The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-10-17

ut once attracted national attention
Not only had he been striking figure
IN military uniform, but he was pecu-
liar and unique in civilians garb
Moreover, the party conflict raging in
that body Immediately conferred about
him. Always a Democrat, bravest and
boIdest of the Confederates, an aristo.
crat from Virginia, he had neverthe-
less been chosen to the Senate by Re-
publican and negro votes Though the
Senate at that moment chanced to be
Il tic, and accident gave him the pow
err to organize it as u Democratic or
Republican body, few of tho Southern
men thon uppermost in the councils of
their party dreamed that Malone
would cast his lot with the Republi-
cans. He did SO, however, amid tire.
mendous excitement, and in tho face
OF all sorts Of threats, and through
him the Republican party retained
control OF Tho upper branch of Con-
gress ut u most critical moment.
Before passing to the almost tragic
sequel, u word concerning the drulnut-
ic incident, President Andrews de-
scribes it we'll Naturally there was
intense bitterness among tho Southern
Senators when Malone deserted them.
They felt that they had been betrayed
| Il.
Fiery Ben Hill came to the attack
with bitter irony. "Who is that
man." he cried, samid laughter from
the Republican side OF the cham Dor.
"Wh0 is that man so ambitious to do
| what no man in the history of this
country has ever d0ne-stand up in
| this high presence and proclaim from
| this proud eminenoe that he disgraccs
the commission he holds ? Such a
man is not worthy TO be q Democrat
is he worthy to be IL Republican ?n
But little Malone, with his flowing
beard and spindle legs, was not intimi
dated. Taking tho lloor, amid breath
less silence, he declared that he was
still! Democrat in principle, but was
notindebted to the Democratic party for
his place in the Senate. " want the
Senator from Georgia to know, hence
forth and forever,n he declared, We
hemently, THAT here is q man who
dares stand and defend his right
| against you and your cause"
Gen. Malone walks the streets OF
Washington bankrupt, hopeless,
though not wholly friendlcss. He is
| virtually pensioner on the generosity
| Of one OF his Old associates, John
Chamberlain, the innkpeper. Too
| honorable to run away from any just
| claim upon him, too high spirited to
attempt to save anything out the
wreck OF his own property, Malone
has nothing in the world but his pride
and the home in Petersburg which
| belonged TO his wife before their mar
riage. Contrast this with his cOndi-
tion when he entered tho Senate and
broke IL tic in favor Of the Republicans
| Then he was, perhaps, the richest man
in Virginia. He had the estecm and
the society OF all the first families
| His name associated with a new enter
prise was guarantee not only OF gOoG
faith, but Of success. The leading
men of the State were proud to CLAIM
his friendship and partake OF his prod
igal hospitality. His fine old place
was almost baronial. DOzcns and
scores were often at his table, eating
the produce Of his farm and garden
famous for the quality Of their meats,
game ard vegetables. Tho members
of his family were in the highest
circles of q society always aristOcratic
and exclusive. The daughter of the
hero Of Petersburg was welcome
evcryw here.
When Gen. Malone cast his lot with
the Republican party in the Senate q
change like that Of Il devasting food
or Il recurrence of the glacial epoch
swept over his home, his family, his
| social position, his business. From
that moment he was as cOnpl ,tely os-
tracized in Virginia as he would hay
been had he committed u crime. His
former associates spoke to him in tho
street. but did not shake his hand or
go to his Oilico save when ncCcs Sty
left no alternative. No one who cared
anything for the opinion of society
crossed his threshold, over which so
many had just before been proud to stop.
From the midst Of social activity most
incessant and delightful Gen. Mahone's
family suddenly found themselves
strangers in the midst Of those who
were once their friends. The grass
grew in the path leading to their door
The army of servants found no com
pany to wait upon Tho many guest
chambers were untenanted. Mrs.
Muhonc's friends of lifetime cut her
in public. Miss Muhone's companions
appeared to forget her existence. The
Senator's business affairs fell under
the same blight. Everything in which
| he was Interested was stunned by the
men who had formerly been his assO-
ciates and partners. For a time resi-.
dcnce in Washington and service in
the Senate made these blows fall less
heavily 1t was thought that time
might soften them and remove all ran
cor, that the ostracism would break
down through sheer Injustice. In
stead, it has survived ali the passion
Of the times. has outlived AL the
questions then under discussions, and
has continued till tho present day.
This social and business boycott
brought Gen. Malone to bankruptcy
Last winter he ossaycd to sell to the
Government a piece OF land in Wash
ington. Had he succeeded, his failing
fortunes might have been retrieved
But tho opposition met with at the
hands Of Southern Senators and Rep.
rcscntatlvcs was 50 relentless that
nothing could be done. Gen. Malone,
tos ave tho rights OF his creditors, made
an assignment. He is today q bank
rupt, a fading but still IL proud and
pugnacious old man.
| g