The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-03-27
The new Political EIsmenr In the
South

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Southern, and especially the Virginia
papers, can scarcely appreciate the
rapid and radical change that is going
on in regard to negro citizenship and
suffrage. We can scarcely credit the
evidence Of our senses as we read their
editorials in favor Of all sorts ofconciI-
iaiiou, cultivation and kindness toward
the negroes. The race Is now to be be-
tween the agents Of the Freedmen's Bu-
reau and the native population of the
South. say the editors, and the evident
determination OF the latter is to win it,
II possible. The negroes are spoken OF
IN terms Of almost positive endearment.
Their rights are freely acknowledged,
and their cooperation and alliance
ways been feIlow-citizsns and
political equals. The Wing Of SIor-
day last has striking leader on
the new relation Of these people TO their
former owners. II addresses the latter
in very serious and earnest tones as to
the necessity OF divesting themselves
al once and thoroughly OF any preju-
length and breadth, so far as suffrage
is concerned. II tells them that old
ideas about superiority and caste are
10 be dismissed, and everything
like arrogance utterly put away
from the sight OF the coIored
brethren. III we act" says the
editor, under old ideas and habits,
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element to useful account unavailing.
I'VE will fail, and fail miserabIy, if we
proceed upon tine assumption that this
vote belongs to US, and that we can
'eoeTeei it. Property in the blacks, and
"coerciTe force over them have passed
away. They are now endowed with
"spontaneity, and since they have the
privilege OF voting as they please. due
regard must be paid to their wishes
The Richmond Times Of the same day,
a paper that has been noted since the
close of the war for the absolute demon
ism Of its apparent hatred for all things
Yankeeish, has an editorial headed
New Leaders" in the course Of which
it takes occasion to declare that the old
Southern politicians are played out,
and that new men like General Wade
Hampton, who can see and understan
and improve the opportunity, and who
at once and firmly take their stand OF
the hastings before negro audiences
and address them in terms OF political
fellowship, are the men for the crisis,
and the true leaders for the Southern
people TO follow. "In South Carolina, -
it says, "whiIe fossil politicians and
hids-bound statesmen are placing in
jeopardy the liberties of the white
race by the discussion OF dead issues,
"Wade Hampton by "A single sharp,
" decisive blow, cuts the Gordian knot
(which the bungling fingers OF the
"Uerde antiques could never have
"untied."
The Richmond Enquirer is the only
paper that halts and hangs fire, and it
undertook. some days ago, to reproach
those who plunged in on the inevitable
and irresistible current with inconsis-
tency, and with an insensibility and
indifference to yirginia's honor. Its
cotemporaries, however, do not seem
greatly disturbed by its reproaehes, and
the Dispatch answers them thus:
"To relieve our neigh Dor as much ne
possible, we would add that we sur
rendered with General Lee in 1865. not
withstanding some brave utterRnces OF
ours, based, perhaps, upon his, that we
would never be conquered;" and that
we again surrendered in the same good
Company IN 1907, Notwithstanding
other brave words uttered when we had
not been overcome by the sword. We
dld not stop to discuss the question OF
inconsistency in either case.'