The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-05-28
THE DUTIES OF ELECTION DAY,

l. j
ton Spectator, will decide whether
the people of this State are to be cursed
with the Underwood abomination, call
ed Constitution, as it came from the
hands of the Molungeon Convention,
or whether Is will be modified by hav-
ing the test-oath and DISTINGUISHING
clauses stricken out-whether Walker
or Wells will be our Governor, and
whether proper men will be elected to
represent the State in the Legislature.
This election is as important as any
which has ever been held in this State
its result will determine most mo-
mentous questions. Those who have
the right to vote should allow nothing
to prevent them fiom attending the
polls and casting their ballots on the
day of election, and those who have not
registered heretofore shoHld be sure to
attend to that duty before the day OF
election, and on that day be sure to
vote. Those who will fail in the per-
Torrance OF their duty on that day may
live long, but they will never live long
enough to cease to regret their culpa-
BILE remissness. 1t Will be black day
in the calendar Of their remembrance.
1t will haunt them like an evil spirit,
and its memory will be source OF UNI
ceasing regrets and unremitting pain.
The time is short, and the whole oft
should be devoted to preparations for
the duties OF the day of election. See
that every man shall register and that
all shall vote.
All should vote, of course, for strik-
ing out the test-oath and disfranchis-
ing clauses which will be submitted
separately. There is no apology or ex-
cuse for any one, white or colored, who
will vote to retain those clauses in the
Constitution. Those who will do so
Understandings will thereby proclaim
themselves the enemies of the people,
and they we'll deserve to be treated as
enemies by the people among whom
they live. The number in Augusta of
this kind will be few, ifany
We do not believe that any colorcd
man who understands the effect of such
vote, will vote to retain those clauses.
If he has any sense he will know that
by so doing he will be gaining nothing,
but will be losing the goodwill and
friendship of the people among whom
lie lives, and upon whom he is depen-
dent for employment and support. 1t
is the duty of the whites to explain
their matters fully to the colored vot-
ers, that they may vote understanding
ly. Teach them their duty in the
premises, and then If they vote for such
mighty understandingly, let them suf-
fer the effect OF their inexcusable con-
duct. If they act the part of enemies,
let them be treated as such.
All can unite in voting against the
tcst-oath and DISTINGUISHING clauses, it
matters not how widely their opinions
upon other subjects may differ. And
no complaints should be made against
any who will SO vote, however they
may vote upon the body of the CCnsti-
tuition, whether for its ratification or its
rejection. All who vote against the
clauses submitted to separate votes
should be considered as friends and pa
triots whether they vote for or against
the ratification of the other parts of the
Constitution. Upon the basis of oppo-
sition to the clauses submitted separ-
ately 'slet us have peaee''-u2on that
platform, as narrow as it is, let us all
stand as friends together, however
widely we may differ upon other ques-
tions. This is time for the exercise
of charity, liberality and forbearance'
Let past differences, as far as possible
be forgotten, and let sentiments of con-
Citation and harmony be cherished
Let all unite In the patriotic effort to
save the State from the horrors cOnse-
ouent upon the adoption of the unmodi-
fed Underwood Constitution. The
pressing, overriding duty now is, te
vote against the clauses submitted sep
arately, In this duty none should be
remiss. The performance OF this duty
like the mantle of charity, will hide
many political sins.
We think that all should vote fol
Walker, and that all should do theil
utmost to secure a good Legislature.
The tact that the Constitution, though
modified rs proposed by striking Out
the clauses submitted separately, will
be very Objectionable, furnishes the
strongest reason why we should, II pos
sible, elect the better man for Cover
nor, and elect the best men for the Leg
lslature. The Governor will be invest
ed " it'll the veto power, and can, con
sequently, protect the State against un
just and oppressive legislation on TIN
part of the Legislature. If we have
safe man for Governor, and can secure
good Legislature, we can live unde
the Constitution in its modified form
till we can secure the call of a Conven
ton which will frame better one.
In the meantime see that all registe
and vote. They should vote agains
the test-oath and DISTINGUISHING claus
es, for Walker for Governor, and 10
The best men for the Legislature.
fP The jeff. and Joe Davis plan
tation, thirty miles below Vicks5urg,
leased by An old black man at $4,000
year. He hires 100 hands to work II
Not n white man is to be seen abou
IL. ..1aoo fI,I,n ,uhnIn Manhattan d