The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-01-06
The virginia Conference.

argum ents in favor Of the new proposition.
We quote few extracts: q" 8ste
&c Anterior TO the Presidential election we
cherished q strong hope that this cup Of
negro suffrage might pass, 30 far as vr-
a;n;a WAS concerned. The result Of that
election, and, yet more, the spirit in which
Congress has reSssembled, convinces us that
it is utterly vain to expect any relaxation
of the fell purpose Of the dominant party in
this regard. The negro uotes noeo ne Is TO
,ote-that much Is certain, auhether the PEG
ple of Virginia like 1t or not, a0hether zoe lsAe
It or not. Whether the people Of Virginia
recognize the situation or not, the negro
will continue to vote at the elections. Con-
gregg will take care Of that, and they, not
re. are smasters of the situation AS this
vote is to be cast, it is an important cues
ton whether this political force is to be
welded solidly, as now, by the carpet-bag-
ger, or welded, in part at least, by the
white intellect Of the State.
arassTn either cage we think the negro an
unfit depositary Of political power but
whatever the mischiefs of this arrange
nent, the people Of Virginia cannot cure or
prevent them by their opposition. Ihey
have not the power to make their opposi-
ton effective, and the only effect OF such
impotent resistance is, as it seems to Us, to
cement more firmly the present power OF
the carpet-bagger over the negro, and to
render probable the adoption Of some con-
stitution or State government containing
both negro suffrage and Acknowledgement.
IF they once pass under this yoke they will
not find extrication an easy matter. In
view of oil this, we cannot but hail the late
movement at Richmond, which aims to se-
cure practical results. This we take to be
the true path of statesmanship, aiming not
at abstract perfection or unattainable good,
but at the best possible result for the peo-
ple. under all the circumstances, and trust
ing to time, the increased power Of reason,
and an improved public opinion for those
ameliorations which experience may de-
monstrate to be necessary.
GAS to the effect upon Congress of the
people of Virginia appealing to that body
for relief from acknowledgements, accept
ing universal suffrage, all We can say is
that it promises something; the other plan
absolutely nothing but political subjuga-
.ion. It gives the people of Virginia
hearipg-a locus Standi in court-whereas
now they have absolutely none at all. 1t
gives them a chance of new convention,
as advocated by the New York Times. 1t
gives them much better chance of new
registration, by which the twenty five thou
sand voters now entitled to vote by existing
laws of reconstruction would not be shut
off. Both by this new vote and by the IL
creased influence over the blacks it thus
makes probable the defeat Of the Constltu-
ton by an overwhelming majority.
"In addition to this view, zoe knou OF
leading Republican senator's aoho haze lately
declared that if negro suffrage De secured
thev do not desire the distranchase'nent OF
the e5hites by the State Consultation OF YER
gtrsia. .-
"Thoueh the present oarpet-bag govern
mens of Virginia secures to the adventures
nearly all they want, and makes the people
practically their subjects, still it Is most
likely that Congress will legislate with 8
view to bring the State 'into the Union,'
as it is called, Under some form of govern
ment. If this be not soon accomplished,
the alternative plan probably will be q
provisional government according to the
pattern of the bill drafted and nearly
passed at the last session Of Congress. The
present status can hardly be long main
tanned. It is bad enough in all conscience,
but there is great danger of worse and
more lasting tyranny if no steps be taken
to divide the negro vote, and none to ope-
rate on Congress. :,
eve do not undertake to guarantee that
this course will certainly ensure liberal
action on the part Of Congress, or certain
escape from acknowledgements. What we
do sfirm is that it is the only way by which
the attention of Congress for an appeal by
Virginia can be secured that it offers some
prospect of liberal and just action by that
body on other points; that it does very
| nearly ensure the division of the black
vote Of Virginia, and the consequent rejec-
ton of the Constitution by an emphatic
majority. ,,s ..a....
"Our plan is no magic plaster or potion,
warranted to cure under all circumstances
for we have to deal with deeply prejudiced
and not few bad men, and we merely
| take all the chances of escape possible. II
is like coming to fork in the road, the one
way having the least mud and least risk,
and yet not wholly free from danger; the
other leading as straight as human wit can
point to den of robbers and thieyes-the
rule of the carpet baggers, greedy and in
oof;ohlo In thar scheues oP nlunder - IS