New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-22

SENATOR MIHOYE A REPRESENT TTPE MIN
The recent dramatic incident ID the oenato
~ which Mfr. Malone, of Virginia, declared ms
independence of the Democratic caucus anu niS
contempt for the Bourbons, has been trea'eu o1
some of our friends too much as IL IL "eIo ''S
pifcant only of the personal position VI 'no
gentleman, or at furthest OF his lhlheui"'o
constituency. We think 1t is unwise 10 regaTo
if in such a restricted sense. Mr.. Mahohe' VIC
believe. is the representative OF large cluss vi
whites in tie South not majority pfoDaulJ'
but a class large enough, when uhlteu WIN '"o
sroodmen and original Republicans, to redeem
the majority of Southern States from Bourbon
nile. His recent action has apparently l"uhu
general approval among those who clecieu niih'
Vybv should there not then be good reason lor
concluding that they are not alone in deS'IIhs
70 throw of the Bourbon rule When mas
brouoht thcm nothing hut defeatT MI I'LL
and Mr.. Beck and other BouIb0ns vino de-
nnunced Mr.. Malone represent constituencies
sentiments and conditions of things OF years
ogo Mr. Malone comes fresh from his people.
Mr.. Hill and MIR. Beck nave evidently learned
nothing; but it must net therefore De assuiiieu
that their people have not advanced. Mr. Ma
homes recent election, his present attitude ana
the general approval OF 1t indicate that the
people of Virginia have advanced considerably
Whv should not the mass OF the Southern
neonle desire to throw oil rule when lea them
into a disastrous war, and through repeated pO-
Gtical defeats has deprived them OF the power
of the Government for twenty years. Ana
tboir recent defeats were under circumstances
the most favorable to them,-under conditions
of uublic feeling and sentiment more hopeiul
than there is reason to look for III many years
70 como. They were beaten four years ago
under the leadership OF their strongest, most
sub,Ie and able Democratic statesman at the
North. They were beaten last year under the
hammer of one of the most popular soldiers Oh
their PARTY. They have to-day no other men oil
ennal strength in their ranks. In the last
contest they were defeated by man who mas
heen long recognized as the leader OF his party
in Congress,-a man Of exceptional powers,
ability, tact and popularity, with broad views
and liberal vet firm policy, calculated at once
to strengthen his party and benefit the Nation.
In that contest tie Republicans who had been
divided were tinr ) united once more, while the
Democrats, VIII. mad been solid at the previous
election. were hopelessly divided and demoral-
lied. Nothing IN the ucIIcuVo "Oih vi "S""'~-
ing n new Administration has thus far appa-
rentlv created even local dIssensOns in the Re
publIcan ranks. In the North widespread dis
affection exists among the Democrats, the con-
sequence of strong dissatisfaction with certain
vital principles in their platform, not the mere
dissensions of rival leaders in this State. And
Mr.. Mahone's attitude and the support which Is
ciyen him indicate the possible breaking up of
southern soldity in politics. Certainly there is
nothing in the state OF parties at this time, with
| the Republicans in power probably for many
| wears to come to encourage the Southern peO-
ple to cling hopefully to leaders and to party
| which have misled and we'll nigh ruined them.
Let us, then, attach broader significance to
MIR. Mabones course than to assume that 1T is
| merely personal revolt, differing in its indc-
| pendence from that Of Mr.. Davis, of Illinois, in
that it is positive, cOntemDtuous and defiant,
while that of the latter is negative and nonsen-
steal. And let us hope that the Southern people
will come up to the standard of the new Viz
| ginia Senator, as to that of leader, and show
equal liberality, independence and manhood
with him. If they do they will enter upon q
new era of prosperity, politically and industri-
ally.