Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-20
Tho Rln,neites ON Mahona.


CHARLES EMORY SMITH, New Yorker and
a leading BLAINE man, now the editer OF the
Philadelphia Press, probably speaks for the
BLAINE leaders in the following article;
THE DIVISION IL VIRGINIA. Republic
cans OF the country must deplore and VIII
as certainly condemn the arbitrary and mex
cusabe methods employed Oy General Ma
hone to hold the Republican organization OF
Virginia under his personal domination.
He has sought from the first 70 throttle the
free expression OF Republican sentiment In
that State and to compel the election OIL o
DELEGATION % the National Convention which
should personally represent him instead OF
the Republican voters. His despetic DIS
franchisement OF the whole body OF Rich
mOnd delegates was only one OF the ouirageS
which he perpetrsted upon the party, and
which compelled the seli.rsspeciing members
OF the convention to withdraw and act for
the party by decent and liberal methods. 1t
was no longer possible 10 submit to the ways
OF the freebooter, who tolerates no opinion
but his own aud allows no participation in
the party councils by any who do not bow In
sutS1ssion to him.
This Is action which Republicans cannot
submit to and which no Republican, VIII ether
OF his party at heart can encourage. twill
bc some satisfaction II Malone has at last
oyerreached himself and in dividing the
party at a time when harmonious action was
particularly desirable has done that which
must lead TO the destruction OF his personal
power and free the party st the State from
his blighting influence. Until that Is done
tho growth OF the party in Virginia must
be retarded and hope OF Republican success
there deferred. With the party ergani.
zstion In the hands OF the party itself
and party sction uurestrainsd and free
with no master 10 stife the voice OF the
voters and trade their delegations In per-
sonal interest. there could DO little doubt
tbat Virginia would very eariS take her
place In the column Of Republican states, to
which her best interests already incline Der.
But little can be hoped for while Malone Is
m position to make even a portisn OF the
party bend to his will. The Republicans OF
Virginia gave him support at time when
they were far from prepared to cordially
accept all that he represented. They sought
the destruction OF the Bourbon and narrow
methods which had been fastened upen the
State by the Democracy. They wanted 10
give their State the benefit OF the progress
siye and advancing sentiment OF the time,
against Democratic Bourbonism encouraged
that hope. II they have been disappointed
ia Malone they have shown no disposition
10 surrender their purpose.
Much will now depend upon the National
Convention. II will have TO determine be-
tween, two delegations from Virginia, and
its decision viii not merely concern the ac-
ton oil the convention. OF course. General
Malone cannot hope TO get recognition for
tue unitrule which has forever been decided
against IN Republican National Conventions,
but be will hope to get support which viii
give encouragement to those despotic
methods which have led TO the division ofthe
party in Virginia. The National Convention
may help Virginia int the list OF Republican
States or IL may doom the party there 10
continued subordlnatiou to ruineus iudi-
viaual control. 1t is question broad
enough 70 require broad treatment, and the
action OF the convention, now that the issue
has been made, VIII have an important In
fiuence not onIy upon Virginia, but upon
the Republican party throughout the South.