National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-30
Senators Malone and Riddloberger and
Their Virginia Associates.


Their Virginia Associates.
These two United States senators and the
class of white citizens of Virginia whom
they politically represent deserve the re-
spect and gratitude Of the northern peo-
pie, not Of Republicans alone, but of all
enlightened, liberal, and progressive men,
without distinction of party. They de-
liberately and conscientiously abandoned
the old and injurious opinions Of the bour-
bon Democracy, denounced all attempts to
revive the spirit of caste and to Cypress the
colored people, commenced an earnest war
fare against popular ignorance, demanding
the protection and liberal support of free
common school system, turned their backs
upon the rebellion and all its false notions,
and their faces toward the arising of q new
Virginia-all citizens and voters equal, all
children educated, all labor well paid and
respected, all home industries protected-a
redeemed commonwealth worthy of the
renown Of her earliest days and OF the
fame OF her distinguished and patriotic
sons, Washington, jefferson, and Madison.
Senators Malone and Rddleberger found
the state impoverished by the rebellion
and overwhelmed by an indebtedness
which could not be carried or met strictly
according to its terms; they believed that
a plan of readiustment should be adopted
which would fund the debt at rate of
interest which the people could pay regu-
larly and surely; they carried through such
n plan, which now stands approved and
confirmed by substantially all men of both
parties.
These two senators and their associates,
for their brave, sagacious, and patriotic
political action, have been subjected to the
most violent denunciation from the bour-
bons of Virginia and the Democracy OF the
country, and to condemnation by some Re-
publican editors who have failed to investi-
gate and comprehend the character of the
movement which these men inaugurated
and of the bitter opposition which they en-
IvuIlteied. But but ii Political history, to be
calmly and fairly written, their course will
appear in its true light, and will be admired
and praised by all just Americans.
Senator Malone has not been more
grossly misrepresented and more scurrilously
detained than any Of his fellow senators be-
cause his principles or methods differ from
or are more censurablo than those Of the
most honorable Republican senator upon
thc floor. His views are broad statesman
like, and progressive. His political meth
DDS are positive and forceful, but legiti-
mate and honorable. Charges to the con-
trary arc either meudacious inventions or
base eXaggcrations proceeding from the
malevolencc Of southern Democrats who
make him the object of their fury more
than any other person at the south solely
for reason which we propose to state.
Having been distinguished confederate
general, Senator Malone has dared to be
an aggressive political leader in n southern
state; carrying on political contests, success
full until lately, in making that state Repub-
lican; the sole Republican outpost in the
gloomy waste of Democratic darkness
which now, as before the rebellion, covers
the solid south.
His offense hath this extent and no more.
His associates in Virginia, and some men
like him in North Carolina and Tennessee,
have to bear opprobrium Of the same char
| acter and for the same cause, but 1t remains
true that Senator Malone is the most con-
| spicuous and, therefore, the most hated o
the few southerners who dare to act with
the great Republican party of the north.
Before the war the proslavery politicians
meditating treason and rebellion had n
swift and sure method Of silencing any
of their leaders who dared falter in support
Of slavery or the schemes for its aggraudi2e-
ment. The barbarous dueling code pre-
vailed and they shot and killed those whom
they could not otherwise suppress. Thus
| the gallant Broderick went to his death.
| Thus Malone, Riddleberger, Wise, Cameron,
Blair, and others, through repeated chal-
lenges from q swarm Of Democratic des-
peradoos, would have been taken Off II they
had not, conforming TO the spirit of adj
vancing civilization, discarded that relic OF
bsrbarism-the dueling code. Ready as
they have been to defend themselves If at
tackled, their malignant enemies have not
dared to attempt to make way with them,
as were murdered in Mississippi the
martyred Chisolm and Matthews solely
because they were Republicans and wished
to live and die free men. Virginia has
been brought back to the Democratic fold
and the south again solidiied, mot by killing
the white leaders of the opposition, but by
killing negroes at Danville.
The weapons actually used against Sen
ator Malone and his comrades have, how
ever, been welded with not less malignity
than have the shotguns and pistols which
have assailed the colored voters. Socia
and business ostraclsm, personal insults ant
upbraidings, falsehood and calumny have
pursued these honorable gentlemen and
their families from the first moment wher
they took their stand upon their duty ant
their right to act with the Republican party
They have had to endure patiently oblouuy
such as northern Republicans can hardly
conceive Of, only pGralleled by that will
which the abolitionists of old time wer,
tried as by fire.
These Virginians Of whom we write ar
entitled to be indicated, TO be respected
to be honored by the Republicans of TIN
north. II may be that In the ''eclipse o
faith" which obscured the vision Of 81
many Republicans in the campaign Of 1884
the full virtues of these southern allies wer
not discerned. It is possible that the com
mercial north, anxious as before the rebel
lion for southern trade, will consent to con
tinue to be governed and to have their high
est interests controlled by an aristocrac
based upon ia solid SOUTH" and that N
cheering word or helping hand is to be OK
tended to southern Republicans to Undue
them to continue the conflict against thos
local despots, who live only to glorify tn
lost cause and to ''get even with the north
for the triumph of the Union instead of til
rebellion.
But surely there should remain anon
the Republican editors, speakers, senators
and representatives of the prosperou
north enough justice and moral com
age to yindicAte and honor in all suit
able ways and on all proper occasion
the integrity, foarlossness, and patriotism
with VVbipb Gonotpp bog 90 l.y