The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-12-18

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Could any one doubt but that we should
see similar results in the Southern States Sc
the whole country between the Potomac and
the RIO Grande should be submitted to the;
rule of the colored race The Radical party
seemed to think that they would thus secure
the support Of the whole Southern country SO
long as the black man should rule. They.
would find themselves mistaken in this after
the first election. The blacks would form, not
a Radical, but a black mans party, and we
know, from the history of party warfare, that
all parties would bid for them. They would
act for the benefit of themselves, and not for
this or that party of the whites, and can there
be conceived anything more demoralising than
party constituting. in the language OF oneof
the resolutions one-third Of the Senate, and a
fourth ofthe House of Representatives who
would thus hold the balance ofpower between
the two parties of the white race, and act only
for their own good AS Free Lancers in the
field, they would determine all disputed cues
tons in reference only to their own interests.
Hesaid this in no feeling Of hostility to the
colored race, but in accordance only with the
history Of the past. On the contrary, he felt
kindly towards the colored race, but thought
their welfare was to be promoted in a mode.
which was contrary, perhaps, to their own
view. But there were dangers ahead OF them
in their present course to which they had not
adyerted, and which had been carefully con-
cealed from them. Suppose they could as
sumo the control Of the Southern States for
the present, how long would It last? Would
the white race in the Forth long endure a
state of things IN which The blacks, though
minority, would control, by holding the bal
ance Of power in all contested political ques-
lions Would they consent to see the mate
rial resources and productions of the South.
wasted and perhaps destroyed which used to
yield them SO large harvest Of wealth p
Would they contribute to the result which
was to restore the cultivated field to the will
derness and jungle, and leave the wild beasts
and the alligator to reign supreme over those
plains and bottoms, which heretofore had been
the seats Of refined civilization, and of a
production whose profits extended North as
well as South7 Would they stand by con-
tentedly and see the moral, material and So
cial elements of'strength and happiness vast
ed and almost destroyed to maintain the SUI
premacyof the colored race, which would seem
to be the present policy.
Every consideration of selfrespect and MS
tional interest would forbid it. The extreme
western limit of agricultural settlement east of
Rocky mountains has already been attained.
Itcannot be long before thetide ofagricultural
immigration must soon tend Southwark The
colered race viii not be allowed to hold these
immense resources IN allegiance. This country
belongs to the white man, andthey will claim
its control. 70 subject the white race in
Virginia to the government of the black race,
when it rs superior in numbers, wealth and
intelligence, would be to commit one of the
highest of all sins, a sin against nature
Would any party in loyal States permit the
blacks to give the power of the government to
a minority anong stthenselves when they had
onlv to call into action their own strength TO
avert? Was there ever a race superior in num-
bers, wealth and intelligence to those who
governed them who talnely submitted to be
SO ruled!
I throw out these considerations not mere
I ly to encourage my own fellow citizens and
brethren but for the black race itself, whom
| have kindly feelings. I was not only rear
ed amongst them and feel the kindly ties of
early association, but | acknowledge the obli-5
cation which rests upon Us to give them all
the opportunities of progress and development
which we can afford them in justice to our
selves. That the reaction will come, | have
no doubt, but fear it will come in mode
which I should regret as a friend to civiliza-
ton and humanity, and to the black race it.
self And suppose for the sake OF a brief
period of control which is given them, not
for their own sakes, but to secure the suprem-
acy Of the Radical party they should thus get
up a contest between the races and incur the
hostility Of the whites, what win become Of
them when the reaction comes? [ shudder to
think of the result. Ifthe Radicals appeal
to the black race to sustain them, will not
the other party invoke the aid of the whites,
who are SO much more powerful in all the ma
tural clements Of strength in the country IN
which they may be brought intoscompetitlon.
j speak not only in the interests Of the white,
but also of the black race when l protest
against any system Of laws which seeks to
place the weaker and inferior race in control
over that which is superior in wealth, num-
bers and intelligence. After all, the citizens
of any community have more interest in its
good government than in the question OF who
shall direct it, Twill not offer the advice,
because it will not be received in the spirit
ia which it is offered, but far better would it
be for the blacks to leave the government of
the country where they found it. II they do
not provoke the hostility Of the white race,
they will be treated not only with justice but
generosity. If they are made equal in the
eye of the law and protected in all their
rights, would they not be in a far better posi-
ton to leave the government to the whites,
who are best.fttcd for Tit? I am sure Ispeak
mot only my own feelings, but those also Of
the white. citizens Of Virginia, when I say
that at present we would tolerate no govern
5ment which did not respect not only their
freedom, but their just rights Of person and
property.
But Mr. President it may be that they
will heed no advice which can give them.
Che Radical party which now controls Con-
gress may,-retain that for two years yet to
come, and they may force on us a state of
things contrary not only to justice, but sound
policy. There will nothing be left to us then
but patient endurance until the reaction
comes That it will come [ do not doubt for
moment, ssand if it should bring conse-
quences to the black race which we shall all