Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1884-08-21
POLITICS In VIRGINIA.
AN IMPARTIAL REVIEW OF THE
SITUATION,
BY a Prominent Journalist of the Old
Dominion---state Safe for Cleveland
---Mahone Regime Ended.
Special co,respo,soyeace Of the Sentinel. :

Special Correspondence Of the Sentinel.
RICHMOND, Aug. 10.-How the
average Virginian can be content
| ed, even in Heaven with all his
| sins forgiven, without politieal excite
| ment, and an election every year, is
! something that no man can understand.
Seeing that they inherit politics in their
| blood, and inbibe it in their mothers
milk, one can comprehend that the
science of governing is habit that
has grown into a mania, and is to the
sons of the Old Dominion what revo-
luton is to a Mexican-something
to wipe the cobwebs from his
brain and keep his brain active, lit
erary recreation, whose book is man,
and whose study is human nature and
human nature at its lowest discount
when tudied in a'professio onal politician.
Go to any country crossroads in
Virginia to-day, and you will see each
| dry goods box serving as a resting
| place to the patriots who spend long
hours in discussing how to save the
country. Go to any rural school
house in the night, and as hot as it is
you will find it crowded and some as
piring statesman working himself in
frenzy over the situation, the whole
scene lighted up by couple of ksro-
sene lamps.
In Virginia the political situation is
always changing, and the result sur
prises many people who do not inves-
| tigate the cause and effect. In 1879
the Readjuster party sprang like gla-
diator into the arena, and gained a
sweeping victory. In 1880 the same
party was beaten so badly that many
predicted it was utterly killed, but
they forgot the fact that the 10000
men that followed Malone were eide
want white Democrats and any party
who.has such nucleus to rally around
in any one State must necessarily be
formidable. In 1882 both parties
made fair stand up fight over the
Congressman at large, and it showed
that the coalition was some five thou
sand ahead, and then Malone was at
the very zenith of his power, he was
the rock against which the tidal shat
tered wave that swept over all other
States, yet broke upon the Virginia
bulwark. He tasted the sweets of
power. He had the administration at
his feet, he held the patronage of the
state of Virginia in the hollow of his
hand and his audience room was
thronged with a servile crowd like
that of a monarch. He bestowed
places of emoluments and trusts with
a royal hand, and doled out the places
of profit among his friends, and Ma
poleon appointed out Empires to his
favorites.
No man understands how to make
new friends better than Malone, like
Henry Clay, he made an adherent ev-
cry time he shook hands, and couple
of years ago he was always accessible,
his rooms were open and a huge demi-
john and tray full of glasses was an
invitation in itself, and needed no lips
to say walk up and try something.
The log cabin orator with the mud
still On his boots, the grocery store
lounger, the young statesman with
the down still on his cheeks, all boast
ed of a personal intimacy with the
great liberal leader, and were ready to
follow him to the death, Mahone tried
to emulate Mirabeau and be known
as L'homn1e du peupke Cancellation
was his maxim and honesty his policy.
Having thus gained supreme power
in the State by the most mastery and
brilliant State craft can witness, he
stopped short and changed his policy,
and like thousands of leaders before
him, he deemed himself too securely
seated to be harmed by adverse for
tune, for he had intrenched his friends
in every. commanding position of
trust and honor in the Commonwealth.
Harry Riddleberger, fifth rate coun-
ty lawyer, whose sole ambition five
years ago was to be Editor of small
village weekly, the Woodstock Vir-
gi,,iara, on which as sub editor, assist
ant and correspondent he was draw
ing five dollars week, was lifted to
the high position as U. S. Senator.
John Paul good hearted fellow, but
of very medium mental calibre was
given the exalted place of U. S.
Judgeship, life office. Johnny Wise
got to the goal OF his ambition in Con
gress. Ben Lacey who felt satisfied
in his county Judgeship, now is on the
Supreme bench. Dick Farr the das.
tard, who has been chased off every
| platform in his section and who could
not fill the position of the lowest ped
, agogue in the smallest school house in
, the backwoods region, is Superntend
| ent of Schools for the proud State OF
: Virginia. These appointments cast 6
chill over the spirits Of the high
) blooded and high spirited Readjust-
ers and made them lukewarm for thai
; cause which they had infused life and
8 and spirit.
In the campaign of last year, Ma
/ hone was utterly routed and there
/ were three causes that distinctly con
e duced to that end. In the first place
the apathy of the most daring of hi
e offices was strongly felt, secondly, Ma
: homes exclusiveness lost him many
: friends, thirdly, there was too mucl
1 "negro" and they become rather tot
l conspicuous, and shouted more thar
f they ought to have done, they forgo
s their station, and were rapidly assum
s ing the airs they put on in reconstruc
e ton times, and this in consequence los
Malone some thousands of white votes