The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-09-14

etc.. etc.
PETERSBURG, September Is, 1866.
The frequent disturbances which have
recently taken place among us, between
the whites and blacks, are ominous OF e'u'
l have once OF twice had occasion TO speak
of the good feeling which charac'e''hea
their relations towards each other, Oh,
several interrpptions have occurred; ana
il is to be feared that the negroes are en-
courap;np a spirit which may lead 10 trou-
Die. They band together TO attack vine
man engsScd in his lawful business; they
modest parties after night on 'ne Puonc
streets. they go armed, and discharge
,bc;r pjeces, against all law, within the
limits of the corporation; and even offer
violent resistance TO the police when an
attempt is made 10 arrest them for lnfrac-
lions of the peace. A marked change has
certainly taken place in their department !;
but whether it extends to the mass or is
confined to the idle and vicious-a large
class of themsclvcs-it is difficult to say.
What has produced this hostile and law
less feeling is perhaps only "a matter of spc-
culation. When il is considered, however,
that they are far from being ignorant OF
the progress of events, but are, on the con-
trary, more obScrvant than ever, plausi-
bic solution may he offered. The late
"loyal" Convention in Philadelphia, which
was gotten up for the purpose OF eniran-
chising the negro and disposscssing the
white man of his rights and privileges, is
calculated more than anything which has
happened since the war to produce dis
trust, disaticction, and alienation between
al. A snnl hos hnan
which is destined To produce fruit OF eX-
IRENE bitterness, unless its growth should
he nipped by wise policy. 1t Is even
doubtful whether anything now can retard
its development. 1t is an easy matter 10
excite banciul influences IN the mihds OF
an ignorant and impulSve population, but
extremely difficult 10 al!ay them. "ceds
grow luxuriantly, while cultivated plants
rcuuire constant nurture.
We may rest assured that the violent
haranCucs Of such disOrganizcrs Us Stevens,
Browniow, Hamilton, and others, Will nave
a deep cilcc, on these people; nor VIII II
be long before being abundantly manifest.
STRENGTHENED 10y great party movement,
n few designing men like llunnlcutt and
Wardwcu in Richmond will be able to
,,oisou whole community. Whether
there are any such characters here, am
unable to say but the immense gatherings
every week at the African churches, and
the fact that political parsons are in the as
ccuGau;, are of uniavorablc augury.
Asaninevitable consequence oftheSe con-
'inurl agitation>, we may expect to see the
labor of the South, So far as the negro ele-
meat is concerned, become more and more
unsettled, until it will be almost worthless.
For a few years, old habits Of subordina-
tirn may prevail more or less i'll the rural
districts, but they will gradually yield to a
,pirit of ideueSS and sclt-Sutliciency, ending
beyond doubt in direct antagoniSm. The
future of the African race in this country
cannot DC contemplated without shudder.
A. the weaker party, they can never sns-
tain themselves in their new condition.
In the contingency which has happened, 1t
was predicted thirty years ago by De Toe
queville--the most philosophic OF observ
rrs-that the race would become extinct.
With the exception Of several instances
Of the kind alluded To in the commence
mcnt OF this letter, nothing has occurred
worthy Of special notice for several days.
SEOwDTN.