The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-03-30

itself On his grand reserve OF undyiRg
and Interchangeable principle. That gem
tIemsn had alluded to the rumors Of
baTgains. IL there were any truth In
these rumors, then he (Mahone) was
indebted for any advantage he might
draw from it, to the fact that the SEN
ator from Georgia did not know of an
opportunity. On that point he MA
hone) would answer all the innuendoes
of the senator distinctly and grayely,
and with due regard TO the dignity of a
senator, he hurled back with scorn
and contempt every imputation that his
action here had been induced by any
other consideration than that of pro-
noting his peoples interests and the
welfare Of the whole country.
He asserted the right sacred to all
men of a free, untrammeled ballot, the
privilege of the ballot, a priceless ballot;
and whatever might be the professions
of the gentleman on that subject, be
stood prepared here on this floor, to
assure the country that in Virginia, at
least, there could be free suffrage, a
priceless suffrage, a full vote and an
honest count. Applause in the gal
~leries.) He stood here to guarantee the
enforcement of the laws. The record
refuted the statement that he (Mahone)
had been elected by the Bourbon funding
party. lie had been a candidate OF the
people who nominated him at the polls
by a majority of oyer 10000 in an cleo
tion where the senatorship had been
made an issue. lie knew of no consid-
Grafton which would ha se induced him
to have taken a seat in the senate or
have held any place at the hands of the
Bourbon or funding party of Virginia.
He was under no obligation to 1t or its
champions. Ills allegiance under God
was to his country and his first duty to
the people Of Virginia. 1t was true the
readjusting party instructed for Han
cock and English, but it was equally
true it had forborne, and purposely for
borne, from i~nstructing for those candi-
dates, as the nominees Of the demo-
cratic party.
He referred to the manner Of his cleo
ton, asserting that there had been a
combination against him, and that the
democratic party, which, like Cesar's
wife, stood above suspicion, had been
willing to trade the seat in the United
States senate for a few county Offices.
II that was the democracy that gentle
man on the other side loved, he wanted
none of it for him. The purpose Of
the readiusters was TO stay the retro
grade movement OF years. 50 rs to bring
Virginia back from number fifteen in
the grade of states to her original POSI-
ton in the sisterhood Of states. The
reaijusters OF Virginia had no FEELING
Of hostility, no words Of unkindness for
the coiored ace 1t was his earnest
hope that the march Of enlightened
civilization and human progress wouli
proceed until Gods great family should
everywhere enjoy the blessings OF civil.
religious and political liberty. The
colored man has been loyal to Virginia
in all the days of tho conflict and blood
shed which had come OF the heroic
struggle In the wal Of sections. by no
act Of his was either clash Of arms or
his freedom invoked. He had not
measured his duties by considerations
Of self-interest; not so much could be
said OF the distinguished statesman who
urged the south to resist the readjusters
in behalf Of principles held to be funda-
mental. Virginia had not forgotten her
abandonment from that quarter, and
needed no counsel as to her duty. To
him and the people of Virginia, the
south, as the phrase, was a mere geo.
GRAPHICAL expression. and nc longer cpl
tomized a dream Of the empire. 1 do
not question, he said, in conclusion, the
grandeur Of that hope and aspiration,
but it was quenched in blood, and the
south of our day has acquiesced in the
decision OF war. The democratic party,
afirms that dicision in its national
platform and in declarations Of its
chairman. am here to assert, Vir-
ginia, the mother Of the union, renews
her old time faith and devotion to the
government her honored sons aided to
construct and in furtherance thereof,
l propose to give my best abilities, and