Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-08-27
N. B.-More anon.
The Effects.

The proceedings of the late Radical Conven-
ton at Richmond are already having their ma
tural effect, in disgusting many of Conservative
tendencies, who were every way disposed to
hope for the best from cooperation and who
were willing to go very far in aid of Reconstruc-
ton, even under the auspices of the dominant
party. We have proof of this, from various
sources. The following extract from the Char
lottesville Chronicle whose position is explain
ed in what it says, will show how this Radical
Convention has operated:
There are certain decencies to- be observed
even in politics. We deplore the disposition to
bury all sentiments of common honesty and
truthfulness for the sake of what is called Eek
p,edlency. :" We are willing-and We have
shown every disposition-to make all conces
sions, save honor, to compromise the existing
complications of this State. We have humored
the colored people to the last degree consistent
with selfrespect., We were perfae,,,,v willing
(if they had no objectionsA = ,et the co.onera,
tionists try the r,en ~ of Of ' Going to- the
-. Convention They have tried 1t,
ma what is the result? From the proceedings
Of that Convention, it is almost impossible to
discover that any white man was there, except
Mr.. Hunnicutt and Mr.. Hawxhurst. The col
ored neopIe lust took things in their own hands,
and acted as if there were no white people In
the State, They have de6antly organized them
selves into black man S party, and only one
thing remains for the white people to do; to
take up the glove. r,
| Our advice is this let us fight it out. 1t
may be that in the approaching election, the
whites will fail to carry a majority OF the coun-
ties. But in the long run the result IS not
doubtful The colored people are merely seal
ING their own doom. We tell them, as we have
told them before, that thirty-one millions OF
white people in the United States are not going
to surrender the South-the magnificent en-
pire of the South-to four millions of blacks
| The thing cannot be done it will not be done
their hope is in peace; but if they will have
war, let it come.
In better times Virginia, for more than hall
a century, performed too important, controlling
and conspicuous a part in the politics Of the
country, for her people now to become the po-
litical parasites of the triumphant section.-
There is no degradation involved in our sub
hitting, with heroic fortitude, to the rule of the
VICTOR but whilst we are taxed and yet denied
representation, and the monstrous dogma il
proclaimed that we have no constitutional rights
| we should dishonor ourselves by wearing the
political livery of those who still possess The
protection of the organic and statute laws O.
the land When the political parties of this
country represented great principles, and were
led by a race of intellectual giants who have
passed away, Virginia's position was too PROUD
a one for her now to play an humble and dis
honorable part in the disreputabe politics O
these unhappy times. Let the motto of a ia
nous Scottish family, ''aoe 6ide oar tinae,' b,
remembered, for it is better to watch ant
wait than to be forever disgraeed and polluted
by our intrigues with the Radical party.
Let education, scientific agriculture, State i'm
provements the mechanic arts, and trade ant
commerce occupy our attention. Let the hire
ling missionaries of party which is alread,
Fastening to perdition with weight of sin up
on it's shoulders which ensures its speedy de
struction, fill the State with their clamor,
they will, for if we follow these golden precept
they can do us no harm.
If we display but little while longer tina
splendid courage and admirable fortitude which
added so much to the renown of our people du
ring the late war, the dark cloud which nov
covers our horizon will reveal its silver lining
Shun communicating political coalitions, attent
sedulously to our own affairs, and do rigidl.
what is necessary to avoid the forfeiture of tn
scant liberties which we now possess, and gu
latest posterity will honor an ancestry who's
great virtues neither the brutality ofopen hate
nor the treachery Of pretended friendship coult
destroy. and Ecdnal,ler.