The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-11-17
Tine Sober SECOND 1'hough..

| Tines sins and they are many and as scar
Iet--we cannot but admire its ability. The
news from Virginia last week Knocked II
dizzy, aud for several days It's mental
equilibrium seemed to be destroyed. Its
political editors raved, and even It's funny
man seemed TO be suffering from secret
sorrow. Now, however, a few cold facts
are obtrudIng themselves upon the heated
brains OF the former and bringing down
their temperature TO something like It's nor
NAL condition, and the latter has thrown
of the shadow that oppressed him. It's
tragedians are no longer wild-eyed. and its
light comedian Is no longer sad-eyed. In
short, the Times Is almost itself again
partisan, but sensible enough not to try to
butt bull of OF bis own bridge.
In its issue OF Thursday the Times has
on the :" Southern Canvass" an article
which il based on the opinion OF Colonel
BRADY as to what led TO the result in Vir-
ginia. The opinion Of Colonel BRADY
| isn't worth a cent. and it is safe to say that
the average southern man doesn't care what
| he thinks. Perhaps ala appreciation OF
these facts has borne an important part
In bringing the Times to It's senses. We
are rather inclined to think it has. How
ever, be that as ii may, the Times Is in
spired to make few remarks that are
worthy of especial notice. After depre-
eating " Bourbon tactics" the Times says ::
"He BRADY is mistaken, however, in
surprising that northern Republicans will
on that account feel any more patient to-
ward the intolerable Malone or his meth
DDS. Mahone's defeat is a matter OF con-
graduation in the North, however much
the way IN which il was accomplished may
be disapproved. In the first place, bis
treatment OF the negro voter has not been,
at bottom, any better than that OF the
Bourbons. He has fomenteG the race feel
ing as much as they, and his people are by
no means innocent OF intimidation"
This Of itself should ellecually dispose of
the charge that the Democratic victory in
Virginia was due to intimidation, but the
Times does not rest the case here. or con-
fine itself to this one point. 1t goes on 10
show that MALONE "secIlred the prostitu-
ton OF the Federal cvil-seryice to main
tain his leaders among them" Qhe negroes),
and adds:
"We have already pointed out that the
squelching of Malone re0pens the southern
question, but it can never be settled by re-
newing his methods. II the Republican
party expects 70 break the solid South now,
il must be by policy which will divide
the votes of each race, which will draw
those of both races that can be got by fair,
honorable, and Just conduct, and leave the
rest, of whichever class, to demagogues.
The Utica Herald has suggested-and the
suggestion is pertinent-that the next cam
vass be made in the South as il is made
in Massachusetts, or in Iowa, with
ample discussion by able speakers and
with the abundant circulation OF good
political documents. That has never been
tried in the South. though the Times urged
it in 1876 and again in 1880. II would be
much more promising in 1884. 1t will not
do to say that such canvass would not be
practicable because of the danger of vio-
lence. There would be no such danger.
III the leaders of the southern Democracy
were ready 10 resort to violence, which we
do not believe. they would have too much
sense TO indulge in it or TO allow it to take
place. We have not the slightest doubt that
such speakers as Mr.. Evarts, Mr.. Schurz,
Senator Hawley, Senator Harrison, Sena-
tor Dawes, Mr.. Curtis, Mr.. Blaine, General
Woodford. or any OF the gentlemen who
are listened to with attention in the North,
could speak IN every city or town south OF
the Potomac with as complete immunity
from disturbance or annoyance as they
would enjoy in the North. And we do
not doubt that they would make votes for
the Republican cause by the presentation
Of the case as they understand it and as 1t |
has never reached the ears of the average |
voters OF the South. AT any rate, it is
policy which is not only worth trying, but |
which it is the duty OF the leaders OF the |
party to try fairly and fully"
The most significant part of this para |
graph is the absolute confession it con- |
South has been treated by the Republican
party at large, aud the warning it gives to
Stalwartism that it is time to halt. 1t sus-
tains the Philadelphia Telegraph in the po-
sition that there is a revulsion going on
all over the country against the methods
the Republican party has hitherto resorted |
to in order to carry the elections in the
South. We copy the rest OF the paragraph
not only because 1t is Just to the South, but
in justice TO the Times. So far from be-
lieving that the squelching of MALONE re-
opens the southern problem. we believe it
settles 1t. The South will be solidly Demo-
cratic for years to come. Yet should such
speakers rs our New York contemporary
names come TO the South they will be treated
with the greatest respect and be as safe
from violence as they would be in their
own parlors. We do not say that the time
will not come, as the Times asserts ii will,
when the whites Of the South can be diyi-
ded by "honest men and decent methods,
as American citizens, on the broad ques-
ton OF good government" but, before it
does come, the Republican leaders must
repent in sackcloth and ashes and prove
their sincerity, and the party must be pu-
rified as by fire and prove that it is capable
Of administering good government. The
1imeS'S own admissions and the law OF
elf-preseryalion Justify the South in not
dividing until all this is done.
The State Debt.