Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-26

NAV choose 10 class as q factionist and
"a his personal enemy every Republican
who does not agree with his views neither
makes the statement that they are SUCH
true or even plausible. Ii only Injuries him
by its tendency 20 prove the long asserted
charge of his enemies that no man can
differ with him and remain his friend.
His sneering illusions, in which he classes
me as disorganizer and malcontent be-
cause invite my party 10 consider the
propriety of changes which he does not
approve, show q degree OF pettlness
which distresses rather than annoys me.
His assertion that 1 have volunteered
with unhesitating assertion OF potency
and infallibility "to play the part OF
Mascot finds no warrant save in his jeal-
ousy that any one but himself shall have
q voice in party affairs
In somewhat labored sentence not
altogether Ineligible General Malone
cyhically repudistes my assurances OF
friendship, and after quite an arraign-
ment insists, notwithstanding my dis
claimer that am actuated by some per-
sonal feeling and have arrayed myself
con the other side" To this he adds
rasping jesr that my sublime conceit
leads me to imagine that my Judgment
and nlyscB will be accepted as solution
of all difficulties, both as to men and
measures. II was exceedingly unkind
in General Malone to say that. OF
course it is charge difficult to disprove,
as il relates to my conceit but must
deny the Generals charge that | hope to
be accepted as solution by anybody. l
am not a solution. Not even "fowler's
solution" although fond Of field sports
and with ideas he deems poisonous L
hope to accept a solution occasionally.
but not to be accepted as such. l am
Soiid, especially in Richmond, as the
General has by this time learned to his
cost snd sorrow. His joke was better
than his grammar, but either was inf
nitely better than the
COLD, MALICIOUS PURPOSE
betrayed throughout the paragraph to
push away from him every man who will
not yield unquestioning adhesion to his
views.
ANY man has it in his power to re-
fuse a profered friendship; but no man
can recall the sting Of his own contume-
" or secure second prefer of that
which he has once repealed and rejected.
His description of myself as ode
claring war" breaking with all my
former associates and associations, "
" fighting against the plan of party or
ganization, &C., is purely imaginative.
He knows that ! am doing nothing OF
the sort. So far was | from declaring
war that l invited peaceful and kindly
discussion of these questions in conven-
ton. where l really supposed ] mad a
voice and might be heard even above the
mellihuous strains of General MShonss
famous band. As to breaking with
my former associates" by inviting this
discussion, all my former associates seem
perfectly willing to have the question
considered and disposed Of in the most
fraternal way. This is the feeling Of
everybody except a few-a very few
who are so arrogant and opiniated that
they fly into passion whenever their IN
falhbility is questioned.
Like cow with her eud General Ma
hone rolls about in his mouth and chews
upon, from time to time, the garbled e1-
tract of sentence in my letter by which
he seeks to represent me as threatening
desertion if my views do not prevail.
Mr.. Elan, who appears to have written
his letter for him, treated him badly
about this and several other points, for
he (Elaml published letters of his own
containing these same points before
General Mahone's statement appeared,
so that the Generals points came out
very blunt, as | had already answered
them. 1t is nonsense for General Ma
hone to pretend he thinks | intend to
desert if my views do not prevail. 1t
was a mere trick to quote part OF my
sentence as countenance of that idea. L
have too much respect for his intelligence
to believe he thought as ne pretends and
defy him to drive me from my party as
he has done so many others.
Evidently he thought ne scored a great
point when he said had been "prin-
cipal beneficiary" of the present system
of party government and assail it after
eight years Of cumulative honors
and emoluments.
For General Malone to describe any
one else than himself as principal ben
eficisry is decidedly rich-and equally
absurd is the talk about eight years of
cumulative honors," &C., under a plan
which was not adopted until 1884.
If this allusion was intended as re-
proach l reply that while was no doubt
rewarded far beyond my deserts, l
worked very Loyalty for such honors as
l received, and it was noticeable always
concerning myself and others that our
share Of all spoiia ODtiDla came after,
not before, General Mahone's claims had
been fully satisfied. If l had ever for a
moment imagined that such honors or
emouments as came to me were offered
as the price Of my silence sgainst mis-
takes or abuses, | would have spurned
them in disgust.
Ii his reference to rs was intended as
an argument il stabs him. If our plan had
bafled or sacrificed me my opposition
would be subject to the imputation of
pique. But being on his own confession
q beneficiary, having received all It's adj
vantages, my opinion that 1t is defective
may fairly be inferred disinterested and
freed from the preiudices l would feel if
came with a grievance.
General Malone inquiries how this
plan became the law of the party, and
states that it is substantially the plan
adopted in 1879. Presuming he is serious
in his query, will answer him:
This plan was written by himself at
the time of or Just before the convention
of 1884, when we sent delegates to Chi
cago. He himself had it printed at the
WING office. 1t was not seen by the
delegates generally until offered for
adoption. 1t was not reported from the
committee until the convention had
finished IFS other work, and l well re-
member that General Malone, when we
were about adjourning, reminded me to
have the plan OF organization adopted.
! confess had paid little attention to it.
aud that joined in to have it adopted
in a most perfunctory way. It was
passed upon, without examination or
in the dying hours OF that
and | verify believe it was
Ihe creature of General Nahons's own
BRAN, unaided by the counsel of any
other human being.
Prior to that convention we haG