Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-09
Negro Supremacy.


A single sentence in the Subjoined letter from
Hon. A. H. II. STUART, Of Staunton, illustrates
the wicked manner in which white men of the
South are degraded and negroes exalted. Mr..
Stuart was invited to attend, as a guest, the
Eighth Of January Celebration in the City of
Washington. He is compelled to decline. He
feels that himself and the old State, the mother
Of Washington and other distinguished men,
are under the ban Of despots, and he is denied
the political privileges which are accorded to
his negro servant But let his pithy letter
state the case truthfully and eloquently:
SrAUNToS. Va, January >, 1868.
GENTLEMEN: | pray you to accept my
thanks fer your kind invitation to attend ban
Duet % be given az the Metropolitan Hotel, in
the city Of Washington, on the sth instant. un-
der the auspices Of leading members Of the Con-
sentative Democratic party.
Under ordinary circumstances il would be
peculiarly gratifying To me 10 participate in the
festivities Of that occasion, and to enjoy the
feast OF reason aud flow Of soul which, doubt
not, will give zrst % your entertainment. But
situated as Iam-dlslanchised as a citizen. de
MED the political privileges which are accorded
to my negro servant; repealed from the hall
of the House of representatives, TO which was
elected almost by reclamation; my native
State, the proud old mother of Washington, and
Henry. aud Jefferson. uureCoguized, save as
Military District No. IL must confess would
f.ci somewhat OUT ui place 10 your buarl.
In former days. when | visited Washington
rs representative of the people, or rs the ASST
CiJte OF Webster, Critteudeu, and Corwin, in
the Executive Councils of the nation, felt that,
IN the eve of the law, at least, was the peer
Of the Hottest iu the land | was privileged u
think freely, and Ia speak freely on all matters
of public concern. Were | t. join your circle
now, | should feel painfully CONSCIOUS of the
difference between your position and NINE
No military order can cunSigu YOU % dungeon
beyond the reach ut kdbedS corpus. and no per-
Suaslve bayuuetS admonish You to speak with
" bated breath With me the case might be-
different. But be that as it may, while Vir-
guia mouruS ! cannot rej'ice. While the cy-
press eucirclcs her brow, cannot Irvine the
myrtle around my own.
But may / not hope that the present condi-
ton of things is temporary? If ] do not mis-
interpret the SlsuS of the times, the day IS near
at hand when, by the mandate Of a magnani-
nous people, the shackleS will be stricken from
the limbs of Virginia and he- Southern sisters.
and there shall be given unto them beauty
for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the
garment Of praise for the spirit of heavmeSs."
When that glorious day shall have arrived, |
shall be happy to meet You and your fellow
patriots around the festive board, and on behalf
of Virginia 10 offer willing aud hearty tribute
Of gratitude to the noble Conservative Demo-
Gratis who set her free
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALIEN. II. H. STUART
MeSsrs. Charles Mason. Thomas b. Florence
Henry W. Harrington, Samuel j. Randall
James G.. Bcrret, Jonah u. Hoover, CJrue-
Illus Wendell. and William Finn.