The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-24
M.nonA or virg.nia-whioh ?

Inc IQsl Atctteee. '>~''~ -
.,,.cw.,,nv Witnessed also public virtue
worthy Of the heroic age. The day OF
anosta.es Ii ever the day OF martyrs.
For many week one vote would have
riyettcd NAHoHE's collar about the neck OF
Virginia. and knowing his methods oil
which more hereafter, we know the an
3ucemzs,ts which that vote could command.
wish arrogant neglect Of his plain duty
and of his oath Of Office, the Boss aban-
dotcd his seat in the United States Senate
ard the service for which the burdened
taxpayers were paying him $4,000 year,
and established himself at dtam-shop on
the verge Of the Capitol Square, that he
might be within easy reach OF his ring.
This shameless desertion provoked re-
buke without parallel in the history OF
American assemblies. a resolution was
formally offered in the Legislature de-
nouncing this scandal, and inviting him TO
rcturn 10 Washington and attend TO the
business he was richly paid to discharge.
An honest man would have needed the
counsel-a sensitive man covered under
the affront. The Boss laughed at ii, and
his ring defeated IL; and week after week
from the congenial quarters OF the bar
room issued his orders to his collar
wearers.
A series OF measures transcending In
their bold infamy any. that ever MAHoNE's
recklessness had previously suggested was
proposed by him and championed by his
ring. The game seemed easily within
reach. A secret pledge, confirmed with
hand and seal, extorted months before as
the price OF nomination, binding the poor
dupes 10 surrender their manhood, desert
their duty, cheat their constituents, and
place their conscences in the convenient
keeping Of MALONE, through the sham OF
caucus, had provided as blind and complai-
SAINT a set of tools as even MALONE need
want. He had demanded, as the price Of
favor, pledge in writing Of the peoples
representatives that they would do the
Boss's will. And alas white men were
found so abject as to give it.
Success seemed certain. Everything
legislation, officers, men, and measures
had been promised. The private iudg-
ment, the individual will, the right to dis
cuss, to object, 10 amend, to prOtest-all
had been abiectly surrendered, and sur
rendered to man who was shricking
through the Senate chamber his lofty in-
dependence and Boosting his scOrn OF eau.
cuses
But even there, there were some who
"dared to call their souls their y;
and few though they were, they called
halt in the mad and protligate career OF the
Boss. The ring shrieked with rage, and
the fugitive Senator-thiS CORYPHGUS OF a
false acknowledgements his very teeth
as the hated form Of a true independence
crossed his way.
OF these few one was n native OF another
State and Republican; and either because
Of failure in the effort to brOWbeat or bride
the noble -Four. or because 4 Pennsylvania
and an ARTHUR Republican was thought
likely to fall an easier prev, this stranger
and Republican became the victim OF spe-
cial assault. TO secure him was TO Ma
honeize Virginia. HIS one vote would in
sure the political slavery Of the white peo-
pie of this State; the prostration Of all the
railroad interests at the feet Of this I" Rail-
road IsHMAEL," already gOrgcd with i'll
gotten gains from their depleted treasures;
the consolidation of his power in every
county by fastening his ofiice-holders and
quartering his newspapers on defenceless
people; the alteration Of every municipal
charter. placing them at the feet Of his
Legislative caucus. ONE SINGLE VOTE. No
wonder the conspirators hungered for it.
They offered this noble citizen to arrange
his congressional district to suit him. He
refused to surrender his independence for
that bait. They offered to fix his judicial
circurt to suit him. lie refused They
offered to secure him the marshaship OF
this district. lie refused. They brought
him letter from the Republican men,
Der of his old State Legislature coun-
selling his subServiency. lie refused.
A deputation from Washington, headed by
the notorious GORHAN, came down TO bend
his virtuous spirit. lie refused TO bend.
An autograph letter from the President is
said TO have summoned him to Washing
ton, and rumors are current that the Chief
Magistrate of this Union committed the
fathomless iniamy of uniting in this at
tempt TO debauch this incorruptible and
courageous citizen by even greater brides.
He refused. lie was shown the party
advantage to the Republicans which
the surrender OF his conscience
would involve, and we can easily
Imagine the Amusement of the piratical
crew who had so easily parted with their
own manhood at the wondrous spectacle Of
man without price. But he persevered
to the end. and the passive courage of
Senator WILLIAMS, OF NOttoway, triumph
ed. He asks no reward for what he claims
was his simple duty, but he invokes the
people Of Virginia TO give their voices and
their votes to one who in this long assault
upon bis integrity stood by his side, and
was his tried and trusted friend-JouN f.
MASSEY.
Such an Endorsement should pass any pa
per In Virginia.
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