The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-11-18
The Times.

vancement of human happiness, has ever
been placed in position, in the absence
of bloody war, more embarrassing, ha-
RAISING, and injurious to the general vel
fars> than the people Of Virginia-wc mean
the uhne people: for they are the really
responsible people, without whose wisdom
and fortitudc there would be here no pros
pect, and no earthly hope for anything
save barbsrism. They have borne their
misfortunes with a courage and steadiness,
with q freedom from the outburSts Of pas
sion their trials were we'll calculated to
produce, that will in after ages rebound
to their immortal honor and glory. Their
patience and constancy at such time are
equal to any of the grand virtues they
have displayed in war in times bygone.
For these exhibitions Of true manhood
and wisdom they will be rewarded. The
heavy hand of oppression must be lifted
up. The monstrous measure which takes
the Government out Of the hands of the
educated, intelligent, refined, and respon-
sible portion Of society ard places II
under the direction Of the illiteratc, igno-
rant, and unrcfincd class, so lately in
state of slavery, led and excited to intole
rance and bitter passions by men little
more refined and barely better Informed
than themselves, cannot long prevail. 1t
must be upturncd or rendered harmless.
The safety Of the country and the inte-
rests of the whole nation demand it. II
is impossible that the nation can last halt
barbarous and half civilized. II is impoS-
sible that the national interests can be
prosperous and advancing under such
state Of things The very authors Of the
measures which have brought about the
monstrous anomaly Of a government in the
South are aware Of this, and are evidently
alarmed at the dreadful consequences
which are plainly growing out of their
policy. That they will be disposed to
concede all that we may desire we have
no idea; but that they arc ready to make
some concession that may save US from
the full measure Of the destruction now
threatened We are perfectly convinced.
What their disposition is, time must dis
close. One thing We have long known,
and that is: it was never designed that
negroes were to be elevated to office.
That was altogether outside Of the Radi-
Cal platform. The negro was placed upon
the registry as voter in order that he
might vote for the lcltite Radical. That he
was to vote for himself was not intended.
Apart from that, the Radicals knew too
well that to submit the representative po-
sitions, the law making and the law ad-
ministration, to ignorant negroes would not |
only destroy the national, industrial, and |
commercial interests, but bring down upon |
themselves storm Of public indignation
that would sweep them from the earth.
Their apprchensions On this point have
been effectively heightened by the recent
popular manifestations, and they are be-
yond question much more inclined to
soften than to aggravate the rough and
dangerous features of their reconstruction
measures.
In this view we should not allow such
a sentiment as dependency 20 mo
corner in our hearts. 1t is not IN the Or
der of Providence that such a people as
those of Virginia should be given over TO
misfortune, barbarism, and misery. For
titude and manly energy will triumph. We
should be hopeful; nay, confident. we
must be left after time to manage our
own affairs. The Freedmens Bureau
must be withdrawn in a few months.
Even General HOWARD has recommended
that its life shall not be prolonged by act
of Congress after the termination Of its
unnatural existence in July next. The
vicious League will next die out. Even
the negroes will be impatient Of its
tyranny. Witness the evidences Of its
iron rule in the late elections. Was ever
there body of men who were all of one
mind upon the mere questions Of public
policy and the selection of men for office !!
Yet we found the negroes all voting as
though there was but one sentiment, one
opinion, amongst them. 1t was the tyranny |
Of League-an institution which makes
the negro more abject slave than he ever
was. His mind and soul are in chains
whereas, in other days, his body alone was
held to service and labor. He will burst
the new bands that are put upon him, and
Will become, like other men, free. Natu-
rally this is Inevitable. If by artifce and
trick of vicious and corrupt agencies the
natural influence should be prevented, why
then war of races must follow; and as
sure as anything in this life, the negro must
80 10 the wall and be reduced to o condi-
''on more wretched and degraded than
any yet Known to HIM in this country.
Lord MAcAULEr says most truly that in
revolutionary times no party can lon, "a
main IN the ascendant. This ,rnth Sad,
cible from all history, is most assureS,v .
be verified in this country. If it does ~,
80 turn out as soon as we desire, let us no,
ny impatient. 1t must come. As sure as
We IVe' the better part, the responsible and
enlightened part Of society, that alone
which can work the country out of its
troubles and reGstablish its prosneritr
must be placed in the ascendant and tbst
at an early day. 1t is demanded bv tho
national welfare, and perfectly in accord
ahce with that higher providential law
which shapes and SmOothes orr ends