Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-05-25
Sneech of Col. Walker.

We clip the following report of Gilbert
Walkers speech, delivered at Petersburg, OF
Friday night, the Nth inst
He said it had been long time since he hat
attempted to make a public speech, and a Ion.
time since he had actively participated in poll
tics But he looked upon this contest as on
of no ordinary character, else he would no
have left his private duties and interest to TAX
part IN 1t. 1t i've years ago any one had tolt
him he would be the nominee for Governor O
Virginia, he would have believed it impossible
For such an honorable and important position
he would have thought that there were many
others fmore brilliant intellect and of far great
er merit than he possessed. But great crisis
called for great sacrifices we are in the
midst of great crisis. We are called upon te
reconstruct State. Old feelings and old prin
cipes and old associations have been swept
away in the vortex of a nights revolution, anc
we are required to build UP new government
and to establish a new order of affairs
Individually, he did not consider the ques-
ton OF the civil political rights of the two races
in this contest. That is settled beyond contro-
versy, and he would not discuss it. The col
ored man has the same right to vote that he
has.
But there is one other question at issue in
this canvass Of commanding interest, and over
shadowlng everything else in importance-it Is
the qagit Of the aole5te man to cote While he
has voice and an arm to raise, he would nev-
er consent to the dsfranchisement Of any of his
fellow citizens. 1t is-shall the white man be
placed upon an equality with the black man in
regard to suffrage--not whether the black man
shall be placed on an equality with the white.
BY the constitution soon to be submitted to
the voters OF this State, many are disfranchised
and nlnety-tivc per cent of our old citizens,
whom We respect and conGde in, will be pre-
vented from holding office. He announced him
self as being utterly opposed to such masifest
injustice. 1t would follow, as naturally as day
follows night, that If he is in favor of the en-
Ganchisement Of the blacks he is also in favor
of the enfranchlsement Of the whites. Certain
provisions of this constitution-those in regard
to disfranchisement, the test-oath, and possibly
arately, SO that we can vote them down, and
establish the great principle Of universal am
nesty and universal suffrage.
Another great and important reason fol
adopting this platform is to decide whether fol
all future time there is to be war of races
whites against blacks and blacks against whites
The man who goes to the polls and votes fol
the disfranchisement Of his neighbor, votes fol
war of races. He opposed this and favored
peace. By no other mode can this State be
peaceably and successfully reconstructed and re-
stored to the Union.
As rule, the whites are the employers anC
the blacks are the laborers. Do you want il
your neighborhood, in your household, in YOU
school-houses, a feeling Of distrust and of ha
tired which must eventually result in war anC
destruction. No! Rather let us cultivate har
mony and peace The adoption Of a platform
of equal civil rights to all men would result tt
the common good, increase our prosperity anC
enhance the glory of the State. Ifit should bt
the will of the people to elect him Governor o
this noble old Commonwealth, he would make
it his duty to mete out equal and exact justice
to all persons-regardess of condition or color
If the platform is endorsed, if the constitu
ton as expurgated is adopted, il this question
is thus settled, no man can conceive the glory
and prosperity Of the State in the future. Y ou
courts would be opened, your officers would bt
elected, capital would flow in among US, emf
grants would flock to our lands, factories woult
spring up, and everything would rebound to ou
| welfare and prosperity.
The provisions Of the constitution do not
meet his entire approval. lie favored a com
mon school education, and, if elected, would
endeavor to put in force proper and suitable
system of education He was taught from hi
infancy to Delieve tnat the SAFETY or republic
depends upon the intelligence of the people.
Therefore every person in the State should b.
taught the elements Of education.
Colonel Walker again referred to his inexpe
rence in public speaking and his objection tt
entering the political field. But in view Of tht
important matters to be decided in this canvass
he felt that Individual interest should be sunl
in the SCALE He would seek, if elected, to dis
charge his duty faithfully and with impartiality
T. At the conclusion of Colonel Walker
speech he was loudly applauded.