Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-08-26
ARRa1GsMENT OF WISE AND MALONE.

speech of the campaign at King William c.
H. Monday. Mr.. Massey opened his re-
marks by explaining the differences that
existed among democratic voters on the
debt question. The Riddleberger bill set
tied that matter finally. He quoted from
editorials in the Malone papers in the State
to show that Malone regarded that the
Legislature which passed that bill had car
ried out every pledge and measure upon
which the readjuster members of it were
elected.
Said Mr.. Massey: Now if one party says
we have passed every measure redeemed
every pledge, and the other party says l
accept it rs final, then that question is set
tied. | do not propose to discuss the debt
question further than may refer to the po-
sition Of the two parties-one seeking to
hold, the settlement as it is, and the other
hobnobbing with federal judges for the pur-
pose Of getting the question opened forspec-
ulation. then ask you in whose hands
will it I've more safe and permanent? This
question is settled as far as the Legislature
can settle it, unless there be need for some
amendatory acts to stop some leakage or to
put up the bars pulled down by Hughes,
Bond and Malone"
Mr.. Massey laid down the following as
the most important questions involved in
this contest: First, government is intend
ed Tor the good Of the governed secondly,
the government ought TO be so administered
as to project equally the rights and promote
the welfare Of all its subjects; thirdly, that
this will hest be done by introducing in the
various Offices of government men of intelli-
sercc, culture, honesty and virtue. May
not assume that all who hear agree with me
that the propositions are sound and correct?
II so, We are prepared 10 inquire into the
composition of the Two parties which are
seeking your cooperation and sufrages.
The two rival parties characterize them
selves respectively, The democratic party Of
Virginia and the republican party of Vir-
GINA"
The speaker then touched up Mr.. John S.
Wise, the republican candidate for Cover
nor. He quoted letter written by Mr..
Wise, and published March "a, 1881, in
which be closed by saying: The white re-
publican in Virginia does not want any &C
ccs>cn to the ranks of his parry. Martyr
dom, soothed by reward, is the whole phil
osophy Of bis politics" Mr. Massey said
Mr.. Wise has expressed desire to meet
General Lee, his democratic opponent, but
was not willing to meet him Massey. II
noble qualities-bravery and prudence. He
would strike minister of the gospel if he
was one hundred and fifty years old and in
the pulpit. Now, that was a brave man:
almost as brave O man as one who would
strike woman-and as brave as julius Cn
sar when there is no man to come down to
his level to meet him. Why, FalstaH, who
WIS prudent by instinct. was no more pru
dent than Mr.. Wise" Loud laughter.
He alluded to Wise's course while in Con-
gress in supporting proposition to pension
all persons who served in the federal army
during the war. Mr.. Massey said he did
no! think the people should be taxed to pay
any hut wounded soldiers. Said the speak
eli: Il ask, is there a Virginian whose
bosom does not heave with indignation at
such q proposition as this coming from
Virginan? l am glad that he was not
born in Virginia, but 10 Rio, on the South
American continent. | had heard that he
was born OH the water. l believed it, for
he has never come down to terra irma yet.
III his deposition before the Danville inves
tigating committee, given in February,
1854, he shows his estimate of the colored
legislation. He said: Black members Of
the Legislature come to consult me as TO
politics; they go to the kitchen and send up
their names, and | 20 10 the back yard 10
receive Them"
Accepting these statements as true, il
must be apparent that party SO composed
dues not possess that intelligence and cul-
ture, saying nothing of honesty and virtue,
what are requisite to the proper administra.
ton Of the government of great State, and
that to place its government in their hands
would be destructive to their own interest
as well as the interest of others. We can
Judge what will be tho result OF again placing
the government in the hands Of this party
in which it has been in the past, for al
though it is claimed that the republican
party of Virginia. has hcen but recently or.
ganized, the leaders of this party are the
same men who but short time before
boosted Of their undying democracy, and
were interested in the administration OF the
government of the State.
Gen. Malone, who rules the new organ
zation with autocratic power, was elected
to the United States Senate rs a demo
cratic readjuster' There he made public
boast of his democracy. On the 9th of July,
1880, he favored the appointment of Presi
dental electors pledged 10 the support OF
Hancock and English, the democratic nom
inees for President and Vice-President. Yet,
while thus publicly Haunting his democracy,
he was nsidiously bargaining to betray his
party and turn it and his State over 10 the
national republican party Surely the peo
pie of Virginia will never reinvest man
with power who has shown himself 80 des-
titute of honor and so unworthy of con-
fdence.
Had the democratic readjusters who
participated in the convention of July I,
1880, suspected his treachery, they would
have spurned cooperation with him. He
is now hobnobbing with republican judges
to defeat the settlement of the State debt,
which he pretended to favor, and have the
subject reopened for political capital and
speculation. Occupying the high position
Of United States Senator, he dishonors it by
disappearing the State and slanderng
her best people.
Capt. John S. Wise, republican capdi-
date for Governor, proclaimed that he was
born democrat, reared democrat, in
tended 10 die democrat He denounced
the white republicans of Virginia as apos-
tates for the price of their apostacy,' and
uet in q few months thereafter he accented