The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-08-11
Address OF the Co1ored Conservative
Republican Club Of Richmond.
o the Colored Voters Of Virginia:

Republican Club Of Richmond.
To the Colored Voters Of Virginia:
ow-citizens, We have just passed
through m important crisis in Virginia
one in which our very political life, as a
race, was inyolved-and now, we find our
cause has been crowned with triumph. Not
only have we been declared free American
citizens, with all the rights to enjoy 'life,
liberty, and the pursuit OF happiness
which the revolution of '76 secured to our
white brethren, by the voice Of the nation,
but we have those inalienable rights uotun-
tarily guaranteed by the unanimous voice
Of the natiue Whites, whom we had been
taught to believe desired our disfranchise-
ment and sought our reinstatement. Have
we not reason, then, to rejoice and be ex-
ceeding glad that the God of Israel has been
our God of deliyerance, AID that he has
given us as allies that more powerful race,
(the native whites) whose lands We occupy,
and through whose instrumentality we are
being afforded the means of providing for
our families, of educating our children, of
acquiring intelligence and responsibility,
and of worshipping that God whose hand of
deliverance is so clearly discernable in our
giant strides to prosperity and happiness
1t would be q work of supererogation to
review the events of the past ten years, and
recount the hopes and fears that alternately
filled the hearts of the thoughtful and
prayerful of our race. Nor need we do
more than briefly allude to the history of
the late exciting political campaign, in
which our future destiny was so deeply in
volved. 1t is enough that truth and justice
triumphed over selfshncss and wrong !;
that whilst our own liberties were forever
secured, the shackles of political slavery
were knocked from the hands of our white
friends and brethren; and that now Vir-
ginia stands redeemed, regenerated, and
disenthralled," from political despotism,
her proud banner bearing upon its ample
folds the glorious motto, Equality to all
men, regardless of race or color or previous
condition." with her helm of State in the
hands of an executive officer whose stout
heart, strong arms, and clear head, are
ample guarantees of an honest observance
and enforcement Of our constitution and
laws.
What, then, is our duty at this time
Should we continue morose, and ill-natured,
and suspicious, and jealous, because the
majority of our race failed in the late cam
paign to elect as Governor the man of their
choice? We're men or principles the great
prize for which they contended? If men
merely, We see no room for further COM
plaint, the victors being thorough Republi-
cans, and comparing favorably with the
vanquished in all the essentials of philan
thropy, craftsmanship, and patriotism. If
principles, then we are assured by the
chairman of the Republican State Central
Committee, in q letter dated July q, 1869,
to the chairman of the True Republican
Executive Committee that the difference
between the two committees was only GS to
men.
A Republican State ticket having been
elected on thorough Republican platform,
thus fully endorsing Republican principles,
it becomes our duty as good citizens to give
il our cordial support. Let us prepare at
once to do so in good faith by organizing
vernon Walker, thus strengthening his
hands in carrying out in letter and spirit
the reconstruction acts of Congress and the
policy Of the President so far as they re-
late to Virginia. Let us Danish suspicion
and doubt from our minds, and cordially
grasping the friendly hand of our white
brethren, 80 magnanimously extended, emu
late their charity, and endeavor to rival
them in industry, in enterprise, and IN
thrift. Let us, by Christian virtue, prove
to the world that we are worthy the bless
ings which God, in his wisdom and good
ness, has showered upon us. Let us, by in
dustry, economy, and sobriety, acquire
homesteads for our families. Let us edu-
cate our children in honest industry. Let
us cultivate brotherly love among all
classes. Let us strive to deserve the conf
dence of our fellow-men. And when We
have done these we shall be respected and
appreciated, and G cd will bless us as a race.
Virginia is our home. With vast stores
of mineral and manufacturing wealth yet
undeveloped, she has the natural elements
for becoming foremost in the sisterhood Of
States. By industry and labor this dor
mant greatness must be aroused to active
life.. Let us perform our part, and the day
is not distant when we shall see the colored
man vieing with the white one in State en-
terprises, in schemes of education, IN re-
spectability, and in moral worth. Then,
indeed, will old Virginia become new Vir-
ginia. Then will her voice be heard as a
power in the nation. Then will her waste
places bloom and blossom as the rose"
Then will her vast water power become
vocal with the perpetual hum of machinery.
Then will her rivers and bay become white
with the sails of every nation. Then will
her steam-horses make musical the hills
and valleys that lie between the James and
Ohio rivers, as they speed along their iron
tracks, dragging after them the immense
treasures of East and West. And then will
our people be united, contented, prosperous,
and happy.
We invite our colored friends, then, to let
the dead past be buried and forgotten, and
to look forward with hopeful eyes to the
bright future that awaits Virginia if all her
children do their duty. "United, we stand ;
divided, we fall.n One destiny awaits her
people-one interest impels them onward.
Her capital and her labor are handmaidens
more closely allied than the Siamese twins.
10 separate them is to destroy both. To
benefit one is to benefit both. Let us, then,
in all sections of the State, organize True
Republican Clubs as auxiliary to the Cen
tral Club at Richmond. Let us resolve to
cultivate good feelings with all classes, and
thus to heal over the wounds of the past.
Let us give our undivided efforts to the i'm
provement of our State and our people, and
thus secure that lasting peace for which our
noble President, and Governor, and every
True Republican, most sincerely pray.
All papers in the city and State are re-
quested to copy this.
ISAAC Fl. HATCHER,
r. c. HoBsoS,
JOSEPH LOUIS,
WILSON WINFREE,
JOHN COOLEY,