New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-01-27
rUr SJTUATION IN VIRGINIA.

We have already submitted Tue coHsiu|i"
tons which seem to us most imperatlvely TO
counsel prompt and frank assent, by kepub-
lcans in and out of Congress, to the overture
formally made to them by large ana re-
spectable portion Of the Conservatives Qate
Rebels) of Virginia These, through an able
and eminent committee, say to us in substance:
" We desire peace, fraternity. and union Oh
efforts to restore the prosperity OF our COM
"mOn country; we desire to efface the bitter
memories of four years of bloody, DESIGNATING
strife hence, while we have strenuonsly OPP
"Dosed. and stin distrust the wisdom ana
" safety of Black Acknowledgement so soon
" after General Emancipation, we are yet WILL
"ing TO join hands with you in comprehen-
" siye settlement and Oblivion of past
&" strife on the platform Of Universal Amnesty
with Impartial Suffrage" 1t seems to us
greatly wise and urgently polite that this
overture should be accepted in the interest OF
all concerned, but especially of the Blacks
1t would place their rights under guaranty
of mutual compact and phghted laith
which could nevermore be shaken. 90
long as their Acknowledgement is but the
work of a party, it IS necessarily subject to all
the contingencies of that party's prosperous or
adverse fortune and this is especially, OOVl-
ouslv true when it is secured by the disfran-
chisement of a portion of the adverse party
The Rebels of Maryland were DISTINGUISHED a
few years since, yet they now rule the State,
and they are likely long to rule it. Had the ke-
publicans of 1S64-5 proclaimed Universal Am
nesty with Impartial Suffrage, the case would
have been bravely altered. Keep the leading
Conservatives of Virginia DISTINGUISHED few
wears by the votes of the BlackS, and turn
of the wheel may bring the former up ana the
latter under. We have no moral right to take
any risk in the premises when we have iair
opportunity to "take bond of Fate"
Again: The Blacks of Virginia are III an I'M
natural, uncomfortable position. Enfranchlsed
rs they are, they are generally poor, imper-
fectly or not at all educated, trained to seryl-
tude, and still socially dependent. Many II not
most of them are tenants at will OF those whom
they are required TO keep disfranchised by their
votes. Now, so long as the Conservatives pro-
posed to disfranchse them, the choice was
simple-Eat or be eaten! But when their
former masters and present landlords and en-
ployers change front and say, 1--WE ont want
" YOU disfranchised-we cOncede you every po-
/" ltical right: will you vote to disfranchlse
=" us Rr-what rational being can imagine that
they can be kept voting solid against those to
whom they always till recently, looked up for
counsel and guidance, and for whom they still
work. 1t is simply impossible that they should
do So For brief season, dlstrust antlpathy,
memories of Slavery and its bitter wrongs and
humiliations, may combine with party discipline
and personal aspiration to keep them voting
IL ID lot hufi will noted
that they take less interest in politics than
formerly, and stay away from the polls; next
Won will find moro and more Of them coming
up to vote with their White employers. lie Is
blind who does not see this; he is mad or cul-
pably intent on some personal end who sees
yet disregards it.
The Blacks of Virginia, as of the entire
South, are already q decided minority. They
will be smaller and smaller minority with
each successive decade. We have not particle
of faith in the hypothesis that they must die out
because free But the less cultivated races rarely
hold their own in intimate contact with the
Caucasian; while the South is certain to be
speedily and largely replenished by immigra-
ton from the North and from Europe. The
Blacks are to-day third of the inhabitants OF
the South; in 1900 they will be less than o
fourth, and so on. They will always be ex-
posed to prejudice, hatred and hostility from tho
lower, bascr Whites it is incumbent on us to
secure them the protection and security which
the compact now profered will afford. We
trust, therefore, that Congress will not hesitate
to accept the Virginia proposition, and to ex-
tend its scope, 80 soon as may be, TO the whole
country.
1t is but natural that those who have been
fighting the Conservatives" at close grip
should repel their present overture. if only be-
cause of its source. Some have their eye on
comfortable posts which they expect to secure
if no change is made in the programme; and
these naturally apprehend that they are not to
be gained by Universal Amnesty. Hence we
are not surprised that large meeting of Re-
publicans, convened in Richmond on the Goth
inst, proceeded to resolve:
l. That the Constitution made by the Convention
which assembled in this city on me so day OF December
and the advancement OF tho material prosperity OF the
State and in with tho injunctions and policy
Of Congress as disclosed by laws and
the charge often and persstenty made ~ our enc
miles, that this instrument was made Tor vindctlye pur
poses OF 10 retar tho prosperity Of tho State to Keep
alive and perPetuate hatrods or that snch viii DO tne
aed and denounced by the Republican party OF Virginia
O. We believe that Congress VIII listen TO ts friends and
made in our proposed Constitution that tho election for
its ratification aud of officers under tho same DO speedily
Ked for the fourth Thursday in May that the election
three days in Richmond two In the cities OF NOT
one day that tho Legislature be required to assemble
80 days after the election and that tho CONSTITUTION when
ratified shall 40 into effect Professionally ana 10 Pe ad
mnistered by tho officers chosen hereunder until Con-
gross shall declare the state entitled TO representation
DO suspended set aside at an earlier period at tho
pleasure OF Congress. 40
The DISTINGUISHING clause OF our constitution reaches
tie Same class and none other that contained In tho
Reconstruction acts OF Congress- aud In regard TO the
"test OATH" which applies 10 ofice holders ana not
voters our Constitution has not gone far Congress-
for the act of July as 1887 requires every
elected 0Utcc-Whotner state