The Portland daily press., 1883-09-27

LIE ioiioWlng letter, as appears from Its
DATE, was written recently by Hon. D. H.
Chamberlain of New York to ex-Congress
man J. d. Dezendorf Of Virginia. It's lumi-
nous ard isenchant discussion a vexatious
problem in practical politics makes it an i'm
portant contribution to the political litera-
ture of the day:
NEW YORK, September II, 1882.
Hon. John Y. DezendorT Norfolk IA:
MY DEAR 5IR:-The present political contest in
Virginia is, from its nature one of great interest e
the country, as well TO the State and people OF
virginia IL any one is disposed to ask in surprise
or in anger, what my interest in it is or why at
tempt to dis uss it, my answer is FIRST because
think the contest has unique and rather s,art
ing features, which deserve eyerybody's attention
ana, second because as Republican, or as one whc
mas always ac ed with that party think see some
questions involved which touch strongly and rike
deeply into the heart and subs ance of all political
morality and public int gritty. Moreover. / have
earhe the right and propose to exercise it, to feel
special interest in and to express freely my views
upon, matters which concern the welfare OF the
Republican party at the south. So much by way
Of explanation, not apology.
The party in Virginia. C, mmonly tled the Read
Juster or Malone party, was originally organized al
it, first name implies, to oyerturn a St ttlement of
the public debt Of Virginia which had been most
solemuly entered into by the State with her crei
i,ors in 1871, and which involved a surrender, on
their part, of fully one-third of their claims In
other words the sole issue presented except the
political aggrandizement of its leaders, was avowed
and specially shame ess repadiatioa.
1t is not. therefore, the language of passion or ex
aggeratlon, but of exact description to say that ii
was brought forth and Graded in fraud am fraud
alone.
Ano II such was its origin, it must be added that
Its manners and methods have been consistent with
its inborn character Its leader has stood. and
stands in the minds Of all careful observers so far
as know as the type and consummate embodiment
OF political Bossism and self seekiug.
AT time when all wise and true men are seeking
remedy for the evils of partisan al or greed and
The elevation of the public good above all party in
tere, is, this leader looms u as the prince of all
h1eksters in public Offices and what is more deplo-
rable still, if not more shameful, the Republican
party at Washington in variety of ways has either
overlooked condoDed or aided this character and
history. And why? l suppose shall do fun JUS
tlce to all Republicans who support Malone, if say
tits because his vote or votes in the Senate have
partisan struggles there, and because of the belief
or pretense that his party in Virginia is breaking mn
the Bourbon rule, and securing their rights to the
colored race.
This then is the position taken: No matter what
the character conduct of political leader or
ty may be- in all other respects if his or its help can
be had to hold or gain political power and offices,
the mantle of silence or approval shall be laid over
all else For one will not fail to oppose and de-
nouuce such policy by whomsoever practiced or
upheld Its immortality is no5 greater than its folly.
Manone and his followers are not Republicans and
have never professed to be. And if they were. the
sef-respectng portion of that party would be under
even greater obligations to repudiate and cat loose
from them. There are occasions when grave differ
ehces may be overlooked in aid of great resutsand
noble causes, but know of no code of morals or
honor which warrants partnership with repudi-
alton and the veriest political Bossism for the sole
end OF gaining or retaining power ard office.
For the colored people of Virginia can nd some
plausible apologies defense in their support of
this party but it is n truth little for their true
and permanent advantage to ally themselves with
reputation and political prostitution as for any
other class. The men who court their votes for
such ends will abandon them to their worst foes
whenever their own selfish purposes REQUIRE il.
This is an infallibe truth, as true of Readiuster
politicians in Virginia to-day as it has been of 9th
er Hessians and Swiss mercenaries in other times
and countries.
But this is not the whole of the situation in Vir-
ginia The political opponents of Malone the DEM
ocratic party present hardly more reputable front
on the question which has given rise to the present
condition OF things mean the question of public
honor and good faith towards Virginia's creditors
Though in all previous contests with Malone the
Democrats party of Virginia has supported the
public debt settlement of 1871, now we find it de-
hberately abandoning its honorable position and
trailing its banner in the dust in this wise:
"THE STATE DEBT. The Democratic party ac-
cepts as final the recent settlement of the public
debt, pronounced constitutional by the Courts of
last resort, State and Federal, and will oppose all
agitation OF the question any disturbance of that
settlement, by appeals or otherwise From the
Democratic platform adopted unanimously at
Lynchburg, July 27, 1888.
Can Virginians who respect themselves or their
States, stand on such doctrine anc throw stones
at Malone? As between one who plans and ex-
ecutes bold robbery, and those who join him when
he has accomplished his crime and share the spoils
how can an honest man choose? How despicable too
The pretence! How has the Supreme Court of the
United States sanctioned the Re4djuster repudia
ton? In no way, except By deciding that the acts
OF ReadjCster repudiation beyond the reach of
the overriding power of that Court Has that
Court intmated that those acts were less than
infamous?
AS the New York Times has well said: sIt ia an
abject surrender to Nahone and the Readiusters
SO far as concerns the main issue on which the lat
ter won their triumph. 1t justifes the charge that
there was sincerity in their pretended sollcitude
for the honor and credit of Virginia."
Probably no m an CON raoord ~ .ao.-A
aud Louisiana decisions of the Supreme Court with
greater regret and dis approval than do Yen IL is
under this pretended shelter, shameful as well as
silly that the Democracy of Virginia, in their des
perate struggle to regain power arc trying to hide
their ignominious desertion of principle do not
see how any friend of public honesty can support
the Den ocratic party of Virginia in this contest
What course, then, is open? Simply, the course
which understand you pursuing-a steady and
uncompromising opposition to both the Mahoneites
and the Democrats. If there were but ten men in
Virginia who refused TO bow the knee to either of
these Baals, would be one of the ten, knowing
that in tue future, when wrong has had its day. the
right will again, even in Virginia be the majority
in numbers, as it is always in moral power
do not know all the facts, and hence make no
speci charges but if the administration at Wash
ington as the newspapers give us much reason to
fear, is supporting or aiding Mahone it is an in
tolerable humiliation and wrong, and all good
Republicans ought to SO consider it-a special
offence against civil service reform, as well az
against genera lpolitical good conduct Stand fast
then, say, whether alone or with many, by sound
political doctrines; which for me mean ul,cays. the
public good before ali else and perfect good faith
towards public creditors party as an agency merely
for securing these ends; and just nog in addition
an immediate application in nation, States and mu
Of the principles of civil service re-
form; the retention of taxes liquors and tobacco
cessive tariff on imports, to point which viii leave
revenue enough from all sources, and no more to
support, from year to year, economical admins
tration of the government, without increase of
army or navy; no more jobbery or extravagance in
so-called internal improvements whether of trout
ftreams in West Virginia, the Mississippi river;
the avoidance of spirited foreign policies towards
South America as well as Europe; and the resoIute
determination, spite of present discouragements,
to secure to every American citizen the right, as
General Grant once pthily put it, to cast one vote
safely and freely, anu to hare ii counted.
Yours very truly
ID. II. CHAMBERLAIN.
The following letter, never before pub
lished, was written in the height of the
campaign in New York last Fall. 1t was ad-
dressed to gentleman prominent in nation