Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-02-26
FRIDAY MORNING FEB. &c, 1859.

to play conspicuous part IN the polltlcs OF
the country One party has grown. into
enormous dimensions at the expense of the
poor African, until attaining the reigns of
power it forced him into an abnormal condi-
ton. At his expense the Union was dis
rupted and soyereignties wrested of their
rights and prerogatiyes and his only friends
placed under the yoke ofoppresslon. When
all this was accomplished and the party which
had arisen on his shoulders were in undis-
turbed possession of the fruits of their pollt-
ical victories, it was the hope Of all that for
time at least the negro would have no place
in the politics of the day, but, that relieved
of this great disturbing cause, there would
be divisions Of parties on questions only OF
great national import. This was indeed
vain hope. The negro as freeman seems
destined. if fanaticism continue ita sway, to
play still more conspicuous part. Scarcely
able to care for themselves and those depen-
dent upon them, they are about to be forced
into position they not only are notquaifed
to6ll, but at which their very instincts revolt.
They are not only tohave controlling voice
in the government of this once proud and
prosperous republic but are to assist in the
enactment and enforcemento Of its laws, posi-
tions which, for the right conduct OF all gov
ernments, requires the ablest and most ex-
nerienced citizens. This even is but step
in the onward progress offanaticism. With
the privilege Of voting and holding Office this
fury of the age can not stop. Its ultimate
sequence is equality in social as well as IN
political aspect. The equalizing theory
must continue to this end. There is no half
vay house this side of that ultimate and IN
ev;tahle result. Those who avow or en-
brace the theories Of Radicalism may fatter
themselves that the negro will, In the future
as in the past, be but stepping stone to place
and power, but we warn them that they Ia
Dor under baneful delusion. They may
stand aghast at the idea Of social equality
but we adnoaish them that it is but the Sc
ouence Of the theories they profess or en-
dorse. Have you, who, for expediency
sake, would accept the dogmas of Radical
ism, counted the costs ? Are you willing
to acknowledge the social as well as the po-
litical equality of all men? If not, pause
and retrace your steps ere it be too late
Return to the stand point Of your forefath-
ers. Be true to the principle of a homo
geneity or prepare to sink with your country
in the maelstrom that has engulfed all mon
grel Republics.
Caucasians alone, have converted Barbar-
ism into Civilization and advanced Civiliza-
ton to Enlightenment, and Caucaslans
alone can maintain the high standard they
have raised. Beware then, ye. who Tor
place, preferment, power or insidlous and
temporary expediency, would hazard an at
tempt to reverse the DEGREES Of Omnipotence.
On Thursday last the Judiciary committee
of the Senate reported bill to provide for
holding an election in Virginia on the rat
i6cation of the Underwood Constitution, on
the fourth Thursday in May, 1869. ltpro-
viaes that the vote shall be taken on the
Constitution as whole and also separate
vote on the Disability and Test-oath clauses
of said Constitution. II
It provides also for the election, at the
same time, of members of the General AS
sembly and all State officers and members of
Congress.
It provides further that if the Constitu-
ton is ratified, the General Assembly shall
meet on the first Tuesday in July 1869, and
if it fails to be ratified, the General Assem-
bly, shall not convene, nor shall any officer
elected Hereunder enter on the discharge of
his duties, and that the Disability and Test
oath clauses shall from part Of the .constitu-
ton if majority Of votes be cast for 'Dis-
qualification" but if a majority be cast
.'Against Disqualification they shall not
constitute part Of the constitution.
This will not at all relieve us from the
other onerous and equally Objectionable
clauses in the Constitution and goes to show
how little the Committee of nine accomplish
ed. r
When Congress acts on the report Of the
judiciary Committee we will publish the re-
suit
Robert Stevens, eplored, has received in
Underwoods Court, at Richmond. 81, 900
damages q from the Richmond, Fredericks-
burg and Potomac Railroad, for refusing
his wife a seat In the Ladies' car, and COM
polling her to ride ina second class car. she
having purchased q first claas ticket. The
company alleged that car I'D" in which
eolorsd persons are assigned seats. was moi
q second class ear. but was expressly fitted
up to accommodate persons Of color only.
that separate car was fitted up for gentle.
men unaeeompanied by ladies &C., but of nc
avail. Underwood SO charged the mixed,
Jury that they brought in the verdict as a.
bove stated. In this charge be went out Of
The way, as usual with him. to heap sp;thet:
ON the people Of Virginia, and especially de-
nounced the citizens of Richmond, charging
that ''rottenncss, drunkenness and corrup-
ton pervaded all classes from the bar even
to the pulpit " ea.. .s.