The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-09-06
ga Burnt Child breads the Fire."

Republican Journals, we observe,
have discovered that Malone is very
poor Republican after all, and that his
after and final defeat will be no
very serious misfortune to the party.
This change of tune has a sweet sug-
yestiveness which can not be over
looked. Malone is now just as good a
Republican as he ever was, and he was
considered so good a one even by the
lamented Garfield that the Federal
patronage in Virginia was placed in
mis- hands Internationally. to be disposed
Of as he saw fit. 1t is rather late in the
day for Republicans to find fault with
heir purchase. Malone, elected to the
Senate as Democrat by Democratic
gotes, offered himself for sale and
named his price. The Republicans
bought him and paid the pricewithout
iefalcation or discount. They knew ex-
actly what they were getting and were
glad to get it. Such highly moral Or
gans as the New York Tribune reioiced
greatly over the infamous transaction.
Malone was a prodigal son returning to
his fathers house, and dozen fatted
calves were none too many for the cele-
5ration of the family reunion. He could
have and should have as many "rings
on his fingers and bells on his toes"
in the shape of offices, as he wanted,
for was he not the predestined leader of
a new Southern departure? the advance
guard of a mighty host of Southern Dem
OcratS who We're to desert Democracy
and join the Republicans? Who does
not remember the storm of cOngratula-
ton over what was facetiOuSly called
"the conversion of Mahone?" Who
does not remember the Republican pre-
dictionS in regard to the tremendous eff
feet this conversion would have up
on the solid Democratic South? Ma
homes eXampie-sO said these prophets
would be initiated in every Southern
State, and in Il few years a prominent
and influential Southern Democrat
could not be found without Il search
warrant. There has been a fearful dis
appointment, of course, but is Malone
to blame for it? He has faithfully full
filled the terms of his contract, and
what more could be asked of him? If
Southern Democrats saw the treason
and despised and damned the traitor,
was it his fault? Republicans are not
particularly popular in the South, even
the best of them; and Republican,
made such by open and unblushing
bribery, is naturally and inevitably an
object of deepest detestation. The Re-
publican party paid Malone for his
treachery, and Southern Democrats
paid him again, in a different way, and
will continue to pay him as long as he
ives-and afterwards.
The fact is-and this is what gals
and digusts the Republican purchasers
Malone has done the party far more
harm than good. 1t was odious enough
in the South before, but he has man
aged to make it still more odious. Not
only this, but his methods in Virginia
have not merely demOralized and disor-
ganized the Republicans in that State,
but sickened the better class in the
North. At the very time this class
were trying to get rid of the curse of
''bossism'' in New York and Pennsyl-
vania, the spectacle of the meanest
''bosses" in Virginia, supported by a
Republican Administration, was not
pleasant to look upon. Conkling and
Cameron were angels of light compared
with Malone. They had some decency
and dignity even in their worst acts; he
had none, and did not pretend to any.
From first to last he has been
son the make" and the fraud,
corruption and rascality which North
ern Republican bosses tried to
conceal, this Southern Republican
"boss'' Haunted in the face of the
world. To s'assume virtue if you
have it not was foreign to his nature,
for virtue was not in his line of bust
ness, and the semblance of it might en-
barrass him. So ne has gone on in his
own way, and very pretty way it is
when studied from the standpoint of
human depravity and impudence. The
Republicans have got Malone; now let
us see them get rid of him. He is, for
them, veritable ''Old Man of the
Sea-" firmly seated on the shoulders of
the party, and resolved to ride as long
as legs and lungs hold out. The party
has made itself responsible for him and
his, and that responsibility is an uncom-
monty heavy burden, as Republicans
are now ascertaining to their sorrow and
shame. 1t is safe to say that the next
Malone in the market will not be
snapped up as quickly rs was the pres
ent one. "A burnt child breads the
fire. ST. Louis Republican.