National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-05-13

As you have taken occasion TO make an unjusti-
| liable attack on me by name in an article headed
"A Serious Party Question:" / hope you will af-
ford me space for a reply. Your article is an at
| tempt to place mo in false position before the
Republican party Of the country, to which do
| not propose to submit.
You start out by asking, "What relations does
| Mr.. Dezendorf, the member Of the House of Rep
resontaives from the Norfolk (Va) District, expect
to hold toward parties If he persists in his war
upon the Republican organization In the State Of
Virginia? l answer that Mr.. Dezcndori the
member of the House OF Representatives from the
Norfolk Va) District, expects to sustain he Nd
fondl Republican parpas he always has done since
he cast his first vote, in 1856 for John C. Fremont
| and from that day down to his last vote cast in
| the II ouse yesterday Mr.. Dczendorf has never
and its principles; nor has he erer made IOdr upon
| the Republican organization in the State of Yir-
ginia.
Again you say: He was elected to Congress in
1850. prior to the coalition between the Republic
can and Readjustor organizations. His election
was made possible by the fact that two candidates
ran against him." was elected by the votes Of
li775 Republicans, against 9,7l5 Democratic votes
for John Goode, and $500 Readjuster votes for b.
w; Lacy, who was General Mahoue's candidate
being plurality of geo over Goode and majority
Of over 1850 over both Goode and Lacy combined.
Notwithstanding the above statement of facts
have been ignored in my district. Democrats who
never voted Republican ticket have been put in
against my earnest protest TO crafty Senator Ma
hone.
My election was the result of the votes of the
Republicans of the Second Congressional district
mostly colored mon, who, for twelve years since
the reconstruction oftho State have stood firm and
true by the Republican party, through discourage
ments that would have long ago caused almost
any other class of men to have turned their backs
upon the party, and ] have stood with them
recognize the fact that the split In the DEM
ocratic party of the district had n tendency to
prevent the frauds that had been before prac-
tised in that district, and secured by that split
fur count l was perfectly willing to show my
appreciation of the help thus given in proper
manner, but was unwilling TO turn out those
who had for years been tried and true in order to
reward This element. 1t is wcll-recognized fact
SS sd so ut hs SPLIT in the party
| that State would have been cast for Hancock and
English. What would have been or would now
| patronage of the State of New York to John Kelly
| and his 10000 followers because without him the
Republicans are IN the minority in the State
| HOW long would tho Republicans of New York
| submit to such proceeding?
You then undertake. to make 1t appear that
approved the coalition after State convention Of
the Republican party had been held, and that
afterwards receded and opposed the action. Such
Is not the fact. wrote letter which appeared in
llIE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN, in May, 1881, in which
advocated union of forces. and detailed plan
of action which thought would bring about such
union, and based it all upon the proposition that
the Malone convention called for the 10th of
juno, should adopt such platform and nomi-
uatc such candidates us Republicans could sup
port, and never departed from that letter one
iotn, General Garfield and myself were in thorough
accord regarding the policy to be pursued in Vir-
ginia, and ut the proper Time shall publish fncta
i'll my possession TO bear me out in this assertion.
You have great deal to say in this article, and
you always have when speaking ofRepubiicans of
the SOUTH about their desire to keep up small
Office holders party, which would send friendly
delegates TO the next national convention in ex-
change for the crumbs from the masters table"
Now would ike TO have you show me any
where within the length and breadth of the land
Il party numbering $1,000 that have shown such an
inordinate greed for Office as the Democratic Re
adjusters of yirginia. All the prominent men of
that party from General Malone down, have
taken care to slide into good Office and they
have done 1t by, and through Republican votes
those that have been electedc-and the balance of
the $4,000 now out ore seeking appointments,
waiting for crumbs that fall from the masters
party" the better.
