National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-05-10
A Serious Party Question.

What relations does Mr.. Dezendorf, the
member fthe House Of Representatives
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? lie was chosen to
Congress in 1880, prior to the coalition
between the Republican and Readjuster
organizations. His election was made
possible by the fact that two candidates
ran against him. The year following
General Malone declared unceasing war
upon Bourbonism from his place in the
Senate, and his Readjuster friends
rallied to his support. His bold and
patriotic course led to q decision,
by The Republican party Of Virginia
in State convention assembled, that
there should be n union between the sup
p1rters of Malone and the Republicans
of the State. The colored people of the
State had previously made the same de-
cision for themselves in a State Conven-
tion of elected delegates. Against this
some Republicans labored with inhamed
zeal and untiring energy. Mr.. Dezendorf,
in letter to the NATIONAL REPUBLICAN,
advocated the union early in the spring
of 1881, but later Withdrew his support,
The overwhelming strength of the desire
for coalition crushed out all opposition,
although the latter had powerful aid in
Washington. 1t is an open secret that
Mr.. Blaine was exceedingly hostile to the
coalition, and it is fair to presume that
his relations to the Garfield Administers
ton caused many to believe that they
were serving that Administration by fol-
lowing him in the matter. General Gar
field declared himself in favor of a union
of forces The secret of Mr.. Blaine's
hostility to the progress of liberal ideas
Mt the South is of course known only to
himself. 1t may be accounted for by a
desire to keep up small office-holders
party, which would send friendly dele.
gates to the next National Con.
vention in exchange for the crumbs
from the masters table. This pol.
icy has been much in vogue in South
ern Republican politics of late years
While Mr. Blaine was at the head of The
Govern ment the advocates of a small
party in Virginia might hope that he
could keep them well fed. The Bourbons
of Virginia had so gerrymandered the
State that two districts were Republican
The maintenance of a minority party in
the State did not, therefore, in the least
conflict with the political interests OF
two Republican Congressmen. Another
cause for Mr. Blaine's cooperation
with tho Virginia Bourbons in the
work Of preventing the joining
of the forces opposed to them may
find its explanation in the unwaver.
ing support given him by them in crises
o great moment in his political fortunes
They never weary in his praise and have
never tagged in their support except il
the matter of the confirmation of Mr.
Chandler 10 the Solicitor GcneralshiI
last spring, His name has been passed
along the Bourbon lines MS one they
could choeriully jnscribe upon the Bour
bon banner in 1884, if the support o
an original Republican should seem the
only way to resuscitate the confederacy
The Maine statesman has not taker
the pains to silence the scandal concerns
ing this Irritation, and if it continues toe
long he may suffer under the rule of evi
dence which gives great weight TO proven
inclination and opportunity"
Mr.. Dezendorf was one of the mos
jealous opponents of the coalition afte
he ceased to be its supporter. To use {
cant phrase, he "had it on the brain
His opposition was Of small consequence
for although he had all the patronage o
the Administration in his district, an,
much outside of it, during Garfield
lifetime, and nearly fully swing Il
the Gosport Navy-Yard during MI
Hunts continuance in the Navy Dc
partment, he was beaten in ever
county ofhis district The best proc
that he makes no claim to any relatio
with the Republican party of Virginia
10 be found in the fact that he now join
In a call for State convention of Repul
Leans at staunton which is wholly with