The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-01-15
A few Reasons.

y
men Of the South should vote against the Mon
grel Constitution now being framed BY the mix
ed Convention in session at Richmond.
In the first place, it will contain manhood
suffrage. That is, universal white and black
suffrage. It is true, suffrage Of itself does not
equalixe mankind, but it leads to other and
more equaliziug associations. For instance,
the holding of Office and the association upon
juries, and the adjudication Of causes upon
the bench When all the avenues to position
are opened to the negro, do you not see that
inevitably many Of them will become Judges,
Legislators, Governors, &c. Will this not lead
to equality between the races? And why?
because the close relationship Of representa-
tive and constituent, will soon destroy the dis
tinctiou that now separate the two races, and
a mingling Of their blood, and the production
Of mongrel race will be the inevitable con-
sequence. Who does not look with horror
upon this even remote result Of manhood suf-
frage. This would not be the result were
either race in sufficient preponderance to de-
spise the other politically. But here, in the
South, they are SO evenly balanced that the
negroes hold the balance ofpower. This, then,
will always make them an object to be quoted
by demagogues .. !, ss ~ ss.
In the next place it will undoubtedly Pro-
vide for free schools These schools will be
sustained by tax upon property. And who
owns the property? The white race. And
who will be the principal recipients Of this
bounty 2 The negroes Of course The whites
will not send to free schools, especially as these
schools will be composed Of both white and
black----for we have no idea that provision will
be made for division Of the school fund, SO
that the classes can be kept separate Then,
As there will be no division Of this fund, where
is the white man, rich or poor, conservative or
radical, who desires his child to be educated in
| constant association with negro children
Constant association begets familiarity, famili-
arity begets confidence, and confidence love,
and love marriage, and marriage a blending
of the blood of the two races. This free
school system is the most insidious scheme
that can be devised for breaking down the
barriers that now separate the two races in
the South. Whoever desires that the imme-
date future Of this State shall produce such
a mixed population as curses the fair land Of
Mexico, had better vote for the Constitution
soon to be submitted to the people for rati6-
cation or rejection. But he who desires
to keep the blood of the Caucasian race free
from degrading mixtures should leave no stone
unturned to defeat said Constitution. And
the poor man, who has as much to be proud
of in his origin, as dukes and princes-be-
cause the noblest blood of earth courses in his
veins-is as much, interested in preventing
this contamination as the rich and lordly land
owners of the South. .>..... .a.s
In the third place the aforesaid Constitu-
tion will provide a permanent disfranchise-
ment Of many Of our best citizens. Not best
because they happen to be wealthy and to
have occupied high civil and military posi-
tions. But best, because they have shown
that they we're worthy representatives Of free
and Independent constituents We fought
with them and under them, and it will be base
ingratitude now to consent that they shall be
denied the privilege we accept for ourselves.
"Ingratitude is treason to mankind, !" and can.
not be covered by "any size OF words p We,
| feel therefore that we do not appealin vain to
confederate soldiers to stand by their COM
rades and leaders ia this civil combat. 4
Many other reasons might be adduced, why
the white men of the State should not join
the ranks of the radicals, but We think these
sufficient for the present.
i We appeal to them not for the purpose Of
creating war of races, or for getting power
into our hands, but because the success of the
radical party opens wide the food gates Of po-
litical corruption and leadsinevitably to mix
ture of the blood Of the two races. Upon this
O. ~ d. A
high ground we take our stand, and to this
resolve We call our fellow citizens.
se Finance. m
We observe that Congress is very busy upon
the question of Finance. There seems to be
a determination among all parties to settle the
financial question upon firm basis. This is
what We need. It will give stability to the
currency, and will settle the gold question
The fluctuations in gold is what is running
business, and daily threatening the country
with another financial revulsion The destruc-
ton of the gold rooms in New York, will re-
store confidence throughout the country but
while a few men there can create nneasiness,
not to say panic, in business circles, it is idle
to expect anything else but = continuance Of
the distrust we have had for nearly three years.
| The prevailing idea seems to be the fund
ing of the national debt in long maturing
bonds, principal and interest payable in gold
There seems to be quite q diversity of opin-
| ion. as to what interest the bonds shall bear