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

When nearing Richmond on the train I
drew this circular from my pocket, and
recalling what 1t was and General Ma
homes request, began 10 read II.
finished it upon the bridge crossing the
river. What thought Of IL | need not
state, save 10 say that it strikes me as alb
surd to hear the author Of that letter
chide me or anybody else for unwisdom,
imprudence. inconsidersteness, and the
like. My first impulse was TO 20 straight
back to Petersburg; but remembered
it was too late, for | had seen the
circulars mailed. | knew that General
Malone was to start North that evening
and that il was futile TO return, as could
not recall the paper even II be consented.
Troubled and perple&ed at such blum
der, saw no good that could be accom-
plished then by volunteering unwelcome
criticism TO General Malone, and re-
solved 10 hide that paper away from
mortal eve. and hope against hope that
others would observe the same "honOr-
able confidence a. myself. General
Malone was in the North. for at least
fortnight after We parted. and | have
meyer seen him since. did not care TO
tell him what / thought OF his letter,
much less 10 write it, and l hoped he
would not ask ne. 1t could do no
good then.
After reading that letter, General Ma
none being gone, did consult Judge
Nsddill about IT, He agreed with mo
that II was calculated 10 do General Ma
hone great harm, and proposed that We
20 AT once 10 see him. l explained that
he had mailed the letter before read It
and was absent from home. These be.
ing the facts Just as they occurred, IN
what Just or truthful sense can l be sad
TO have received the Grst copy OF this
letter? Is It not mere play on words
and the height Of folly 10 say ] had the
drst cODy when the mailbag was lat
with these circulars when one vas
handed to me? Suppose It was tie hrst
copy. what good would II have done 1t
that stage OF the matter II had read
it carefully and informed him what !
thought Of it,? II be wanted AL
vice it WAS too late 10 advise. III he
wanted approval my withholding
il did not influence his action IN
the slightest. f. / had censured
il ever 50 severely il could
have availed nothing and, really, while
General Malone says be asked Tor my
opinion and advice, and while, II he nat
insisted, | would have given them, do
not see of what avail either could have
been At the time ne sought them, ~
thereafter. IL / had been consulted IN
time II my opinion and advice had been
sought aud hai operated 10 suppress
that letter. . would have done General
Malone greater service than he knows,
and would have saved myself many t.
gret that I lid not read the paper the
moment that ne placed 1t IN my hand.
Nothing that has ever occurred TO me
has caused ne
MORE GENUINE AND DEEP DISTRESS
than the interruption OF the close IN
macy between General Malone and mf
self which my letter seems 70 have occ.-
stoned. For many years have not ou.Y
been hisardent political supporter buths
personal companion and friend. The dis
crepancy in our wears has made our r..
lations almost Ike that Of father All
son. and during tae period Of this init
macy Genera Malone has developed
many noble and aflectiouate snd unseil.
ish traits. which. whatever no may say
or do, will never be forgotten. Some o..
our mutual friends have insisted that the
style of bis recent statement was be-
gotten 10y feeling. the result o. onr
long intimacy, tAat ny opposing HIM IL
q sort of presumption as of son setting
up his opinion against father and tia,
l ought to overlook the many satrcal and
biting things contained in bis reply GA
that account have studied that
paper long and carefully 20 t.I
the evidences OF Kindness all
affection inseparab.e from tue genuine
paternal feeling. ! Do not find thea.
On the contrary. not only IN tie letter
itself bat in the hot and dirty fight de-
hOerately waged here by General Ma
homes command 20 defeat me, II posi-
be, for our convention IN the outrage
Gus assaults upon me IN the newspa
pers by his parusans, accusing me of ID
sorts OF ingrautude. uukininess, All
desertion-In the studied purpose MADE
manifest everywhere to break down i
possible any iuAuence ( may have n tie
party-it Is manifest % me that m tie
future / em 60 occupy no sIca relations
towards General Malone ~ in the past.
| am at the meridian Of life, aud past the
stage when my opinions are 70 he
spanked into or out Of me as when / v s
"a child. If cannot hold to theG AMI
70 nv friendships at the sane tlm-,
then, much as regret n, The friendships
must 60 II. indeed, those can be called
friendships that are broken for mere dl!-
ference Of opinion.
In CONCLUSION | would say TO the Re-
publican party of Virginia what Otanes.
the wise Persian. said N his ep'stle =
the seven brave men who Oyerthres the
MaSus and placed Darius on the throne
Where oue man is allowed 10 do
Whatever he p,eases without control,
even If the best Of men were placed pa
SUCH power, bee would depart f-om BIS
wonted thoughts. For iusoleace IS en-.
geudered IN him 10y the advantages that
surround HIM. and envy is implanted 10
man from his birth "
Notwithstanding what General Malone
has said and done | fully recognize his
abilities and power 70 serve our party,
and will support him cordially and cheer
fully 10 ell ho does within reasonable
bounds, but I object to his treating this
party as his personal chattel and every
man in it as bis minion. IL is time 10
let him know that ne Is one of many ami
not the whole party. Respectfully,
joins ;. WISE.