The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-09-26
A Leader without a Victory

a Leader without a Victory.
Mr.. Frank d. Mussey, staff correspon-
dent of the Cincinnati Commercial Ga
zette, is in Virginia. Of course he is
writing up Virginia politics, and like
most Northern correspondents, gets his
facts and inspirations from the circles
of Mahoneism, and like others on like
mission gets them very one-sided. 1t
is distinguishing feature of Malone
ism to try to misinform and mislead
the Northern mind. 1t is to the North
that Malone looks for financial support
1t is therefore the policy of his friends
in Virginia to represent everything to
be lovely and all that is necessary to
sweep the Democracy out of existence
and enthrone Mahoneism, is to secure
pecuniary aid. Malone is represented as
a great leader. In fact it is claimed that
he is the only man in Virginia, claiming
to be Republican, who is capable of
leading. Mr.. Mussey says as much, and
institutes the inquiry whether or not
another one could be found, should Ma
hone retire or be retired by the indig-
nant command of the people, who has
the qualities to lead.
There was never a greater misconcep
ton of the character and achievements
of man than that which prevails
with some Virginians, and almost
universally outside of the State, about
Malone as a leader. Mr.. w. r. AL
exander, a Democratic speaker, in a
recent speech at Harrisonburg, dis
sected Mahone's political leadership and
placed it in it's true light. He stated
that he had never been a success
full leader either in the Democratic, the
Readjuster or the Republican party
He had managed to get control of the
machinery of each one of these organi-
cations. and wreck it. AS factor in
the Democratic party, he had manipu-
lated and mannuvred to get his hand
on the party machinery, and when he
coul not work it to his own selfish end
he disrupted it. He managed to get
hold of the machinery of the Readjus-
ter party and run it to defeat. He sue
ceeded to the control of the machinery
of the Republican party and has operated
it in his own interest to such a degree
as to revolt half of the membership,
and reduce it to powerless organization.
In each case he made self the supre me
object and end of party, and used the
machinery to ''crush "a favorite term
with him-all opposition and all manly
sentiment, unit. he has finally crushed
himself. He is leader who has never
achieved a politi cal victory. In 1879 and
1881 and '32, when the Readjusters and
Republicans car. led the State. there were
two committees-the Republican and Re-
adiuster- in harmony and for
the same end In 1888, he practically
assn ned full control in directing the
canvass ana was defeated. In 1884 the
two committees were merged with Ma
hone as Chairman From that time to
this defeat after defeat has followed his
management. Notwithstanding the Re
publicans have a majority of the quail
flied voters in the State. Now we are
confronted with him as chairman and
as candidate. 1t is the first time that
he has appealed directly to the people
for his own endorsement at the ballot
box. We venture nothing in saying that
the appeal will meet with the most over
whelming rebuke that was ever given to
a candidate and a chairman. The de-
cree will be confined to no party rela-
tions. 1t will come from Republicans
and Democrats and Prohibitionists, max
ing common cause against the would-be-
leader, who would exalt himself above
the State and make paramount his own
selfish ambition, reckless of everything
else 1t will come in such volume, that
no party can claim its direction. 1t will
be the spontaneous outburst of a people
who dare to break from party tradi-
tions and associations, to save Virginia
from the dominaney of an influence that
would have in it nothing but harm. 1t
will show to the North az well as the
South that Mahoneism can never more
rule in this State. and show it with such
emphasis as to give the pestiferous thing
an everlasting qnietus.
With this incubus removed, the Re-
publican party will re-organize with a
leader who will respect the people he
will lead We could name an hundred
capable and sagacious Republicans who
would inspire the confidence and crys-
talize the strength of the Republican
r%x Of i,,i. nd Ia vic
Malone was never a leader. He has
been and is simply boss-an insolent
and tyrannical task master, who re
spects neither the rights nor the opin-
ions of those who follow him. With a
leader, in the true sense of the term
One who feels with the people; has a
comm n sympathy with them, and
would make common cause with them,
for the general good the Republicans
could carry this State in any contest for
the measurement of the full strength of
parties. Malone and Mahoneism can
not do it. and ought not be allowed to
do it. 1t would be one of the sorest af-
f1ictions ever visited upon Common
wealth for Malone to be elected Gov
ernoF of Virginia. 1t would be a disas
ter beyond the reach of the imagination
to measure-a calamity that would carry
it's influences into the indefinite future.
While we do not question the motives
of such Northern correspondents as Mr.
Mussey in the statements they make and
the differences they draw relating to the
pending canvass in Virginia, we never
theless consider that they do a positive
wrong to the Republicans of Virginia
and to the Republicans Of the country.
in representing Gen. Malone as leader
of true Republicans either here or else
where He leads Mahoneism and moth
ing else, and that is the most offensive
and audacious Bossism that ever existed.
There is nothing Republican in it. 1t is
the outcome of methods and practices
that no free people should tolerate, and
under which no self-respecting constit-
ueney will rest. 1t will not be allowed
to succeed la Virginia, and in this deter
mination Republicans are as obstinate
and pronounced as Democrats. 1t is no
party issue, as parties are known, and
Republican principles are not involved