The Decline Of Mahoneism

The republican leaders are not so hopeful of plaoing Virginia in the republican column next year as they were some time ago. There is a deadly feud existing betvreen Mahone and Riddleberger, and the latter has threatened to desert the oause of the great re-adjuster. The legislatura to be eleoted this fall fall will choose a United States senator, and if the republicana Becure a majority Mahone has everything fixed to send himself back to the senate. Riddleberger is decidodly opposed to returning his old rival to public life, and, judging from his recent utterances, would prefer to see a democrat elected ruther than Mahone. It is believed that he contemplates identifying himself completely with the demooracy, as its recent platform expressions on the debt question are quite in harmony with his own conservative views on that subject. Should he be so bold as to pureue this course the republican party in Virginia will be deprived of the servioes of ita most brilliant leader. Riddleberger has about as large a personal following as Mahone, is a far more magnetic speaker, and besides is an unoompromising fighter. His defeotion would insure a sweeping democratio triumph next fall.