Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-01-15
Effect of Radical Policy.

The great source of embarrassment to the
people of the South is the denial of our political
rights by the Radical Congress, and money from
not flow in till our political rights shall be restor-
ed. Increasing the rate Of interest will not have
that effect unless our political status be changed
for the better. The denial of political rights to
the South embarrasses those who have proper
ty, and grievously Expresses those who have no
property The poor who have only their labor
to depend upon are the chief sufferers The
Radicals profess great friendship for the colored
population of the South, but their policy OPP
presses them grievously. With the Richmond
Times, 1--WE can conceive of no class of men who
would be more benefited by the restoration OF
the South to her political rights and privileges
than the negroes The pail Of gloom and sui
fering which hangs over the South is the result
of political influences and apprehensions, affect
ing our persons and property. But the condi-
tons which affect, and the circumstances OF dis
tress and uncertainty which surround u.s. grow.
ing out of Congressional action already taken or
anticipated, visit upon the negro more terribly
than upon the whites at whom the blows are
aimed Let us explain what we mean, and let
the critical see if the facts of political economy
and common sense do not sustain us.
We suppose it will be admitted that the con-
dition of the laborers in all counties and COM
munities depends upon the prosperity of their
employers. IF the capitalists suffer, the labor
employed by their capital suffers in still great
er degree, because labor has no resources to fall
back upon. The negroes of the South cannot
prosper until the whites prosper, and the whites
cannot prosper as long as they are threatened
with ruin and political disfranchisement. When
success shall once more attend our efforts to re-
trieve our ruined fortunes; when wealth and
plenty shall once more smile upon our land, the
negroes will be the first to bask in the sunshine
of our prosperity. AS long as we are poor; as
long as Congress by its action drives capital from
our borders and forbids its entrance as long as
we are ostracised from all participation in the
Government; as long as our status is unsettled
there will be depression in fortune morals and
education in the South, and this condition will
tell more terribly upon the blacks than the
whites because the former have not yet reach
ed that position that will enable them to battle
with adversely and successfully struggle with
competitors in the sharp contest for food, raj
ment and shelter.
If our political troubles and disturbances were
composed in the dawn Of that prosperity which
would begin to arise among the capitalists, the
land-holders of the South, the negro would find
increase in wages, and consequently, an amel
ioration in every physical, social, moral and re-
ligious point Of view. Poverty prevents educa
ton, causes crime, and produces actual physical
suffering We assert it as an axiom, which adj
mits of no argument, that the negro can only
thrive through the thrift and happiness of the
Southern whites; and the Radicals have fatally
lost sight of the fact that every measure fhate
and vengeance which they level at us hits Cufee
twice as hard as it does the REBELS" Nor will
they help his condition by making him voter,
for the power to vote does not carry with it the
faculty or means of making livelihood; and il
an interest in politics shall cause Cufee to at
tend public meetings, go to barbecues and fish
fries, and discuss national questions at all coun-
try stores and cross-road groggeries, then the
boon of suffrage will not prove profitable in a
bread and-meat point of view.
If the Radicals really want to help the ne
groes they cannot do SO more effectually than
by retaining to blast the future of the Southern
whites. Suppose pestilence or an earthquake
were to take off every white in Dixie, has any
one ever reflected how the negroes would get
along after we were all gone? Ifhe has not, let
him consider their condition in Africa, Jamaica,
Hayti and in all places where he works out his
own salvation -
L. i IL IiL1