The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-10-28
white and Black.

EgDTI the NsJr loTk t1aE'-
/ Mr. Jesse ID. Bright, formerly of In
diana, now of Kentucky. it is reported,
/ asserts that the late war was unconsti-
tutioual; that all that was done during
its period counts for nothing; and that
slavery has not been abolished, but
must be restored-snd Mr.. Bright, we
suppose, must be replaced in the SEN
ate, from which he was expelled for
reasonable correspondence with the
enemies of the nation.
we mention Mr.. Bright here because
he is an extreme representative of a
tolerHbly numerous class OF pur-
blind politicians in the Southern States,
who cannot see that the issues which
now agitate them and the country are
necessarily temporary; that they must
quickly pass away, ami thai they VIII
give place TO other questions OF real i'm
purtauce, on which political parties Will
form themselves, and over which they
viii struggle for years TO come.
Prudent and far-sighted politicians
would prepare in these preliminary
days for that future contest; they would
so act now as to couciliate votes, to Sc
cure influence and strength; they
would endeavor TO bind to their own
party as large number Of voters as
possible. But what do We rec in the
Southern States? The old politicians
there are forcing the blacks AWAY from
them they do all they can to turn the
cOlored vote sOlidly against them. AT
every election we read in the Southern
Democratic papers that the black vote
was so many thousand strong, and the
white so many thousand more or less.
When the same journals print ihe regis
tration returns they divide the votes
into black and white. In the election
Y Il l.,
many black and 50 many white votes
were cast yesterday. Georgians are
now in Washington TO complain of
General Pope, because, as they say in
their memorial, by his ordering she
election to be held by legislative dis
tricts rather than by counties IAN un-
due advantage is given TO the c0lored
race over the white race"
That is to say these unwise politicians
have no other thought than 10 ALLEVIATE
and offend the black voters they do
not perceive that they are doing now
what they cannot undo, and what they
will presently regret. They say bitter
ly. that the blacks are falling under the
influence OF demagoRues-but whose
fault is that? Is it not, to very great
extent, the fault OF the men who fool
ishly repel them? they are alarmed
at the threats OF contiscatiOn made by
some leaders among the blacks; but
they do not know that IL is their duty,
and their interest as well, to instruct
and influence the colOred men; TO
draw a part of them at least to them
selves.
These politicians never tire ofexclaim-
Jog abont the ignorance of the blacks;
but if they are 80 ignorant, is it not
The part OF wise men 10 instruct them
They tell us about the danger of negro
supremacy; but il they took only lit
tie pains they could easily divide the
black vote and neutralize 1t. We ought
perhaps TO say, they might have done
this short time ago. The negroes
were ready 10 be persuaded; they could
easily have been led in any direction,
by men truly friendly to them DESTROYS
to promote their welfare, and ready to
defend them against injustice. But
first to abuse them, deny them equal
rights and II fair chance in life, and re-
fuse them justice, and then TO cry out
because they vote against you, Is ridicu-
lous.
An array of parties which should per-
mAnently consolidate the white vote on
one side and the black vote on the 9TH
er, in any State, would be great mis-
fortune; but it is not probable that ii
will happen. Political parties in the
Southern States will rearrange them
selves AS soon as the work of recon-
StructiOn is complete; and the very dan
gers which the Democratic leaders fear
will teach them to corciliate the col
ored voters by policy of impartial
justice, and to persuade them by a
vigorous course OF political instruction.
In the Southern States, as in the North
ern, that party which plants itself on
the soundest principles, which most
truly seeks the greatest good of all,
whose policy defends the broadcast lib
erty, the wisest humanity, and looks
most straightly to the elevation of the
mass OF the people in virtue, inteili-
gence. prosperity and happiness-that
party will succeed. To that party the
people Will adhere instinctiveIy; TO its
banner they will flock; to its represen-
tatives they will give their votes. If,
as they assert, the Democratic politi-
clans in the Southern States have a
sOunder policy for the people of these
States than their opponents, let them go
amongst the people and make it
known. But so long as they seek to
PerPetuate class distinctions, and to
preserve the remains of the old wrong
OF slavery, they must expect to find
those who suffered by those wrongs
vote against them.