The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-06-25
Concerning John l.. Massey's Cnndi.
dacV.

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
The writer Of this is lifelong Demo-
crat-one who at the close OF our civil
struggle united cheerfully with the Old
Line Wings OF Virginia in the formation
Of the Conservative party, and who has
acted consistently with that party ever
since. He has, moreover, always MAIN
tanned the ability Of the State to meet her
pecuniary obligations as ascertaincd and
determined in March, 1871, and that she
owed it to herself and to her creditors to
do her full duty in this behalf He believes
it clearly demonstrate that the settlement
attempted by the McCulloch bill Of 1879
could have feen carried into effect, the
government supported, and the schools up
held and advanced in usefulness out OF the
revenues of 1880 and 1881 as reported by
the Auditor of Public Accounts, and there
fore that although that settlement may have
been obnoxious TO some just criticism, the
assault made upon ii. its overthrow, and
the disintegration OF the Conservative
party have been results fraught with in
calculable evils to Virginia, from which
there is no escape but in the defeat
of that mongrel combination known as
the Malone party. The attempt made
flagranty by this party in the last Legisla-
ture to consolidate through the caucus all
the powers of the Govcrnment-legisla-
tive, executive, and iudicial-in the hands
of one man, aided BY few ambitious and
reckless henchmen; its effort, regardless OF
the people as the source OF all power, to
establish one fountain-head of political
patronage, from which should flow all Off
cial bonors and emoluments, State and
Federal. in streams and rills Of political
corruption, penetrating TO every nook and
corner OF our State; its scheme TO redistrict
the State for Congress so as to give clear
African maiorites in five districts, with the
expectation and almost certainty Of send
| Ing Hereunder to Washington eight repre-
sentatives committed to the support Of a
Republican administration in violation OF
| the sentiments OF n majority OF our people,
who, in Federal politics, are undoubtedly
Democrats-all these are schemes so ilagi-
tious as to stimulate to vigilance and
arouse to vengeance all Virginians who
have the intelligence to appreciate the
value OF a pure and free popular govern
ment and the virtue TO resolve that ours
shall be restored to its ancient standard.
Under such circumstances as have fee-
bly, portrayed we are on the verge Of a
great political struggle which shall deter
mine Nirginia's position in Federal poll.
tics. One, and but one, distracting ques-
tion-and that OF mere polcy-arises Tor
solution, upon which the counSels OF the
Democratic party seem greatly divided, at
a time when perfect accord is indispensa-
bic to the common veal, for, TO employ the
figure OF Edmund Burke, when the evil
enemies OF the Democratic party "com-
bine," its friends "must associate, else
; they will fall one by one an implied sacri.
flee in contemplate struggle The
question OF difficulty is, Shall all who are
intent on the success OF the Democratic
party acquiesce in the candidacy OF John T.
Massey for congressman ut large and east
their votes for him, or shall they refuse tC
act thus and insist upon straightout y
nominations As we love our country,
and desire the success OF the Conservative.
Democratic party, l contire, my brethren,
that we shall act unanimously on this
point whenever il shall be decided.
This writer had not long ago reached
the conclusion, as he thought, that
under no circumstances would he sup
port Mr.. Massey for this or any other
office; nor would he do so now il such sup
port necessarily involved an approval of
Mr.. Massey's views on readjustment, or
OF his political career I'm many Of It's as.
poets, which, clearly. IL does not. With
readjustment we have naught to do in this
canvass, which is exclusively Of Federal
concern. We wish TO draw TO the support
OF the Democratic cause, pure and simple,
thousands Of Democratic Readiusters who
agree with us in Federal politics. In no
other way can we overcome last fall's ma
iority against us, for we have oft-repeated
reasons to know that ethiopia Is Joined
TO It's idols" Will, then, Democratic Re-
adiusters accept our voting for Massey as