The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-07-09
The Golored Voters.

The manner in which the cOlored people
of the State have been alienated from the
whites, and become divided from them upon
a line of color, is known to us all. Wlthout
comment upon the question OF the Imam
ner" in which it came about, the occasion
is fitting to say few words as to the lnlu-
rious nature of such division, and the ao-
solute necessity for the harmony ana pros
perity of society that this alienation, TINS
division upon the line Of color, should hence
forth cease.
The colored people should remember
that in the recent election there was no
question as to their rights. All that they
could claim had been accorded to them.
The ONLY question was rs to whether the
white citizen should be enfranchised and
clothed with the immunitics OF citizens.
Upon this question we need not tell the
blacks that nearly their whole race were OPP
posed to relieving white men of their dlsa-
blities. In this they committed the great
wrong of denying to others the freedom so
recently conferred upon them-of withhold
ing, contrary to justice and religion, that
mercy which had been shown to them.
80 that, so fur as the contest just over is
concerned, they have no ground of accusa-
ton against the whites but, on the other
hand, upon every ground Of justice ana
fair-dealing, they have to- reproach them
selves.
There Is no obstacle, then, in the way OF
putting an end to this unfortunate division
upon color. The colored men have been
tl,,;, MT hp
rights Of the white man; and even the
question as to his rights is settled. There Is
no question postponed from this conflict,
and the wrong that was III 1t was that done
by the colored man. He cannot maintain
his attitude of alienation from the white
people upon any reasonable ground what
ever. Should he, therefore, continue his
separated condition, it will show an undy-
ing spirit of hostility to the white man.
And where such spirit exists in the bosom
of q community, there cannot be kind feel
ing-cannot be good order-cannot be CO.
operation for the advancement OF mutual
interests-and the general welfare must suf-
fer. In short, this hostility of race displayed
in public affairs must engender hostility in
social economy, war of races, which will
not end until one Of them is conquered OIL
driven out of the State. Which will it bei
We cannot believe that the colored peo'
ole are SO blind as not to see all this. And
the recent defeat which their array upon a
line of color has brought upon them will
relieve them from the shackles imposed
upon them by the leagues and the intoleran1
spirit they suggested.
The white people had the strongest
.round for anger towards the colored man
because he opposed their dearest rights, and
naturally enough, they looked forward te
decided changes in their relations with him
They very reasonably said that they could
rot hope to live in peace with men who as
sailed them in that manner.
But the whites have prevailed. The!
have such victory that they are assured
against any future plottings or schemes fol
their injury. They can afford to be gene
rous They may row consider the histor,
of the freedman-his conduct and his mo
tiyes-how he has been misled and undel
what vile articles ne tell-how, in his con
tding and credulous spirit, he was deludet
bv the cunning men who won his conf
,ence. He knew not what he did. Here i
fruitful ground for charity and forbearance
Then it is the part of generosity, soun'
policy, and charity, to treat the coloret
people with kindness and conciliation. Tha
is the best way to bring them back iron
the stray path and restore the kind rela
tions which are indispensable to good orde
and the mutual welfare Of the races. w
know our people to be forbearing and for
giving. We know they will weigh justl.
the facts and the circumstances of the re
cent strife, and we do not for i momen
doubt that their decision and their polio,
towards the colored people will be gene
rous, wise, and charitable. stE
In this way, we IRE sure harmony be
tween the races will be restored, the preju
dices and distrust Of the coIored people b.
cradicated, and the leagues broken up. Al
terwaids the colored people will like TIL
white men, divide upon questions of publ
policy, and no more 90 apart to themselye
Il III an array upon its very face hostile an.
81 calculated to provoke animosity and discord
M Let there be peace. Let the superior rae
in the hour Of victory prove its high virtue
and strengthen the social cords and domes
tic peace by that kindness aud gentlenes
which are the browning jewels of civil soci
city. -,rg.rr
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