Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-01

hone, and later, with the cement Of
Federal patronage, compacted into the
most perfect political machine ever con-
structed within the limits Of south
ern State.
The action Of the Convention yester-
day IN nominating Mr.. Massey, "the
father OF Readjusterism,' ~ for the Office
Of Lieutenant Governor, was dictated
by wise regard for the susceptible
ties OF the " original Resdjuster " ele-
ment Of the party, while the nomina-
ton Of MIR. Ayres for Attorney Gene
raj will be particularly grateful to the
young Democracy Of Southwestern
Virginia, and will doubtless add
strength to the ticket. The platform
upon which the nominees will stand
embraces all the live issues OF State
and national politics.
Upon the whole the platform is .
good fighting document in Virginia, and
is expected to contribute not little to
the success this fall to which most Vir-
ginia Democrats look forward with
very considerable degree Of confidence.
THE DEMOCRATS sPEAK LIKE MEN.
Philadelphia rimes.l
The resolutions adopted by the Ma
hone Convention two weeks ago, in
spite Of, or because Of, their inordinate
length, failed TO convey any definite
idea Of what the Republicans of Vir-
ginia were driving at, beyond the exslu-
sion Of Democrats from Office. The
platform Of the Democratic Convention
is very much more sane, it might be sx-
pected. On the leading local issue it
insists that the debt question is finally
settled and is not to be agitated any
more, and it goes as far as the Repub-
lican resolutions, only with much more
clearness Of expression, in support Of
the public schools and other State in
stitutions, while opposinga burdensome
increase Of taxation.
There are some features of consider
able importance in the State, such as
local option, railroad regulation, less
frequent elections, and what not-both
parties, it may be remarked, fav0
State pensions for Virginia soldiers--in
which the platform suggests that the
Virginia Democrats do not deserve to
be called Bourbons. Their declara-
tions on national topics also, on civil
service reform, the tariff and the in
ternal-revenue system show them to be
abreast Of the times. But the general
impression derived from reading the
two platforms goes beyond these mat
ters Of detail. The Democrats talk
like men Of settled convictions and
definite principles who are trying to do
the best that is possible for their State,
while the TRADE Of the Malone people
suggests nothing more than an undis-
ciplined gathering Of freebooters and
camp-followers in pursuit Of spoils.
And this is really the present posi-
tion Of the two parties in Virginia.
Since the practical settlement Of the
debt question there are no longer any
well-defned issues that are not wholly
absorbed in the one paramount issue
Of en- orderly and honest administra-
ton. and the intelligence and honor and
integrity Of the State are arrayed upon
one side, with ignorance and scoundrel-
ism and lawlessness upon the other.
The contest is Of the deepest import
ance for Virginia and indirectly for
every State, and the mental condition
is not to be envied Of those northern
partisans who give their sympathy tC
Malone and his men because it suits
tilen low to call themselves Rcpubli'
cans. They are not Republicans ii
any honest sense, and as spoilsmer
who have already gone far to ruin ;
great Commonwealth they are entitled
to no honest mans sympathy.