Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-28
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 2s, 1889.
Federal Interference IL State Politics

Are the northern people prepared to
emphasize the declaration Of the lroYi-
dcnce Or. L. journal that "the Ameri-
can people are not fond of Federal in
reference in State politics" IL 50,
then. truly is q brighter era dawning
upon Us. II so, then truly are We
coming back to constitutional moorings.
The sentence We have quoted from our
Providence contemporary is a singing
rcbnkc 10 the Administration. IL Is
sentence that should be craven on the
lintcls Of every patriots house in the
land. It is especially practical in its
suggcstiyenoss just st this time. The
campaign in Virginia brings it ont
IN bold relief and demands that
it should be pondered. There was never
n more outrageous case Of Federal inter
ference in State politics than that in
volyod IN the Observation-Disclosures
Fiye-DUDLTY Administration conspiracy.
This fact is made prominent as well by
the confessions Of the Republican pa
pors as 10y the charges Of the Democratic
papers. The determination Of the ma
lignGnts for whom the conspirators arc
acting is that the solid South must be
broken, and Virginia has been selected
as the State into which the en-
tering wodge is to be driven. The
whole history Of MAHoNE's associa'
tion with the South-haters shows
that he has entered into contract
TO open the way through which the
Ranging horde Of Kepublicanism may
again pour into the South. and that the
Administration has guaranteed him all
The assistance il Its power IN order to
enable him to keep his contract. This
action is no more fragrant in some re-
Fpccts than the course OF the Federal
Government towards the South during
the reconstruction period. Indeed it is
intended to he but the beginning Of the
cnd-but an Inauguration Of return 20
the reconstruction period. Should Nir-
ginia bc captured in November the Re
publican party would be encouraged to 90
70 any lengths in order to ietter the South
permanently. If Virginia fails in No
vcmber to enter with no uncertain sound
her protest against Federal Interference
in State politics it can hardly be ques-
toned that the Republicans in the next
Congress will essay the extreme limit OF
possible Federal legislation in order TO
the claiming of the South to the Car OF
Radicalism. The success in Virginia Of
the plot of the Administration would
breed in Republican circles an arrogance
and confidence that would defy all
Code to image or to name.
And would the South alone suffer as
the result Of this arrogance and conf
dence? No; not if it should become
necessary for the Administration to
make assurance doubly sure for the Re
publican party. The high hand Of Fede-
ral interference in state politics that had
been used in the South would gradually
extend over the North. The grip that
il is proposed shall ruthlessly and almost
instantly crush ont liberty at the South
would finally close around liberty at the
North. 1t follows, therefore, that
the campaign in Virginia marks
u great crisis in the history of
the republic. The old Commonwealth
stands in the breach not only i'll her own
defence and in defence Of her southern
listers. but in defence Of every other
State in the Union, against the attacks
Of those who would mbvert the cardinal
principles upon which our Government
il based. 1t is short step from "boo-
die and Office brokerage to bayonets.
II is but brief evolution from the pres
ent conspiracy against Virginia to
q conspiracy against all the States.
Federal Interference in Virginia
politics such as we are now con-
frontcd with Will. il successful, prove
The fruitful mother Of Republican dicta-
torship throughout tho land. The Jour-
nal has sounded warning. Let Nir-
ginia by her decision in November
speak for the whole country, anil put the
warning in this form "No Federal IN
reference in State politics % That is
her duty 10 herself, TO the South, and to
the nation Let her administer such
rebuke to the conspirators, and she will
receive as she will deserve the plaudits
aud have the following OF every patriot
North aud South. Virginia mover had
grandor opportunity to prove her claim
- leadership in the cause Of patriotism
and true republican government than
will be afforded her in this campaign.
The Safe Course.