The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-08-13
Charleston News and Courier
The Contest In Virginia.


The people of Virginia are now fairly en-
gagged in the political contest which is to decide
whether they will be held longer under the rule
of Mahoneism and Republcanism, or whether
they will establish anew government In keep
ing with the ancient honor and dignity Of the
"Old Dominion"
The opposing parties in the State are well
represented in the persons of their leading can
ddates but the question is not one of the com
paratiye merits Of these candidates alone. The
fight this year. now that the Democrats have
accepted the Riddleberger settlement and
shelved the debt issue, is squarely between The
Democratic and Republican parties and upon
the ISSUES that have divided those parties in the
field of Southern and National politics. Gen.
Fitzhugh Lee stands forth a. the representative
OF the best elements of the population OF the
State, and az the exponent OF Democratic con
ceptions OF the nature, functions and policy OF
The State, and Federal Governments. Mr.. John
5. Wise, who opposes him. represents all tina,
Malone has represented before him. and appeal,
10 the suffrages of the people as an out-and- out
Republican. BY slow degrees Virginia has
refrigerated in political sense since the war
until it has now reached the point which all the
other Southern States reached and passed
cessively in their forward movement during The
period that ended with the election of Mr.. Til
den. The simple question which the people OF
Virginia have now to decide therefore, is
whether they will consent to see that retrograde
movement continued indefinitely to the dis
grace and ruin Of thtir State, or whether they
will call halt at this suspicious period in
national politics. and set the State forward again
in the career ofprosperity which is open before it,
The value OF Democratic victory IN Virginia
this year Can scarcely be Overestimated. 1t Will
secure the complete and final overthrow Of Ma
honesm and Republlcanism, which are now
fighting for lite unaided by the potent hand of
the National Government so willingly out
stretched to aid them in other campaigns. 1t
will redeem The State from the ills that it has
suffered under Of late years, and will help the
Dem ocratic party TO win the control OF the
United States Senate, which ought to be accom-
plished by the elections of this year and next.
1t will also carry enthusiasm into the close
Northern States in the canvass OF next year
and will put final damper upon the claim OF
the Republicans that President Cleveland has
not the support of the South or Of his own party
in the great work of reform in which he is en-
gagged.
1t would be idle to pretend, however, that
Republican success is impossible Malone and
Riddleberger and Wise are shrewd and earnest
politicians and they will fight desperately for
victory which involves their every political and
personal interest. They fully realize the lmpor-
lance Of carrying the State in this contest, and
put their best man forward. Victory would give
them a new lease OF power not only in Virginia,
but in the councils Of the National Republican
party. with which they are now fully identified
and from which alone they have anything TO
hope in future. Mr. Blaine has already written
to encourage them in their efforts, and Mr.. Wise,
1t is stated, has gone North to make the usual
appeal Of the Northern Republican leaders for
money and help from that quarter. The appeal
will not be made in vain but it will probably not
be without its effect, likewise, in Virginia in
driving away from him many of the voters
whom he has publicly declared can be bought.
The campaign will doubtless be vigorously
conducted on both sides, but the Democrats have
at last fair field. and they ask no tavors. They
have The responsibility, honesty and intelligence
of the State their side, and leader who is
host in himself If the people of Virginia sup
port their cause and their candidate, as they de-
serve to be supported, Malone and Wise will be
placed in position, in few months, where it
will be pertinent for Mr.. Blaine to follow up his
recent letter of congrstulation to them with one
of sincere and lasting sympathy.