
This illustrates the folly OF striving to
follow instead of directing popular cur
rents. Parties must represent ideas, not
eXpedients when they become more or
ganized bands OF spoils-hunters their mis-
sion is at an end and all allegiance is dis
solved. But this thirst for power grows
constantly in the minds OF ambitious and
irresponsible men, and they become less
and less scrupulous OF tie means they en-
ploy.
The feeling of dissatisfaction with the
present order of things, which exists to a
greater or less extent at all times, Is dan
gerous thing TO tamper with. There are
men always ready FOL revolt. Socialism,
communists, and reputation are always
certain of some support among the masses ;
the extent of this support depends very
much on the condition of trade and COM
merce; it depends also to great extent on
the attitude of the great organized parties
toward these dangerous and perniclouS
ideas.
Reputation is merely one form Of Com
munism. 1t begins in the violation OF
contracts; it denies all property rights; it
wipes out all distinction between mine
and thine; it seizes on the goods Of the
private citizen and appropriatcs them to
public use. 1t has always been more
popular in this country with unscrupu-
lo,is politicians than with the people, and
vet the election in Virginia shows that n
feeling can be aroused in its favor suiH-
GENTLY strong 10 control great State.
This lesson will not be lost on men OF the
type OF Malone in other States. The
woods are full Of adventures such rs he,
and they will be quick TO initiate him in
Tennessee, Arkansas, Minnesota, and Mas
sachllsetts.
There Is still another thought which
gives cause for alarm. The Republican
organization has been fully committed TO
Reputation in Virginia. For the hope OF
securing the control of the Senate il has
ignored all OF it, professions and sacrificed
all of its convictions. Reputation could
not have been successful except for its
alliance with Republcanism. This proves
that crime OF any kind, ii 1t shows the
least political strength, may bargain with
HcDuDllcan lclucTs. COMMUNISM III NtN
York and Chicago may yet become an
organized party, and get aid and comfort
from the Republicans. MOrmonism is 4
political force, and the Republicans dare
not deal with it. New York politics shows
how willing party leaders are to make dis
reputable bargains. What would be the
hope Of the people il the Democracy
should abandon its position on public
debts, State and national, and appeal to
the crpidity Of the lower classes? Organ
lied robbers will soon hold the balance OF
power, and they will make their own
terms with the tricksters who run the party
machine.
The same spirit which has triumphed in
Virginia may yet triumph OH a broader
field. 1t is only the Virginia bondholders
who to-day suffer, but when times are hard
again and men are out Of employment the
bondholders have 10 guarantee that when
Malone, and Kearncy, and Schwab de-
mand a reimbursement OF the national debt
the demand will not be complied with
The conservative classes of the country
will soon see the menace to all property
contained in the success of the Republic
cans and Of the Regulators in Virginia.
/ Louisville Courier journal.