Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-08-30
ONLY TWO OUT OF SEVEN.

ONLY TWO OUT OF SEVEN.
We do not underrate the nominee of the
Republican party, we never have. Neither
do we overrate him. Gen. Mahone's histo-
~ as campaigner in opposition to the De-
mocracy of Virginia is a brief and disas-
trous one. 1t will hardly be believed by
those who have not paid attention to the re-
cord; but it is fact that out of seven cam
paigns conducted by himself personally in
Virginia he has only won two. His
exaggerated reputation comes from the fact
that he was the first man who had ever
overthrown the Democracy in Virginia
when it was making an earnest fight. That
was in 1881, when it will be remembered the
Democracy was divided. His dividing of
his enemy's forces and his use of that diyis-
ion, was one Of the most skillful political
strategies that up to that time had been
performed. To effect it, he brought to bear
on it an intense and tireless personal atten-
ton which was new in Virginia campaigns.
All of us remember the old-time Demo-
cratic State Committees in Virginia, COM
pOoCu lOl UilC luOou paw VI UIC Olu IOu4 OOl
element of the party who had generally been
selected because they were friends of the
Chairman, or were ''prominent' in their
localities, Oh had worked their way by pres
sure into the committee without single
qualification for the place. The Chairman
was generally an easy-going, respectable old
politician who attended to the campaign
in a mild way when he had time, and not at
all when his law business, OF his farm, OF
his social requirements made calls on him.
1t was such leadership that Malone found
himself in front of in 1881. 1t was farce
and he extinguished it in singing defeat.
His exploit was magnified by his admirers
to a point almost beyond recognition. Peo-
pie forgot that it had only consisted of a
man with a National administration at his
back, solid Republican party under his
command, and unlimited Assessment s.
campaign funds in his army chest, defeat
ing divided army under effete and moss
grown leaders.
When he came into the field again in
1882 with John S. Wise (who is no longer
with him) for large, as his
candidate, he found the Democracy in the
same condition both as to organization and
divided forces, and he won his second and
last victory. When he came the third
time, in 1888. he came to his political over.
throw. The bulk of the Readjuster Demo
Gratis, having accomplished what they want
ed, were back in the ranks of the party, the
incompetent leaders of the previous fights
had been dismissed, and commander was al
the head whose methods were not whit
inferior to MahOne's. John S. Barbour
like Malone, gave his time and untirine
attention night and day to the campaign
made it a business. He secured cam.
paign funds equal to the official assessments
OF the other side. He organized the or
gamizers OF the Democratic party, got live
men in the places around him and made
ready at every point for the conflict OF
1883. When it came, Malone was disas-
trously defeated. Since that time Malone
has always been defeated in every election
for the election of the Governor in 1885. Il 6
Legislature of 1887, and in both COMPRESSION.
al elections that he has managed-that fol
members of congress in 1854 and that f. !
members of congress in 1888. The only
election the Republicans have received /;
majority OF the votes in the State was il
1886, when Malone was not in command
and when John S. Barbour the Democratic
State Chairman was absent from the State
on an European tour.
These are the facts from the record OF
Gen. Mahene's successes and failures. Sue
cessful over divided Democracy in 1881
and in 1882; defeated by united Demo
cracy in 1888, 1885 and 1887 in State cleo
tions, and in 1884 and 1883 in Federal cleo
lions. Ttco Uictories and fve defeats
A very poor record to make man a devour
ing bugabOO out of And the feet is that
good deal of MahOne's reputation is in tn
character of political bugaboo. He is in
debted for 1t, to the Bourbon ofice-holder
he beheaded when he got into power il
1881. They were SO dumbfounded that thei
hereditary rights of office holding were DIES
poiled; that men who had held office in con
nection with their ancestors since Virgini;
was colony, should he kicked out, tina
they raised as much rumpus over it as if tn,
Beast with Seven Horns, of Revelations, hat
suddenly dropped into Virginia and com
menced horning and tossing the population
This modern Alaric having captured theil
annual salaries, they held him up to view
as the Scourge of God irresistible in his de-
struction. They SO magnified Malone, that
IN 1888, when the quiet old Roman with
the white mOustache sent the barbarians
flying from the land, they could hardly re-
alize that it had been done.
The truth about Gen. Malone as a politi-
cal leader is just this. He is a skillful hand
lei OF his forces and an indefatigable work
Ell, spending both night and day at his desk
work, as John S. Barbour does, and as every
man who undertakes SO great trust as a
State Craftsmanship ought to do. No man
in front of Malone can sit down and 90 to
sleep. But-and he has shown 1.-THE is not
a wise head of a party. He makes enemies.
creates divisions, and greatly weakens the
party he is in charge of. He has not the
faculty of managing the white portion of
his party, and his inordinate personal am
bition drives them from him. His situa.
ton in his own party to-day is something
like it was in 1877, in the Democratic party,
He must have his way OIL he will pull down
the pillars of the temple. With all his indus
try and energy as leader he is discordant
element in any party he is in, and will bring
it to disaster. In his present campaign he
will have his old, wise, watchful, deadly
cool adversary, John S. Barbour standing
behind the youthful Chairman of the Dem