The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-10
FLOR the Dispatch.I
poIitical Dialogue.

Son: Father, tell me SOM. -
"Big Four Who are they, ana whaa
did they do TO make themselves so famous
Father: Newberry OF Bland, nae &c, OF
crovson I.vbrook of Patrick, and Will
i;an;s -; Noftowav constitute the Big Four.
'Tbe first three were Democratic Re
adiuster State senators, and the last named
was Republican Readiuster senator.
THESE distinguished gentlemen were elect
cd 70 the Legislature because they were In
favor of n readjustment and final settle
mont of the State debt. This object having
been accomplished as far as the Legislature
could do II. they felt themselves at liberty
TO vote and act as they pleased with regard
TO other important questions which came
before the Legislature, and which affected
the local and fundamental rights OF their
constituents, and Of the people OF the State
at large. TO instance, bill was introduced
in the legislature by portion OF the Re-
aduster party, under the lead OF General
Malone, which had for It's purpose the re-
apportionment OF the congressional dis
tricts Of the State. 1t was well known that
General Malone was warm supporter OF
the Arthur or Republican Administration.
and that his design was TO so roarrange
the districts as TO have elected eight out OF
ten congressman. who would support this
Administration. They also attempted to
pass 4 land-commissioners' bill, which
would have increased greatly Mahone's pa
trOnage in the State. Another bill they
attempted to pass was one to rearrange
the judicial districts in such a manner
rs to enable Malone to control them
all. The object that the leader Of this
party had in view was to increase his pat
ronage to such an extent as would give
him complete control OF the State. The
"Big Four" having accomplished all that
they were pledged to their constituents TO
do, and being opposed TO Boss rule in the
State, and to such wild, revolutionary
schemes rs the Boss, in his own interest,
desired TO enact, asserted their independ-
ence. and took bold and manly stand in
favor OF what they believed to be for the
best interest Of the people.
Son: Suppose these bills had been en-
acted by the Legislature, what would have
been the effect upon the interests OF the
Democratic party ut large in the State?
Father: The effect undoubtedly would
have leen to overthrow for years to come
the Democratic or peoples party. and TO
fasten the State, bound hand and foot, tc
the rcmOrsclesS crushing iuggernaut OF
Radicalism.
Son: Ii what YOU tell me be true, and
do not doubt it, it strikes me that the
Democratic party, which i composed Of
four fifths OF the intelligence, culture, and
wealth OF the white people OF the State
owe an eternal debt Of gratitude 10 the
&" Big Four; and. indeed. | think the
whole state Is under immense obligations
to them.
Father: Yes. these men have really i'm
mortalized themselves by their patriotic,
sclf-Sacriicing. and gallant conduct, and
have made It highly probable that our
grand old Commonwealth may be redeemed
! from the clutches CT her enemies and al
lowed to take her stand once more among
the proudcst states Of the Union.
Son: This certainly would be a glorious
consummation, and one that every young
man in the State ought 10 take pride in
assisting to secure. But tell ne now some
thing about Mr. Massey. DO not the " Big
Four" desire his election is congressman
at large? and ii so, why do They?
Father: The Big -Four" have pub
lishcd ringing, patriotic address TO the
people OF the State imploring them to vote
for Mr.. Massey. The reason is that whilst
he was not a member Of the Legislature he
was IN full sympathy with them in their
efforts to overthrow BossiSm and Radical
ism in Virginia. and gave them the benefit
OF his ripe Judgment and wise counsel.
Son: 1t strikes me very fOrcibly from all
that you have told me that the Democratic
party owe it not only to themselves and
their pOStcriiy 10 support Mr.. Massey, who
has proved by his acts that he is q Demo-
crat, but they are under very special and
strong obligations to their friends and
allies the "Big Four" to comply with
their wishes.
Father: | am glad. my son. to see that
you take such a Just view OF this question.
and trust that all OF the young men in
Virginia will take a similar view. and act
and govern themselves accordingly.
Son: Allow me to ask you one more
question for think it is one upon which a
great many young men need information.
What is the essential, fundamental differ
cnce between modern National Republican,
ism and Democracy?
Father: | am glad that you have asked
this question, for it is one upon the proper
solution OF which depends the preservation |
OF our rights and liberties as 4 people. The !
Republican party, and particularly that /
wing or portion OF it OF which Arthur, /
Grant, Conklmg, Cameron, Logan, &C., are |
leading representatives, are in favor OF n 4
centralized goyernment-that is to say, they |
are in favor Of depriving the States Of the |
right they have under the Constitution OF |
the United States to adopt such laws and |
regulations as may seem TO them best
adapted to promote their local welfare and |
happiness, and consolidating it i'm the
hands OF strong Federal power at Wash
inSton. III this were done it would not
only destroy State sovereignty, but it
would eventually result in the conversion
OF our republican institutions and govern
ment into military despotism. The Re-
publican party would probably deny this,
but actions speak louder than words. |
VIII give you evidence as strong as Holy
Wrltthat | have not done them Injustice:
and in order to do this il is only
necessary that | recall to your at
tention the fact that only few years ago
they sent armed troops into Louisiana.
South Carolina, aud other southern States
Tor the purpose OF wrestling their govern
ments from the hands OF the people who
were constitutionalIy and legally enAled
10 control them, aad placed them in the
hands OF their own ignorant and corrupt
Tools. They also, to perpetuate themselves
III power, and in entire disregard OF the
constitution and Of the regularly-expresscd
VIII OF the people OF the States, wrcsted from
Ar. Tilden the presidency and placed it in
the hands OF MN who had no better right
to II than the Gar of Russia.
These are only few OF the most notable I
instances OF the fragrant wrongs and out
RACES that they have perpetrated upon the !
rights OF the people, but they are sufficient !
10 show their love of power and the CEN {
.ralizing tendency Of their principles. The q
lights Of experience and Of history 90 to :
show that when party once becomes cor
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