The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-24
VIRGINIA..


Sth OF July is something over l,7Oo.
VIRGINIA.
--
General Review OF the Social and Political
Condition of the People-Pcaceable Char
acter of the Negro when Free from Bad
MISREPRESENTATION of the Whites-A
Sound Policy of Observation-Disclosures
Upon the Presidential Issues nnd the Cam
didates--Opinians of Grant--His Policy Cam
vassed--The Safest President -Eecstoration
OF Virginia Invoked by General Grant.
LYHcHBURG, Sept. 20, 1863
During somewhat extended and protracted tour,
embracing the whole northwestern section of the
State, l had many rambes by foot and rides by
stage through the mountains and an abundance OF
leisure, without lack OF opportunity, to con-
verse with all manner and conditions
of people. Rich and poor, whites and
blacks, radicals and conservatives. were in
turn met. sometimes sought and generally spoken
with upon all matters, whether social, political or
domestic, and it became my object as 1t WERE to
feel the public pulse and, il possible to ascertain
It's precise condition In these frequent conserva-
tons it was easy to discover that IL tae last two
years little change had been effected in the sentl-
ments Of all classes. The antagonlsm then existing
between the races is nearly extinct, and whites as
well blacks are beginning to realize that they
mutually dependent on each other, and that unless
they live peaceaby and friendly together both will
Ego to the dogs" Sambo is sensible enough to see
all this, and In there has consequence been reac
ton against his pretended friends the carpet-bag-
gers, many OF whom so cruelty deceived him
in the matter OF "forty acres and O mule'' to
get his vote, and now that there is no voting
to be done he is ercer in his denunciation OF this
migratory tribe Of office seekers. Everywhere the
negro was at work, and the splendid crops that pre-
sented themselves on the roadsdes through this
fertile section OF the Old Dominion were an ample
demonstration Of an era Of good feeling Naturally
disposed to Incidence and all the vices that human
flesh is heir to, the negro when encouraged to be
vagabond and ia mised by his white superiors. as he
regards them, becomes not only worthless, but a
nuisance in the community where he resides but
take away these bad In uences and he easily acquires
habits Of industry that make him valuable acqusi-
ton in Southern climate. Meeting quite an intel
lgent specimen Of the Congo, whose name found to
be George Washington, one day recently, remarked
to him. @
"well, George, how do You get along now"
"Berry well, massa. Got plenty work, plenty to
eat good Clothes comfortable cabin. whar de ole wo
man is, and the childer, an reckon OATS much as
any nigga wants."
"WhO do you live With"
"Old Massa Jim Thompson. Been libin wild him
since de war, all de time; neber lef him cept once
but soon cum back"
"why did you leave him then, Georgeg"
"Well, Use most shamed to tell bout dat. All OF
US nggas turned fools an jned de league, an
tended meetins all ODER de country, an left work
an didn't tend to nuifin. SO old boss cum to me
here to work or quit. SO takes am quits and KEEP
runnin' bout after de speakers; but neber made
p pacR a Masa doing
and wants to go to work. SO he say, GO 10 work,
George, and stay at It, So been to work, steady
"Do you belong to the league still, George"
mo, sab. De man what do all de talking dun
gone lef desc diggins. Got no use for him, am
eberybody gifts along better widout him..
'But you are radical STILL amt you, George"
Use publican, but dey say good n, many culed
see bout dat. De white folks all dmocrats, AM shut
an certain dat mus be de mos spectacle, an l
Such are the sentiments OF the negroes in oil local.
tiles where they free from the deoralizlng innu
ences of Northern adventurers and Southern ex-
rebels, who devoid OF oil comnion self-respect,
and who are by no means respected by the simple
ss5 Be sa and
cal revolution In progress among the whites Old
some instances found the doctrine Of State rights
superseded BY Q just appreciation IN the minds of
eminent and the duties incumbent Upon them as
good citizens OF It, Indeed they all feel that they are
and the most intractable and fierce that were
pdy becoming disposed to take calm and sensible
view OF che situation. Inc aversion to the Yansee"
nothing quality that welcomes the immigrant
who comes to settle In Virginia, no matter
the people the most ample credit, and social inter-
course Is at established and the true basis Of
the entire people finds an echo In the encouraging
words of General Grant, "Let US have peace.n VI
war they have had enough and OF suffering misrnle
and anarchy an Over-abundance that makes them
long for the return of an era OF confidence and good
feeling which they have so much lacked since the
on the Presidential question found the white
people generally In favor OF the election Of seymour
nS but though this is the case there is pre-
election Of Grant and tCoiax win be simosi
speedy settlement Of the "negro question:" which
Seymour and Blair are pledged to, but which mum.
the election Of General Grant, who they believe viii
be President In fact II the coming election 30 de-
cdes have no hesitation IN saying that the people
OF Virginia willing to place their desnies IN the
wards Robert E. Lee and their other leaders, and
m asTs Some Of the more sensible and
wealthy among the virginians did not hesitate 70
TO sSs1 cm
oppression; that the President Of the people, and
not the radical party he would act independently 10.
wards the South, confident OF nations appreciation,
no matter what Congress or the ultra radicals may
attempt to the contrary. The belief gains strength
listen neither TO the counses Of the extremists Of
the North nor the nre-eatng friends OF the South
On another Important and 70 them the most vital
issue IL Ia prevalent impression among the people
here that Grant Is not entirely welded TO the idol Of
negro Suffrage, and consequently negro supremacy
that II no cannot modify the present condition Of
the southern states in this respect he will at least
throw no obstacle In the way OF carrying out the
provisions OF the fourteenth amendment They are
perfectly willing TO forcgo q portion Of their Con-
gresslonal representation u allowed to reduce their
voting population.
Az Virginia has not yet been reconstructed, the
constitution framed by the negro and carpet-bag
vention not yet having been submitted TO the people,
they hope In case OF the election OF General Grant,
some more palataoe method OF restoring
save her from negro domination, through
the horrors OF negro Legislature next winter and
summer. II such o reasonable path cannot DO
discovered, then the people far prefer to remain
under the government OF General stoneman, his
gentlemanly officers and his well disciplined troops.
There are large numbers Of the moss prudent and
influential gentlemen In the State who take this
view OF the present state or aars and who act ac
70 ,ne ac.a.es .. season and are nos sasns