Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-11-25

To the editor Of the alexandria Gazette ::

To the editor Of the Alexandria Gazette:
ALEXANDRIA, Nov. 23.-For nearly 46
years | have been very constant reader of
the GAZETTE, and for the greater part OF
| that time it WAS edited by valued personal
and political friend. He was D man of de-
cided ability, of general information, ripe
Judgment, prudent, Conservative and patri.
otto. I can call 10 MUD no political subject
about which we differed. For those who
have succeeded him in the conduct of the
Journal hs loved so dearly, in their success
and prosperity l feel none but the most
friendly soiialtude; but, Mr.. Editor, am an
OLD man now, broken down in health, and
probably have become IN 'olG focy" in my
views, as ind myself widely differing v ilh
my once old friend the GAzETTE-a
young America" vi 20 day. Presumirg
upon the libernlity that gives place 10 views
| at variance with those SO earnestly urged
By the paper, l respectfully ask for a last
word Of warning TO the democrats of Eir-
ginia. / will not dwell upon the political
condition of Virginia since 1879; the intense
hostility that has existed between those
who have honestly differed politically, not
only arraying friend against friend, neigh
Dor against neighbor, bus kindred
against kindred; oil of (which could
have been avoided had the democrats
the conservatives of the State, been a little
more tolerant a little more torbearing with
each other and wisely agreed to settle their
differences themselves without the interyen.
ton OF outsiders, hitherto enemies. MIR
Editor, ID the memory of that time so plea.
SAINT as to render repetition Of it desirable ?
Ii not, then let US be careful how we force
The debt issue, especially at this extremely
critical period. For one, would willingly
agree to any reasonable compromise with
the creditors, to dispose of, finally and for.
ever: go dangerous an issue, to four or sven
I'VE per cent. interest, though q slight in
crease OF taxation should be required. But
suppose this should be done, suppose any
oiler, il matters not how liberal it might be-
that required any increase in the rate Of in
terest or Of taxation, should be accepted
thls winter, and went before tho people for
their approval in the election Of Legislature
next tall-Gs inevitably would be the case
what chance would the democrats stand as
Its advocates lu my humble Judgment
none whatever. Mark the prediction: if the
bondholders ever secure better terms. it will
be by their union with the republicans. The
democrats are the taxpayers of the State;
they have the debt to pay and in nv opin
ion they will never consent to better terms
than the Riddleberger bill. AS TO the re.
publican party, the negroes, who constitute
the great bulk Of that party, what would it
matter TO them, save in the South
west, what the ratio of taxation might be-
having none of it to pay, and those in the
Southwest. With such an issue the 9th dis.
trlct would soon become the ninth legion 81
democracy. 10 force this issue, then, will
be most unfortunate for the democratic par.
ty, and this is just what every democrat is
dong who, against the protest of the State
and the patriotic appeal of the Governor
pays his taxes py the gracious permission OF
the federal courts in coupons. The right oil
those TO do so, who are the owners of the
bonds from whence the bonds are derived
cannot be questioned.
And now one other prediction Grover
Cleveland will be the next President of the
United States, or he will it republican. !
do not for one moment question the disin.
terested honesty of such democrats as are
opposed 10 Mr.. Cleveland; l only uues.
ton The wisdom Of their effort to render him
unpopular. He differs with us, doubtless
in many ways and probsbly it is well for
the party at large that he does, for our
ways, may not be the way of the great
body of the people of the country, but SO
long as We can have our way let us be con.
teut. think he is as bold, brave, honest
true and as able man, as has filed the of.
lice since The day of James Madison; and il
the democratic party repudates him because
OF his honest enforcement of "civil SERVICE
rule and should present 3 candidate known to
be hos1ilc to them, it is my belief hundreds here
| III Alexandria, thousands in Virginia and tens Of
thousands Of as good and loyal democrats through.
out the country as ever cast ballot will STAY
| from the polls or vote for the republican candi.
date, If he be conservative republican, such as
Harrison oil Indians; Alls IN, of Iowa or the like.
II he Is not sound, reliable democrat and Bay.
ard, Lamar, Garland Manning and the rest are
not to be trusted it will be idle to hope to find
those who may he in this country Let us give
credit to their merits praise their virtues ard not
uWcl upon such trivial faults as they may possess
| 10 the rictors belong tho spoils would be a
| platform suitable, would say, for Blaine but not
| Tor tho conservative democrats and republicans
who elected Cleveland. Tho prospect before us is
Tor close contest, under tho most favorable cir
cumstances hero in Virginia and in the union.
| Let us, then, husband all of our resources avoid
! All pickering and contention and act with eau
ton and prudence as menlbrrs of ono household,
with one common object in view snd We may
| look forward TO the future hopefully 80 mote
| u DC SENEX