The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-04-17
from Riehn,ond.


almost lovingly together in political
way. The most sanguine advocate OF
the Military bill could not have antici-
pated result more positively delight
full. The rebels have suddenly found
"a man and BROTHER" as Wendell
Phillips would say, in the negro. The
Richmond papers of Monday contain a
brief note addressed by sundry "re-
spectacle and well-bred colored ctti-
zens," TO quote the Language of the
Dispatch, addressed to Marmaduke
johnson, R. T. Daniel, and W. Il. Mac
Farland, requesting them to address a
MAS meeting Of colored people on the
questions of the day. Those gentle
men signify their entire willingness
and readiness to do SO. The note Is as
follows: $500
RICHMOND, April u, 1867.
Maruaduke johnson, Vim. II. Mucfdr-
land and Il. T. Daniel, ESqS.
GENrLEMEN-We, the undersigned,
colored citizens of Richmond, finding
ourselves surrounded by circumstances
both novel and embarrassing, and be-
ing deslrous ofacting only in q manner
becoming respectable and loyal Citi-
zeus OF Richmond, Virginia, and the
Union, take the liberty Of asking that
you will convey TO us, through the me-
dunn Of an address, at such time and
place as may be most convenient to
you, that sAlutary and impartial adj
vice, which We 30 much need and which
your past career and present standing
40 we'll enable YOU to give,
Hoping TO receive q favorable an
BWer, we remain most truly and re-
Your friends and obedIent servants,
In response to this note the gentle
men invited addressed large meeting
of their colored fellow-ci;izens at the
theatre on Monday night. We have
not yet received the proceedings OF the
meeting, but we doubt not 1t was an en-
tire success. And we doubt not that
the speeches were good and TO the
point, for the orators selected are men
of capacity, and know from long prac-
tice how to reach not only the under
standing but the sympathies of their
hearers. And We can say Of them, too,
that they are representatives Of the best
class OF the RECONSTRUCTED" men
who were not original secessionists,
but who were forced into the rebellious
current after vain struggle
aRainst 1t. We take considerable
stock In the advice which such men
may give the negroes, and we trust the
latter Will weigh well the question Of
leadership between such men, and the
violent, extrayagant. and crack-brain-
ed Hunnicutt & Co. We regard the adj
vice of the Richmond Whigas entirely
timely and salntary. That paper pro-
poses "that the respectable original
"Union men, such as Governor Peir-
"point, Mr.. Stearns, and othersof their
"class, the respectable colored people,
f" and those who supported the South
" ern cause in the late war, should
"unIte their forces and act together
It also advises "that 1t would be the
"part OF wisdom to confer upon
"Such respectable Union men as
"desire office the pOsltionsit TO which
''they may aspire. For instance, If
"Governor Peirpoint, who is now Gov
"ernor, and has, in many respects,
"made the best Governor that the Com
" monwealth has had in our day, should
"desire reelection, to vote for him, or
SHOULD desire a seat in either house Of
(" Congress, to support him for that"
This is rational and practical advice.
The giving OF 1t shows a most hopeful
awakening Of the RECONSTRUCTED"
mind, and Union men throughout the
country ought to encourage the dispc-
sitIon it evinces to forget not only all
rebellious preference, but actually all
prejudice Of caste. Reasonable men
can ask NO more, and the people of the
loyal States will ask no more. When
the whites and blacks of the South
thus act together in consultation and
cooperation for the common good, the
legitimate ends OF the Reconstruction
bill will be accomplished. 1t is not
desirable that the whites and blacks
of the South should antagonize each
other. So far as the former
come down to the true intent
of the act Of Congress, and treat the
Oolored people as entitled to a
fRIr participation in political matters,
that far they should receive not only
the commendation OF the country, but
the alliance of the colored vote and con-
fidence in the South. The fact is ap-
parent enough that the ballot in the
hands of the blacks is their sure guaran-
ty OF protection. AS Douglas we'll
said, in his Washington Hall speech, 1t
Is only uniepresented tninorities that
are oppressed. There is no going back
on four millions Of people that have
the right to vote. Their patronage will
be bid for. Andthe bids will be as high
as need be. From whatever motives
their interests will be looked after in
matters Of legislation, because those
who do not keep an eye on those inter-
ests know full well that competitors
will arraign their delinquency at the
polls In the presence OF the negroes.
All We have to do, therefore, is to
stand to one aide and look on at the
working OF Reconstruction in the South.
Under the operation of the Military
bill the perfection Of the whole pre-:
cess and the ultimate security of the
negro Is Sbundantly assured. OF
course, 1t il wen that 'smany men o.
many minds," nom all parts Of the
country, should unite in the canvass
that IL going on in The South. Let Sem
ator Wilson and Wade Hampton stump
side by side II they choose. or seperate-
j., u they prefer, and show the negroes
the omissions and commissions OF each
other, and OF each others party; \.
All that i wanted is entire
freedom Of discussion, and entire free
Of choics after discussion. In the alb