do not propose TO defend Mr.. Blaine. He is
abundantly able to TAKE care of himself. You go
on. "Mr. Dezendorf was ono Of tie most zealonns
opponents of the coalition after he ceased to be
its supporter To use cant phrase he had it
Oh the BRAIN. Ills opposition was of small conse-
quence, for although he had all the patronage of
the administration in his district and much out
side Of it during Gardeds time, and nearly
uuuts continuance in the Navy Department. he
was beaten in every county of his district"
Now thisis sheer Misrepresentation, from be-
FlrsteI never supported the coalition one mo.
ment, and everybody IN the State and out of 1t
Sccond-I have never IN any campaign tried to
influence any ofhceholder IN my district, any
workman in the navy yard any person for whom
their Judgment nor did do 80 in the last State
canvass, nor was ever bea'en In any county in
my district having Republican majority, in
which made CANVASS.
Third--(Mr. Dczendorf positively denies that he
has joined IN a call for State convention of Re-
pubiicans which IL wholly without counlenancc
OF the Republican State COmulittcc.l
] have not Joined in any call for II state conyen-
ton of Republicans At Stuunton, nor has such con-
yention been called through any ddr!ce QJ mine.
have seen Dy the paper that an organization of
colored men, Republicans, have called State
convention 10 meet in stanton on the 9th of
June next, aud that my name Is used by them in
connection with thair desire to maintain the prin
Gplcs of the Republican party in Virginia. but
Of my name than l hnd to do with your
editorial. ! will gay, however, that
] am daily in receipt Of letters from all sec.
tons OF The State asking FOR conference OF Re.
illbHcdRs 70 take the present status of affairs into
| unslderatiou, and that these expressions come
from those who have heretofore favored coalition,
us well those who were opposed to IT, Tint there
! Is Il widespread dissatisfaction with the existing
! state Of affairs Is undcninblc, and the probability
| is that II will find expression In some authorized
and significant shape, ana In strength sufficient TO
| command respect.
Fourth-Mf. d, zcndorf has not now nor has lie
! ever had any ambition 10 be leHdtrot"H petty fac
ton TO furnish delegates TO RnttiOnal cOnvon ton
for some ambitious leader Osccs nonCcd Of elect.
| ors;" but Mr. Dc2cndnth1s same desire nOt0 TO
sec delegates elected TO national Republican
convention that he hdd on the I'D dag NJ February,
! 1850 when, finding the State Of Virginia oyerrun
with Treasury agents working to secure delegates
10 the Chicago convention In favor Of John Sher-
man, you, knowing that had already come out
! for General Grant, came TO Norfolk and urged mo
| to use my influence ana eXeriuns to secure dele
gates 10 the national convention for General Grant,
and with the help of other friends Captain Nichols
among The number) that object was accomplished,
and the Virginia DELEGATION won't to Chicago m
STucCd for Gentrdi grant, on motion Introduced In
! the state convention by nlyseG,
Mr. Delcndorf has the same desire nOg to see
when he opposed the transfer Of the Republican
elecornl vote Of Virginia to Hancock aud English
IN the last campaign rs was attempted 10y the
Coalitlouista, suppose with your approval, when,
rs the re, ult proved, If the advice Of Mr. De2en-
d0rf and others had been taken at that time the
electoral vote Of Virginia could have been cast for
/ Garfield and Arthur, that ticket being but 1900
behind, with 5000 votes not pOlled. Whenever q
State convention is called by any recognized Uu-
/ thOrity shall be there, ana no man viii do more
than myself 10 send delegates TO the National Con-
Ycuunu who viii repTesCnt tho wishes Of the Re-
public ns Of Virginia, and no man VIII do more
TO hCCulg the elect ON OF the candidates OF the Nh
uUuul Republican Convention uGer they are nom.
i mated 10 matter whether they happen TO be my
pers Hdl choice or not That my IDEA OF the duly
/ Ola good Republican,
| You suy " the Republican par OF the North can
| have Nh DeZendurf as the leader of a rety fac
| ton, &c. lwAiyh ambition ! have already dis.
| claimed or they cnn lend their moral support
and sympathy 10 the party which proposes to
! send SIX or eight administration members