Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1885-11-21
DAILY -INTElLlGENcER
MALONE. VIRGINIA ASp Tue SOLID
setTH.

MALONE. VIRGINIA AND TuE SOLID
setTH.
Many reports are 10 circulation eoH-
corning the future intentions Of ssns
tor Malone. II IA generally understood
that when bis term ia the senate sx
pires, which will not be until 1ssI, be
will retire from politics, but there is
difference Of opinion ~ ,s Uhefe be
will reside in faturs. IL is stated by
some who profess 10 kbos, ths; be viii
remove to Dakota and settle on farm
ia she Red River Valley. Others assert
that be gill remain in Virgins. and
that be has already been offered the
position Of general manager OF the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad IL -
net probable, however. that Malone
will hereafter 6nd Virginia pleasant
place Of residence. Socially be has
been osiraeized. His old friends will
have nothing 10 do With him nox. The
wreck OF his political fortunes IL com
pless, and be can scarcely dream OF
recovering the ground he has lost. In
his old home the ghost Of his past
greatness would haunt him, and be
would feel that each man who passed
him on the streets vas mentally con
trassing bis past and his present. Such
considerations would be enough TO IN
duos almost any man TO turn his back
on his State, and TO take mp bis resi-
dence among strangers, whom he might
gradually transform into friends. Ma
hone, however, IL not an ordinary man.
He Is foil of fight and pluck and logged
perseverance,. IL would be just like
him 10 defy bis neiRhbors by living
amsng them. He IL good hater, and
il might suit his fancy to live hereafter
an isolated life among the people of
whom he was snce leader.
As for Virginia. there is little doubt
that II will drop back TO its old place
in the Solid South. II will do this
whether Malone continues TO be Viz |
sinian or becomes a resident of Dakota. |
The defeat Of the Resdiustsrs Was 80 |
complete that they can scarcely hope |
again TO contest the State with any pros |
pect of success. The Bourbon Democ-
racy vill gradually strengthen the hold
they have obtained until Virginia be
comes one Of the reliable States Of the |
Solid South.
The Solid South The phrase 10 not |
q pleasant one to American ears. lire
spective OF all political opinions and
preiudices, one must admit that 1t Is a
bad thing 70 have large section Of the |
country attached unquestioninely 10 the
fortunes Of single political party, to |
have sixteen States in which political
contests ara virtually never held. What |
ever policy the Democratic party may
adopt, whatever candidate 1t may pat
forward, ID can count with certainty
upon carrying every Southern State.
The contest for supremacy must be in
the North, and II the Republicans lose
two or three States out Of the twenty
two, they are beaten. No one can deny
that this Ia bad state of affairs. With
out reference TO what causes operated
10 bring u about or to what causes
operate TO maintain IL, she Solid SOUTH
is menace to the American political
system.
The worst feature Of IL all il that no
one can hope for break in the South
in the near future. No one has reason
20 believe that any one State will break
away from the rest and become an OBJ
iect Of contention between tso political
parties. The whole south is bound to.
gsther by bonds 10 strong n TO seem
unbreakable. yet 30 subtle that 1t is al.
most impossible 10 know their nature.
Practically IL h power within power
"a league OF States existing within the
United States, which. although not di-
rectly antaeonistie 10 the Union, is q
menace TO 1t. There are questions
which force themselves upon ones
mind when these things are thought Of.
VIII the South always DO solid Will
lie States never divide ON any
political issue that may arise viii
the Democratic National Conventions
always be able 10 say. When We nomi
nate candidate We give him absolute
iy 1873 electoral votes. He must ask the
people for their SURFACES in twenty-five
Of the States. but the ether sixteen he
has without q contest"