The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-05-31
The Immigrant, the Virginian, and the
Black Man.

The Immigrant, the Virginian, and the
Black Man.
The revolution, political and social,
brought upon us demands a change in the
social and industrial economy of this State.
The colorcd man stood as Il prominent
figure in the old dispensation, and he must
be prominent in the new. He has been Il
laborcr, and must be. His own ineNperi-
encc rs free man, and his want of cduca-
ton, render it necessary that in the tranSi-
ton from the old to the new he shall be
shielded and protected by agencies outside
and beyond himself. The northern mans
idea is that this protection is pohtc0t-thc
ballot. This is a vain and foolish thing.
Did the colored man rest OH that his fate is
sealed before he enters upon the new order
of political and social life. Then, what does
it depend upon:-
Ills social relations. He must be sustain
ed in his infancy Of freedom by the hand
that's near him, and the succor that springs
from the genuine source of kindness and
Christian sympathy made efficient, because
ii is in the neiShborhood and may be exert
ballot absolutely nothing, in the cxigency of
ineNperience and incapacity i'll which he
finds himself.
Now, we must regard the colorcd man Just
in this state, rs tender plant in danger OF
being burned by the rays of the new sun
that is rising-as small boulder that is in
danger of being ground into powder between
the larger ones that are commingled in the
drift set in motion by the great revolution.
And it is only the guardianship and care
and heartfelt sympathy of his fcllow-men,
born in the same land with himself, that can
save him from destruction.
This is clear. Now, Il step further There
must come amongst us strangers to embark
with us in tilling the soil and developing ouI
mineral resources. We welcome them
Their industry is enlightened, and then
systems Of mining and manufacturing the
most perfect in the world. At this day
and in this State, more richly endowed will
mineral wealth than any other, they are moi
only needed, but inevitable. Water docs
not seek its level more certainly than vii
these men come to Virginia.
Let us suppose that these men of fore
cast, unflagging energy, and wonderful
skill, were brought here face to face arit'
the colored man, and he acithoM friend
What would be his fate? We know. There
could not be brought together men NOR,
perfect strangers to one another in every re
lation of life. And the worst Of it would be-
that the immigrant would come viii
pre)udices against the black man; for WI
all know that he Is universally regarded al
the North as improvident, sothful, inapt tc
learn, and awkward and mhaudy. Look al
him, without land, without home, without
bread, brought suddenly before men who
think this of him, and upon whom he would
depend for occupation and support! Intht
name of NIL that is reasonable and charia
bic, what would become of him? Even h,
can answer.
Now, then,-who should and would shcl
ter him then but his old master-thosc Kind
hearts that kno,o han. and feel for hin,
they can protect him from the cold and
rigid winds from the Sorth-thcy are the
agents for tempering the winds to the shorI
iambS-they will support him on the mar,
things; and but for them he would rapidly
SINK into extremist wretchedness, and
hhaiiy ariit away and perish.
mere, then, we have the certain process,
u inc now progressing revolution the new.
corners ana their mission, aud the prescn,
population with their part in the drama
, ,Sa sp, The native virgnian soften,
the severity OF the violent transition 70 FL,
Otherwise defenceless descendant of ar,ina
lie introduces him, as it were, to the ney,
actors in the drama, and facilitates his edp
cation to the new and trying duties befor,
him. The white Virginian, himself endowed
with certain high virtues, without which n,
State can be great, holds his position, and
may be said to cooperate with the enter.
prising stranger and the late slave in com.
oihlng all the powers of the State for the
Sfandcst development and success
anu now, then, how is this to be done in