Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-09-22
FROM WASHINGTON.

"A
said to be its sweetest, so of Mahone's ex.
niring gasps in this campaign. It's one Oh
his fayorite boasts that he's been TO Apo,
mattox; that he knows an apple tree"
when he sees it, and is neither to be sur
prised on the one hand or intimidated on
the other by anything occurring in the for
tunes of war. There is little question, judg-
ing from headquarter appearances at his
home in Petersburg, that he can, in the
very presence and face of disaster, put on
the jauntiest of airs and appear the most
cheerful of cut Threats even after all efforts
to scuttle and sink the ship have been pri
vately abandoned. Sundry persons, espec-
tally young men of the Valley of Virginia,
who have lately visited him at his residen-
tial retreat in the Cockade City, report the
most exceeding buoyancy of spirits on the
part of Malone. His visitors are all re-
ceived with the greatest blandness of man
ner, and his sideboard was never so bounti-
fully stock ed with the choicest in the market.
Said well-known republican in speaking
of Mahone's simulated cheerfulness to-day:
"Why it is the most omin0us Of signs. On
top he always is as bristlipg and cruel as q
rat terrier at bottom he is always as supple
and playful as kitten" He knows the
chances are as thousand to one against
with his liberality as host, but his mastery
of the situation in the State. 1t is said that
to young ones he is especially agreeable,
showing them the details of his wonderful
organization, reading the muster rolls
of his troops in their hearing, talking
of his assured victory, &C., sc. 1t is char
acteristic of the man, and is we'll known to
all who are familiar with his attempts to
influence the legislation of Virginia, that he
is never so aGable as when he sees defeat
staring him in the face; never so repellant
as when things are going as he wants them.
And so it is with him in other respects.
When on the ebb tide he is the personifca-
ton of generosity; when on the food, none
so ungenerous or deficient in gratitude.
Two of the young men of the Valley, on
their return from a visit to him, stoppod
here last night, and were so impressed with
his animation that they desired to Laint the
town red, and to go forth at once and single
handed against the cavalry hosts of Fitz.
Lee and annihilate them with the bosom of
destruction.
A democratic Senator, in talking about
the junior Senator from Virginia, this morn
ing, said he was so utterly worthless that
his sayings and doings amounted to moth
ing; that some of his democratic colleagues
had once been in favor Of conciliatory
course towards him, but that he had gagged
the man properly from the first, and had
advised them to let him alone, as he would
be O source of weakness rather than of
strength to the party. He concluded his
reference to Mr.. Riddleberger by saying
he had no doubt he would sell Malone
without hesitation if he could make cent
by the transaction, but that he did not sup
pose any reputable man would bargain with
him. Two of Senator Riddleberger's Valley
friends are in the city to-day. They say he will
enter the campaign next week, and continue
in it until its close. In view of the fact that
Mr.. Wise, no matter what he may say now,
did say, some time ago, that "Riddlebergers
inactivity would't make any difference" his
determination TO speak for Mr.. Wise is
strange-but only to those who don't know
him.
The New England Veterans who have
been visiting the battle fields in the Valley
of Virginia arrived here this morning on
their return, and will stop here for the day.
They speak in the highest terms Of the
man for whom they entertain higher respect
than General Lee.
Congressman McNIillin, who spoke in
Alexandria last week, left here last night
for his home in Carthage, Tennessee. He
says he will speak in Lynchburg on the 18th
proximo, and after that will speak as often
as the people may want to hear him in the
country between Lynchburg and the Ten
nsssee border.
1t is reported here from Norfolk that ow-
ing to the strong legislative nominations
the democrats have made there, the Ma
honeites intend to withdraw Hodges, whom
they recently nominated for the Senate in
Norfolk county, and put Rue in his place, SIS
the only means by which it is possible for
them to elect Senator, and that, too,
though there are two candidates to divide
the opposition vote, democratic and a
republican.
It's understood here that every congress
sional if not every legislative district of Vir-
sinia will be represented at the colored con-
vention to meet in Lynchburg on the 30th
inst, that that convention will be represen-
tative of the colored race, and that it will
take strong ground against Gen. Malone, as
the intelligent colored men of the State are
tired of his receptions, and have determined
to assist their reputable white fellow citi
zens in the effort they are now making to
turn him down "for keeps"
Though Surgeon General Hamilton, of
the hospital marine service, has resigned, it
is said here to-day it is by no means GER
tain his resignation will be accepted, and
that he may continue to hold his position
Vice President Hendricks, who is still in
the city, says he believes the people of the
country are with the democratic party,
though there is little dissatisfaction at the
delay in removing republican of1iceholders.
His wife says she never expected to see her
husband receive colored men in his parlor
aud talk politics with them with as much
earnestness and seriousness as he would
had they been white Senators, but that she
has. This shows that the democratic Vice
President entertains very different idea of |
,nlored noonla from that held nv Mr. Wisa