National Republican., 1883-08-23
Some Political History and its Present
Hearing.

Odi CAuihplo ny u TWO lHOHJuS COnleSJ, par
ticipatcd in by them all, to elect II. II. Rid
dleberger (now United States sonator) to q
senate office. The refusal of a squad of re-
publicans to support the coalition, and their
ridiculous attempt and its failure to put %
third ticket in tho field, formed an amusing
chapter in the political history of that year.
The coalition was supported by the New
York Tribune and Times, tho Cincinnati
Gazette, Chicago Inter Ocean, Boston
journal, Providence Journal Hart
ford CourdnI, Philadelphia ITeSs, and
the republican press generally throughout the
country. The recalcitrant Virginia rcpubli-
cans made up what they called republican
didates, who promptly declined. The puny
little crew then gave their support to Daniel,
the bourbon democratic candidate for COVER
nor, and did all they could to throw the legis-
laturc into bourbon hands, although senator
was then to be elected. The object of the
straightouts was plainly visible. 1t was to
tho next national republican convention
in the hope that they might be allowed o few
Of the seats of Virginia in that body, with
the influence appertaining thereto. The new
York Tribune of that time exposed the hol-
lowness of their claim to call themselves
republicans, and warned them that they would
ha oh IN So, tboir oIs I'll
machine to the dignity of contesting fac
tion at the convention. Since that time the
regular republicans of the state Of Virgin ia
have gone along hand in hand with the
readjusters in every political contest, and
have nightly prevailed. The state ticket
was elected in 1881 by $4,000 majority, and
the legisl ature then chosen elected Riddle
berger to the senate, the very man
unanimously nominated in the republican
caucus of the United States senate for SER
geant at arms The same legislature would
have reapportioned the congressional dis
tricts but for the desertion of four state SEN
ators, one of them being republican. The
done the present outrageous gerrymander,
whereby the republicans have but two dis
tricts out of nine, and would have made dis
tricts compact in form and approximately
equal in population. With the state so dstrib-
uted the coalitionists would havo been ma
jorty in eight out of the ten districts.
The best evidence Of the good faith of
the readjuster leader5 toward their re-
publican allies was that under the proposed
now apportionment the republicans would
havo had clear majority in five districts
without the votes of the readjusters Of demo-
cratic antecedents. Despite this treason. how
ever, and under the old apportionment, tho
coalition last year carried five of tho nine dis
tricts, and elected tho congressman at large
by over 5, 600 majority. This they did in the
fac of many obstacles, added to the general
Generalization under which the republi-
outs continued in oppo sition, and put
up colored preacher for congress
man at large. The northern republican
papers which were denouncing the administra-
tion deserted the coalition which they had
previously supported, and loaded Gen.
Malone with curses and calumnies. Fl nally
Mr.. Blaine spoke and applauded the straight
outs and denounced as "the ropudiation
wing of the democratic party" the party
with which the republican party of Virginia
was then acting most harmoniously in coali
ton which President Garfield had helped tC
build, which President Arthur was aiding tc
maintain, and which was the only opposition
was ono of the grandest known in American
politics. While the reactionary bourbon'
were rejoicing over the capture of Massachu.
setts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania
Ohio, Michigan, Kansas, California, and Ne,
vada, the liberals of Virginia emerged from
the smoke of their battle with six out of ten
cong gressmen and an anti-bourbon majority oi
more than 5000 for Wise
Another election is at hand. The mad
dened bourbons have met and indorsed all
that the readjusters have done in settle.
ment of the state debt, and pledged them.
selves against any disturbance of that settle.
mont. They have called on renegade read
justers to rally against Malone, on negroes tc
rally to the bogus republican straight
outs, and on straightout republicans tC
rally to tho simon pure democratic
party. Barbour the bourbon Wickham the
debt paying republican, and Massey the OK,
readjuster democrat, are altogether in one
bed, and having all sung in chorus, "Ul
with the bourbons and down with Malone,
we now hear lesser strain by tho straightou
squad. They rest from shouts for the demoe
racy long enough to indorse Mr.. Blaine fo
the presidency. This is in order that tn,
the prophecy Of the Tribune may be fulfilled
which declared that their sham machine wa!
intended as a spoon with which to dip int
the national soup bowl They cut
ridiculous figure at which ever.
man can afford to laugh except Nj
Blaine. True, he is not responsible
for their resolution in his favor, but som
folks will consider him responsible for wha
he says, or omits to say, concerning it.
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