Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-06

Gen. Mahone's address 10 the pIblic about
which so much has been said and written Of
late is out aud ir Is totally dfferens IN charac-
ter from what was predicted by some woo pro-
fsssed 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 a 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"-ash 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 elec-
ton next fall. That is the. purpose General
Malone has In view, and his political course
and actions will undoubtedly be shaped SO as to
aid that purpose Instead OF endeavoring to
refute the accepted theory that he and his
party are committed TO a readjuS. ment or seal
ing down OF the state debt, this address def
nitely proclaims that as the chief object OF the
party and declares that that object will be
rigidly adhered to. In speaking of the duties
devolviDg upon the next legislature IN relation
to the debt question, Gen. Malone asks: ''Shau
a 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 hI3 followers
differ from the general sentiment of the coun-
try. The readjusters maintain that 1t is honest
for the state TO pay as much as she can; that
that is not reputation. Public sentiment In
siStS that IL 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 pronounces
this policy reputation, in part, at least,
<.nd 1t Is this that has fixed the
faint OF reputation upon the Virginia read
Justers. Gen. Malone very positively declares
that his party intends to abide by this policy
and make 1t rule the state, If possible. Conse-
Quently the barrier of alleged reputation
which hitherto Is said to have prevented the
readlusters 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:
uC UclcSc III 10 Con-
tend for an enforced readjusrment 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 a 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. II 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. Maaone 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 his 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 eDdeavor gradually to recruit and liberal
1ze his readjuster party, no doubt; but he Will
not yet abandon his right to call himself a
democrat.