The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-07-11
A Question Of Policy.

cratic party--or even tnc Wisest PV"e' '"
signify in that way that the dcbt-question
has been RENTED 10 the courts, and that no
test Of party fidelity viii be exacted other
than LOYALTY to the National Democratic
ns,tv. then 1t does seem to us that
the Rozdjuster Democrats ought to be al
lowed the candidate OF their choice,
and not be compelled to accept our iudg-
mcnt as to the popularity Of their favorite,
or as to the prospects OF his success. We
have never proposed that the Deipocrats
should nominate Mr.. MASSEY. We do not
think that they ought TO nominate him. oh
tho contrary, they ought not to nominate
him: because 10 do so would be to force
many Democrats to an immediate and I'M
timely decision not TO vote for him; where
as IL he be merely recommended, or ms
candidacy be SIMPLY acquiesced in, these
same Democrats will have four months IN
which to make up their minds on the sub
ject.
The Richmond Wing claims that the de-
cision rendered last week by Judge WELL
FORD touching the five hundred thousand
dollars saved out of the wreck OF the states
interest in the Atlantic, Mississippi and
Ohio Railroad Company will he worth
thousands Of votes TO the Administration
candidates for Congress. Certainly it must
be admitted that that decision might well
alarm not only the Democratic Read!usters
generally but Mr.. MASSEY particularly.
How can that alarm be prevented, and what
assurance or evidence can the Demo-
cratic party furnish to the Readluster
Democrats that we are not bent upon
compelling them TO stand by a debt
which they suppose they have "readiust
ed"i The question has been fully and
freely discussed by the Funder Democrats.
II now they decide that they will not sup
port Mr.. MASSEY, their determination to
ostracise every Democrat who voted for
roadjusting the State debt will be pro-
claimed upon every stump, and i'll every
Administration organ, in Virginia, ana
the most plausible OF appeals will be made
TO all such Democrats TO return to their
allegiance TO the Readiuster party.
"Let Mr.. MASSEY run in his own dis
trict.' say some. But he doesn't desire to
run in that district. He is already before
the voters as n candidate for congressman
at large. VIII you compel him TO change
the venucr BY what right? 1t must be,
il at all. because he is a Democrat. But
il he is, as he claims to he, a Democrat who
hiss never deserted the Democratic party and
never east other than Democratic vote, then
he is undoubtedly entitled to be supported
as candidate for Congressman at large. Why
should O'FEERALL and MOFFEIT and HAIR
RS and SKINNER and ALLEN, and all the rest
OF the Democrats in the Seventh district, be
expected to be more willing, or to feel I'M
der any greater obligation, to stand aside
for MIR. MASSEY in that district, than they,
or any other true Democrat, to stand aside
for Mr.. MASSEY in the State at larger Be
sides, we wish the Readiuster Democrats
in every county in the Commonwealth to
know 10 a certainty that if, as they and
their leader Mr.. MASSEY claim, they have
never left the national Democratic party,
then, though they may have voted Tor re-
adjustment, they are TO be recognized as
members in good standing in the national
Democratic party.
Now, all that we have said in this intro
duction, hich is much longer than we had
meant to make it, Is intended only to establish
the one proposition that ii the Democrats
are required by sound policy, by gratitude,
or by the desire to sink the debt question,
10 support Mr.. MASSEY as a candidate for
congressman ut large, then they ought not
TO be influenced by fear OF his defeat.
His candidacy will convince ali Readiustei
Democrats that they are at home in the
Democratic party and will contribute to
swell the maiorities OF cur candidates IN
all the districts we carry, and to elect some
OF our nominees who might otherwise b'
defeated.
AS to the suggestion that Rcadiustel
Democrats meet and declare their purpose
to vote for Mr.. MASSEY, it is impracticable
The men who are going TO desert MALONE
this year will DO it as they did it in 1880
at the ballot-box. Up TO a week before th'
election OF 1880 General MALONE had no
been informed by any signs, outglvings, OF
demonstrations OF any sort that he was t
be left in q ridiculouSly-small minority
We have no right TO expect the same Demo
Gratis who left him then to leave him nov
otherwise than they did at that time--tha
is, on election day.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, July 8, 1882.
TO the Editor Of the Dispatch:
l have paid n good deal OF attention Il
the discussion which has been in progress
as TO whether the Conservative party SHOULD
vote for Mr.. Massey in the coming contes
for congressman ut large; bu, the precis
point on which | am most anxious to b,
informed is the very one about which leas
Information Is giyen-viz., Mr.. Massey
strength. All concedc that MIR. Masse,
has done great wrong to the Conservatiy
party; great damage TO the honor and bes
Interests of the State; and that to him nor
than any other man is due the present sa,
condition Of our civil service. But il i
said we must put up with all this in orde
TO beat Malone and the Rtadiuster- Repub
iican combination, Of which he is now tn
leader and chief support, and that to &C
conplish this we must consent TO be in
consistent. We must forgive and forge,
and 90 10 the very verge OF surrenderin
self-respect. l freely concede the i'm
portance OF destroying party who's
sole conception Of craftsmanship is tina
the public Offices are TO be used {
reward partisan services, and whose leaC
ers, 10 accomplish their selfish purposes
have allied themselves TO another part
whose very life consists in bitter hatre
and dagrant injustice towards the South
and utter cOntclunt for ifs riyhfs and fool