Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-21
FRIDAY...........AUGUST 81, 1855

A special correspondent Of the New
York World telegrsphs to that paper
from Richmond that "the Virginia
Democrats have for the first time in
their political history decided to give
national character to local contest,
and in so doing have taken an aggres-
sive stand in rallying the party on such
advanced grounds as the Republicans
have assumed ~; also, that " MAHoNE
is equally clever in appealing to the
northern Republicans to aid him in re-
capturing the State in order to save the
party two United States senstorships,
and at the same time menace the solid
South by breaking the front line of the
Democracy of that section" What
the Worlds correspondent says regard
ing the national character of the Vir-
ginia campaign is, as a general propo-
sition, correct as far as it goes, but
it does not 60 far enough, es-
pecially in respect of the "na-
tional character" Of the Democratic
canvass. That Democratic victory in
Virginia is matter Of such great i'm
portsnce outside Of the State is due to
the issues as they stand-dse to the
fact that good citizens everywhere are,
in the nature Of things, interested in
the triumph of the principles laid down
in the Virginia platform. To state the
case Of the Virginia Democrats as
the Worlds correspondent states it
does not give it in its breadth.
They are fighting, as we have re-
peatedly said, not only to keep Vir-
ginia from passing under Republican
rule next fall, but to place the State
permanently in line with the party of
progress. The election of q Democratic
Legislature will not only mark the end
of MAHoNE's senatorial aspirations,
but will mark great advance
in the matter Of making the
Senate Democratic. A complete Demo-
cratic victory will not only be guaran-
tee Of pure and upright circuit judges,
but will emphasize the demand for the
abolition Of that odious Republican mea-
sure the internsl-revenue system. But
upon broader ground than this do
the Democrats Of Virginia appeal
to the nation for sympathy and
support. In fighting to render the
eleventh amendment to the Constitution
operative, they are fighting the battle
OF all the States. The Constitution
has been grossly violated. To use the
language of Chief-Justice WAITE,
speaking through Justice BRADLEY,
the enemies of Virginia made "an
attempt, through the medium of the
Federal courts, to coerce Virginia."
and STANLEY MATTHEWS and
his four asserting justices, by a
legal fction and by usurpation sus-
tanned that attempt. The Virginia
Democrats, in making this matter an
issue, in planting themselves squarely
upon the Constitution, in proposing to
cause the Constitution to be respected
by the highest judicial tribunal in the
land, deserve the thanks Of the nation.
As to MAHoSR's appeals to the northern
Republicans to aid him in recapturing
the State, it remains to be seen what
the answer will be. As we said the
other day, it is question whether he
can collect for his purposes any con-
siderable amount Of money in the
North, now that the northern Repub-
licsns are themselves out of power and
need every dollar they can raise to en-
able them to carry New York next
November, and thousands of dol
lars they cannot raise to enable
them to carry Ohio. However,
one thing is, we think, certain.
Admitting that there is disposition
among the northern Republicans to give
MALONE substantial aid in his can
vass, the Democrats have it in
their power to keep ii from TAX
ing practical shape. However much
the mslignants may sympathize with
MAHoNE's party, if the Virginia
Democrats will, by perfecting their or
ganization and putting their best mer
forward in the close counties. make
Y it plain that MALONE is leading
= a forlorn hope, sympathy must expent
itself largely in good wishes. OF cours,
MALONE victory would be grea
thing for the northern allies, but Just
in proportion as there is uncertainty
about the matter will these allies be
liable to concentrate their efforts in
northern States.