Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-23
THR NEGRO VOTE.

The extension of tho right of suffrage to
negroes, under the provisions of The Sherman
Reconstruction bill. is attracting some atten-
ton at Richmond, and other prominent
points in the South. The negroes-or the
better part of them-seem to desire instruc>
ton, and with that view. are calling upon the
leading citizens to address them. One even
ing last week, large meeting of this class,
was held at the Richmond Theatre, which
was addressed by Messrs. r. T. Daniel, Mar
maduke johnson, and VIM Ii. Mcfarland
The addresses of these gentlemen were in the
main we'll received, aud there is some ground
for hope that many Of the negroes will take
sides with their old masters, in graphing with
radiealism. Two parties are likely to grow
up-the one composed of the most iutelli.
gent negroes of the cnuntry-such as are not
so easily Influenced by the tanatical dema-
gogues OF the Hunncutt school; the other
party embracing the lower strata of the black
populatiOn-the negroes who do nothing all
the week and go fishing with red-headed
grub worms on Sundays. The first will gath
er in the BARRIERS. head walters, groomsmen,
porters and mechanics, of the colored race =;
the latter will have within its organization the
lazy vagabonds who have hung on to the
Freedmeu's Bureau since its unfortunate or
ganization, aud who will be led captive at the
will of the officers of that institution
The aristocra.ic negroes will vote with and
sustain the conservative party, and eudeavor
to MAINTAIN their responsibility; the destitute
of self-reSpcct and no idea negroes will sup
port radicalism in all its forms, simply because
they are not instructed and not instructible.
They know they -are free which means with
them that they have no obligations, and the
demagosues Of the radical party will vote
them in the interests of that party
convention composed of the latter class.
and of mean white men, such US Hunuicutt
gorge Rye and Hau8 hurst, was held III
Richmond last week. 1t Was u mean gather
ng, composed of mean men. In winding
their proceedings, an address to the PEG.
of the State was reported, and a series Of
solutions
The address first recites their wrongs by
the . rebels" but says those who fought uu.
willingly ought to be forgiven. 1t then dc.
lares allegiance to the radical party, and the
lowing platform: Honor and rewards to
por, homes for the homeless. who are willing
work; property and not the polls to bear
ae burdens of taxation the property of the
8 Ste must educate the children of he State;
schools and universal education. 1t
hreatens the land monopoiists Of the State
with confsca'ion if they Cypress the laborer,
or attempt to control his vote, o. modest the
school teachers and friends Of the freedmen.
The resolutions thank the 39th Congress
for its legislation, and pledge the Convention
to aid in carrying it out as the only means of
carly admission into the Union adopt the
principles and platform of the National Re-
publican party; advocate equal rights to all,
including the right to hold office, and refuse
to support for Office any man who does not
openly identify himself with the radical party.
Both the address and resolutions were
adopted unanimously.
A resolution favorng confscation was. after
a sharp debate, referred
Resolutions endorsing President johnson
were booted down.