National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-04-25
Republican virginia.

By far the most important political event
Of the year was the merging of the roadjuster-
coalition party of Virginia into the regular
republican party at the state convention
Ever since the reconstruction of the seeded
states it has been the constantly expressed
wish of patriotic men in the north that the
color line in politics should cease to exist in
the south. 1t was inevitable that the great
body of the newly enfranchsed voters should
attach themselves to the republican party
aud as long as their civil and political rights
are not fully recognized by tho democrats of
the south they will not vote the democratic
ticket. Where they are not permitted to vote
for republican candidates they generally re-
frain from voting at all.
An unexpected concurrence of local events
in Virginia has broken tho color limo. A
largo body Of white democrats broke away
from the regular party organization upon a
local issue in 1880, and, after maintaining an
independent organization for four years, has
finally given up the name by which IL has
heretofore been designated and coalescod with
the republican party. Tho political revolu.
ton which has been so earnestly hoped for
has become an accomplished fact in one of the
largest and most populous of tho southern
states.
The new element which has como to the
front is composed in large part of intelligent,
courageous, and aggressive white mon, who
can neither DO intimidated by threats of
physical violence nor crushed by social ostra-
cism. Malignant as is the bourbon spirit in
Virginia, 1t cannot deter the new republican
leaders from expressing their political con-
victions nor prevent them from claiming that
participation in the local governments to
which they arc entitled by reason of being
representatives Of the majority party. Hence.
forth there will be republican party in Vir.
ginia which can fight its own battles and as.
sert it own rights.
In order to elect their candidates in coun-
ties in which the parties are nearly evenly
balanced, the bourbons will be obliged tc
give up the color line and to solicit the vote.
of colored men by whatever peaceful art.
they may choose to employ. The fierce intol
erance which cropped out in the Danville
riot will gradually give way to political
necessity, and both parties will find it tC
their interest to do equal and exact justice to
all. This is tho consummation for which
patriotic republicans have been laboring
these many years, and il seems about to be
\ realized in Virginia.
We are not indifferent to the fact thai
there is faction of so-caled straightout'
republicans in the state who have heretofore
opposed the coalition, and may even yo
attempt to set up an electoral ticket of their
own. AS matter of course this can only b.
done for the benefit Of tho democratic party
and those who lead the movement will re
ceive as much consideration from the bour
bons as if they came over in body and voted
the democratic ticket. Tho revolutionar,
programme could not have been carried gu
by the legislature last winter without tn,
assistance of republican "straightouts," an,
if they choose to continue the alliance the,
have perfect right to act according to theil
convictions. There is one thing certain
however, the national republican convention
will not permit them to pose as republicans
If they send delegates they will not bo ad
mitted, and if they set up an electoral ticke
it will have no recognition.