New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-27
BOURBONS WHO LEARN.

The action OF the Democratic Convention in
Virginia shows that there are Bourbons who
learn-not much, perhaps, yet something.
The recent appointment 10y Governor Cameron
of two colored men to be public school trustees
in Richmond babe fair at one time to have a
marked effect upon the proceedings of the Con-
vcntOn. A cry went up that Malone meant
to establish "negro supremacy" and Mr.. Fulk-
erson, who was a Readuster member of the
XLVIIth Congress but has since turned Bour-
bon again, went over the State declaring in
public speeches that there would be mixed
schools" and then there would be y mixed
marriages. This was deliciOusly like the
time -honOred argument with which Democrats
we're wont to crush out all debate upon slavery
81 Would You like to have your daughter
marry nigger7r Out of this agitation grew n
demand that the State Convention should
draw the color line,n should call for a white
mans government" and 80 frighten back into
the Bourbon ranks white Democrats who had
strayed of among the Readjusters. There
was q prospect that the Virginia Democrats
would actually turn the hands of time back,
instead OF following the party custom OF merely
cursing the clock under their breath. But it
was soon seen that the Democrats in the negro
counties, who want negro votes, were strongly
opposed to any such course. 1t was found
possible to teach the Bourbons that this would
be folly, and the Convention contented itself
with denouncing the appointment OF colored
trustees for white schools and the mixing OF
races in the schools. The fact that there has
never been time under the present school
System in Virginia when colored men were not
acting as trustees Was, of course, ignored.
In other respects, also, the Virginia platform
is chiefly remarkable for what it does not con-
tain. For example, it does not contain any re-
affirmation of the positive demand OF the
National Democracy in the past two Presidcn-
tial Conventions for a tariff for revenue only"
On this subject the resolution Of the recent
Democratic Convention In Ohio is adopted
literally. Apparently, this resolution, the most
complete shuttle on the tariff question ever
adopted, is to be the device by which the Dem
ocratic party hopes to fool the American people
into believing that it is not hostile to the pro-
tective system. The only thing that can be
said in its favor is that as a specimen OF dOdg
ing it is superior to the platform OF the Ken
lucky Democrats, who were disputing in
the newspapers for some time after the Con-
vention as to which plank it was that referred
to the tariff. Like every other Democratic Con-
venton of tie present year, this rtfrained
from approving the Civil Service law. II made
no demand for free ballot and an honest
count, but denounced bosssm with the vr-
tu0us air of men who had always favored the
utmost freedom, aud practsed absolute hon
esty, in politics. The platform also opposes
any increase of taxation, and any further agi
tation of the State debt question, wants the in
ternal revenue system abolished, falsely claims
the credit of the present condition of the public
schools, and calls for economy and "real" re-
form. This is all. 1t is not strange that there
is not more, when the party organs were act
ually ad vising the convention to say little as
possible. The Lynchburg Vrginian SAID to
the delegates yesterday morning: "We VEN
ture TO express the opinion that there is little
need, at the present time, for defining our
"views on national questions" Yet these very
men will clamor for the control of the National
Government next year.
The coming campaign will be tue advance
struggle of the Presidential year between the
Readiusters ard Bourbons, aud will be inter-
estng. The Lynchburg Convention showed
that the Bourbons will strain every nerve to
crush Malone. Their keenest politicians were
brought to the front. Deserters from Mahone
were specially honored. Steps were taken to
enlarge and improve the party machinery. Be-
tween the two factions the average Northern
voter will hardly know what to do with his
sympatbies. Senator Malone is identified with
various demoralizing practices in politics and
with a scheme of partial repaGiaton. On the
other hand, there is no political abomnation 10
which the Bourbon Democrats are not stepped |