Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-09-30
POLITICAL.
Shall we Support Massey!

Shall we Support Massey!
10 the editor OF the Alexandria Gazette:
The question that heads this article is
perhaps: the most important that democrats
have asked and will have to answer. since
sISty-ohe. five make mistake row, the
effects will be serious, and may be fatal TO
our party in this State If by forfeiture
OF principle, we produce apathy and disgust
IN our own ranks, or, by refusal to receive
them back we confirm the alienation of the
men, who differed from us once. and on one
point OF State management, we give the re-
publicans, led by Malone, an opportunity
which they long for as ardently rs they will
use unscrupulously. The real difference
between members of the conservative party
IN the last campaign was the debt question
Inc republicans succeeded in dragging in
other issues; 1t was their interest to do so.
ana maj partyneycr ncglects its interest. Let
us look at the subject from all sides, and us
care1uily rs lts Importance demands. five
support Mr.. Massey will we compromise or
lmperil our democratic principle? Can
such support be construed into an abandon.
ment OF the issue on which we opposed him
IN the last election? As it is conceded bv
all parties that the debt question has passed
out OF politics, and as neither we or Mr.. Mas
seyhave further power overit these questions
must be answered in the negative. 1t is as
absurd to accuse democrats who opposcd the
ex-auditor in 81, and support him in $50, of
inconsistency as it would be to say Il man
VINO tried to put out burning house was
inconsistent if he built fire in fox den
That we did not wish to see Mr.. Massey
destroy what ne considered the solemn OBJ
legations of our State is no reason that we
should not gladly both see and help him to
scorch Malone and his office seeking follow
ers IN then attempt to sell our State to the
party OF corruption and fraud: the party
VINO, when they had elected u good man.
and one friendly to the South, president,
Killed HIM as soon rs they discovered their
mistake
Now let us examine Mr. Massey's person
al character. and the justice Of his claim to
be our Congressman at large As to his
character, did he, or did he not. make
good Auditor? do his enemies DENY it even
now? When, in the party of which he was
then member his claim for the Gubcrno.
torlal nomination was disallowed. did his
earnest and powerful support of the man
who was preferred before him, show want of
principle? A second time i'm the rontes,
for United States Senator, he was passed
by. and Il man, his inferior in every
thing but a willingness to be Mahonc's
echo chosen; did he then show any of the
anger or disappointment that would almost
nave been e-:cusable on being again cheated
OF the reward he so justly deserved? His
conduct through two trying contests has
been dlgnlhed and consistent; he stuck to
ms theory when put in practice against
himself, and accepted, without murmuring,
the heavy REIMBURSEMENT by the coalition
party, OF their debt to him; but one man in
the state sacrificed more for the coalition
and received less. Now to come to the
strongest point in Mr.. Masseys favor We
o"e him all the assistance in our power. II
Is not question Of preference it is not a
favor that we can, in Justice. either grant or
withhold; it is right! II it had not been
Fl ~. L., e." mnnld be no Congressman ot
large to vote for. 1.-The, Or his iss sS'"'I hs az
been weak, false or venal, the State would
have been hopelessly lost. For once inter-
est, honor and gratitude all point the same
way. 1t Is an axiom among honorable men
that when the creditor cainot enforce his
claim by law the debtor is doubly bound II
party to :; contract accepts benefit under
it, it becomes binding on him in all its de-
tails. Take the worst and most Machiavel-
liam definition of gratitude as Il lively anti
cipaton of future benefits. and it is all the same;
we owe debt that cannot be enforced. We have
accepted great benefits and no other man can do
us so much good in the future. Scott tells us that
one of his characters
Nicer bore gui,lsc for stalwar blow.
Tan i'll fair fight from open foe
Mr.. Massey has been foe it is true, but an open
and generous one. 1t remains to be seen whether
the Scottish moss-troopcr had more generosity
than the Nirginian soldier; for the mass of con-
scrvativc voters in this State are the men tn whom
preference was given twenty years ago, when the
work in hand was to lead charge or guard Il re-
treat. Frrr I,Scr
Fairfax Station Sept. 20
The Washington R,publican announces
editorially that Langston, colorcd, is to can
vass Virginia in the interest Of the toe-nai-
ers.
Mr.. Barbour is announced to be at Front
Royal on the 10th proximo.