The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-07-20
For the Dispatch.l
To NV Democratic FellOw-Citfzcns
who Are Opposed to MIR. Massey as
Candidate for Congressman ut

Who Are Opposed to MIR. Massey as
Candidate for Congressman ut
Large.
Gentlemen.-I trust that you will bear
with me whilst | shall endeav0r to call to
your apt attention some arguments and
facts which may possibly cause YOU to pause
and consider dispassionatcly and well be-
fore you take step that may hereafter
prove to you to be one of unavailing and
constant regret.
In the first place let us consider briefly
what IS the present political situation in Vir-
cinia. The dominant party in the State, I'M
der the name of Readjuster, and under TIE
leadership Of General Malone, is, without
doubt, in close sympathy and alliance with
that wing of the Republican party well
known as Stalwart, Third-Termers, Cen
traIizationists, &c. The detachment OF the
party in Virginia is composed overwhelm-
ingly OF negroes, there being probably
only about $4,000 or 40, 600 white voters i'll
its ranks. Many of the white voters are
conscientiously ReadiusterS as to the State
debt, and no intelligent man who takes
calm view of the question will think
of DENYING to them the right to be
Readiusters in this sense. But many
Of them, we are assured. have no SYM
pathys with Stalwart Republicanism, and
ii the olive branch Is held out to
them they will acceptit, reioin their former
compatriots. and lend willing and strong
hand towards rcdeeming the Old Dominion
from the clutches OF those who are endea-
voring 10 turn her over to the corrupt and
deadly embraces OF that party which have
always been the bitterest foes of the South
and Of true republican institutions.
A very large number OF the class OF Re-
adiusters TO whom | refer believe that Mr..
Massey did more towards securing read
iustment OF the State debt than any man
in their ranks. They think that he has
been badly treated by those who owed him
an eternal debt of gratitude for his bril-
liant services and effective cooperation;
and now that an opportunity is afforded
to elevate him to distinguished position
they are anxious that it shall be done.
Shall we not by our united cooperation
help to secure the object they desire to at
tain! viii it not be n graceful act
of courtesy upon our part to do it!
DO not wisdom and policy demand iii?
DO we not wish to heal q breach which has
already proved veIy disastrous to us as Il
PARTY! DO we not desire to restore our
shattered columns, so that we may present
an unbroken and invincible front to our
deadliest foes next fall. as well as in the
great contest which is to come off in 1884 7
| Iii we wish the banner OF Democracy to be
planted again triumphantly upon the ram
parts of Old Virginia, we must invite and
encourage by every means in our power
to come back into our ranks those OF
our brethren who have been con-
scentiously acting with the Readiustcr
party for the purpose OF securing final
settlement of the State debt. II is certain
that ace cannot succeed lcitaOW their CO.
operation. And the truth cannot, and
ought not to be disguised, that but for the
bold, determined, patriotic conduct OF MIR.
Massey and the Big Four during the last
session Of the Legislature the Democratic
party would have now but little more than
the semblance Of an existence in Virginia.
Do we not owe these gentlemen and their
followers a deep debt Of gratitude for their
timely services, which saved our party
from disintegration and ruin! Are not
their claims entitled to our highest
consideration and respect l cannot
see any good reason why any true
Democrat should doubt 1t. In addition
to all this, from the information we have il
is certain that the "Big Four" desire the
probable that this feeling is participated in
by large majority il not all of their Read.
ulster followers. l submit, ought not the
wishes Of these distinguished gentlemen to
be treated with the highest respect by every
Democrat in the State! MIR. Massey pro-
claims himself Democrat, and says that Il
elected to Congress he will stand by the
National Democracy. Can any one doubt
, that he will do this, and that he will list
his great talents and influence to overthrow
Bossism and Radicalism in Virginia!
Now let us consider who is the caudidat,
b. of the opposition party for congressman a
S mt large. Captain John S. Wise. What 4
Is his positions He openly and boldly avow
; himself a supporter OF the Federal Admin
istration, and endeayors by argument {,
i justify himself in his position. Well, wht
l. are the acknowledged leaders Of the Ad
, ministration, and what are their princi
e pies! Arthur, Grant, Conkling, Cameron
Bill Chandler, &c.-all third-termers ant
centralizationists. The questions OF bank
T" tariff, &c., will not discuss, because boil
+ parties are divided with regard TO them
} But L desire to put the question squared,
TO every gentleman who claims TO he
Democrat, How Is it possible that you cal
= vote for Captain Wise or withhold YOU
= vote from Mr.. Massey when the forme
i tells you that il elected he will stant
q 10y and support the present nationa
: Administration, whose position upol
!, the great cardinal principles that III
: at the foundation and support tn
very pillars OF our Government are dia
metrically opposed to those you hold, ant
II carried into practical operation vii
7 prove subversive Of State sovereignty ant
, give the death-blow to civil and religious
: freedoms do not charge that Captain
/ Wise would 60 as far in this direction Al
we have good reason to believe that tn,
, class OF politicians with whom he is In al
lance would. In justice to him, will ~,
) that don't believe he would, but this /,
/ the sort Of company in which he is now
found and to which he Is giving aid and
comfort. But TO return 10 the question
which we have just been considering, dom,
you understand that have properly shown
: the great essential difference that exists be-
tween the Radical wing OF the Republican
party and the Democratic party OF the
country! Look, for instance, at the entire
disregard which they exhibited for the
rights OF the States when they sent
troops few years ago into Louisiana and