The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-11-05
Bad State of Affairs.

The from the Georgia election shows thai
the white voters mainly refused to participate in
the election the Convention question and for dele
gates This is to be regretted, although the orders
Fl Cen Pope appcrtioning delegates was unfair and
calculated to exasperate the white people. President
Johnson might have annulled Pope's order, but he
was afraid to interfere when appealed to. The ne
grees cr their representatives, will frame Consti-
tuition for Georgia, and then we suppose the white
voters of the State will unite in voting against it. In
this way, settlement will probably be postponed,
and bad feeling continued and engendered among the
races.
The elections in Virginia have taken place and it
appears that negroes and the white who CO.
operate with them have carried the State the dis
pleasure of the largest portion of the white people.
The Virginia papers filled with accounts of the
bad conduct of the colored people election day,
and is stated that thousands of colored have
been discharged from employment because they
voted for extreme radical candidates.
We don't know how much good cause there is for
this apparent conflict of races in Virginia and Geor-
gia-as we have only seen statements side
but do know that it is unfortunate and will result
in evil. The fact is notorious that the black man is
dependent the white of the South for support
and if the white man withdraws his aid and encour
the black is disposed to do right if he was not
tempered with by politicians and ofict eekers but
if he suffers himself to be arrayed against the in
tcrests of the whites his doom is certain.
The Charleston News, a fair and moderate paper
in every respect thus speaks Of affairs in Virginia
and South Carolina:
Two respectable merchants of Richmond, Va
have been notified by a negro vigilance committee to
no with rtN -nJnht hon
of their opposition to the Radical ticket for the State
Convention In itself this menace will be of no effect
Ii will not cause the persons who have been threat
cned leave their ho;acs, and fee the North
safety aud it will not, in any way, add to the
rty safety of the cOlored people of Virginia.
There is doubt that Gen Schofeld will promptly
put down any movement that threatens the peace of
the District which he commands and the result will
be that the colorcd people will be threatened with
greater sricness and viii ALLEVIATE many of the good
friends who have been anxious advance their in
tcrests.
South Carolina has, happily been free from much
of the violence and disorder which has caused so
much trouble III the "Old Dominion With one or
two exceptions, there has been riotng turbu-
ence III this city; and, throughout the State, the
conduct Of the colorei people has been, upon the
whole moderate and satisfactory. Where reckless
agltators have most prevailed, there has been some
idleness and disorder; but considering all things
the colored people Of the Carolnas have been quiet
and prudent. The explanation of this comparatively
happy condition of affairs may be found in two cir
cunstamces:-the confleace reposed by the colored
people in the good faith and friendship of their for
masters, and the absence of that horde of radical
speakers which swoOped upon the States nearest the
Northern line, hut which has done Carolina the favor
to leave her nearly entirely alone AS long these
conditions unchanged. and there is reason
why they should change, this State may be expected
to preserve her wontcu calm.
Indeed the more ar-Sig GIFTED and obscrvant of the
coorcd people rapidly learning that their sccu-
rity, and their very existence, depend on the pre-
servation of friendly relations with the whites among
whom they live They arc beginning to understand,
that neither the United States Government, nor the
Northern people, would support them in any action
looking to negro dominion, intended to convert
the field of the sunny South into African Utopia.
They may pect that their freedom will be upheld
and maintained; but they must be careful how they
join i'll any course that will array the prejudces,
the passions, and the necessities of the white
against them. and which could have but result,
their depression and ultimate humiliation.
This, i'll Carolina. need not be feared The culored
people will read the lesson that is held out them
by their misguided brethren in Virginia; and they
may rest assured that while they orderly, in
dusrious and faithful attempt will be made to
Cypress them, and that they will not be held respon-
sible for those things in which they had no part and
over which they had no control.