Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-07-26
Ir7rrR FROM HANOVER COUNTY.

CORRESPONDENCE of the Alexandria Gazette.1
IF you don't, dear Mr. Gazette, give me a
chance to discharge my pent up emotions, L
will most assuredy explode How can stand
it any longer.
The 'colored citizens have all formed league
to charge dollar day for cutting oats, and
such cutting was never seen before ln many
places one half are left standing, and two thirds
Of the other half are scattered all over creation.
The grass is eating up our gardens and corn
fields, and too many of these improvldent people
are seated under the shade at d country gro
Gerry, spending their ill-gotten harvest money 10
cakes and whiskey They lost one day last
week registering and one at q public speaking
And what did it profit them? asked one of
the most intelligent whet Col. Aver, jr., said,
and he replied: Well, Col.Ayer told us there
were seventeen Something-l just tell you,
don't know what he did say but he said some
thing about seventeen He further informed
me- that two persons were busy going round
telling all the colored people that they we're
going to vote for Mr. Wickham-that they
were their fricnds-if they voted against Mr.
Wickham they would be voting against their
friends.
I have alsl found out there is i 'quadruply
oath bound secret political Union League IN
the county, 10 which all the soft-shcll, plant
conscience, weak. headed officer seekers are en-
tering, under the promise of Office Certain
men are appointed to instruct the rank and file
how to vote, and all are bound by oath, up to
the fourth degree, to follow the prescribed
routine
| was asked to ioin with an assurance that
any office might wish in the county would be
at nv disposal Already majority Of 700 col:
ored voters are said to have been enrolled and
sworn into this ''political machine which
may be used hereafter, to oVerturn the mighty
fabric of Liberty. But how can | affiliate
with such?
Did not Mr.. Lincoln tell me- If | would sur
render my arms, and take the oath, that
should be restored 70 all my rights under the
Constitution in the Union !
So soon as my arms were safely locked up IN
the Washington Arsenal, did not Congress tell
us that Mr. Lincoln had no right to make such
a bargain, that they alone had this authority
Did not Congress tell us if we repealed the Or
dnance Of secession, repudiated the Conieder-
ate debt, ratified the constitutional amendment
abolishing slavery and elected representatives to
Congress. that we would be reconstructed!
And did we not do so as speedily as possible
But did Congress comply with their obga-
tions? Did they not say, before our represen-
tires were received, we must make the black
man equal 60 the white man before the law,
and did we not do that in double quick time
Indeed was anything eyer required which we
did not Immediately perform, until we are or
dcred to destroy all our hopes Tor the future by
voluntarily DISTINGUISHING ourselves, and placing
the destiny OF our State in the hands Of the
Radical lenders, aud their followers, comprising
almost the entire colored population united
together against the white people? And has
the Radical party in power ever complied with
one single promise which they have made Us
since the fall of Richmond
And yet with this party am asked to "atfl-
iate"--to this party am urged to sing peans
of praises-ior this party am called upon to
express opinions Of admiration and assurances
of respect aud regard They complain because
don t rcposc confidence in the words Of their
leaders. What word, in 4 political sense, have
they ever uttered with which they have com
piled? What agreement have they ever made
that they have fulfilled? What act Of magma
nimity or honor have these ultra leaders ever
performed calculated to secure either my love,
confidence or respect!
[ may be in error, but so help me God, if |
can see one thing but political pcrfdy and
party duplicity and tyranny in the managers Of
the Ultra and Aggressive Radical party, |
hope / may be anathema maranatha. And
then ask me to trust them, with the future in
terests of my children and my country, by vot-
ing for them to form Constitutions, and to
make law? That destiny they may and prob
able will WELD, but it will be despite the earnest
prayers and solemn protest of your correspon-
dent HANOVER.
HANOVER COUNTY, Va, July "a.