The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1870-11-23
Mr.. ValIandIghsm to the Colored vo
ters-Scuhd Advice.

-
Tho following were Mr.. Vallandig.
hams remarks, addressed, at the Dem
ocratic eel CELEBRATION in Dayton, Ohio,
October II, 1870, to the colored vo-
tiers, of whom quite o number were
present:
And now allow me a word to our
newly made voters of African descent.
I have no apologies to make tonight
for anything in opposition to them
which I may have said in times past
nothing now to take back. My
opinions upon the question Of negro
suffrage and equality remain unchan-
ged. CLotd Applause.1 But you
have in fact, at least, been made CHI
zens and voters, and I recognize the
fact. Some of you speak of me as an
enemy of your ace THIS is not cor
rect. Individually / have been your
friend. have taken you by the hand
when your now white Republican
friends Stunned and cursed you At
my doors some Of you have received
that charity, in yo airs past, which vas
denied you at the hands of your abo-
litio1' friends, so-called. ferries, "that's
SO; we know it," No colored mar
ever asked a personal favor of me for
years past, and was denied ; and -as
well before you Lad suffrage conferred
upon you as new, I would have pro
tected you in court DR. against mob
quite as willingly and earnestly 8 any
other man. BIT my opinions as to
the question OF comforting political
upon you in this country were
honestly entertained and candidly and
strongly expressed. Yet, if you:shall
prove yourselves worthy of these
8 and capable of exercising them
as good citizens, I will then very i
cheerfully, and in a man like man
ner, publicly confess myself mistaken
Your future is in your own hands,
But remember that you@do not hold
the balance of power in this county,
nor in this district. loud cheers. Il
You cannot control things by your
votes. Numbering several hundred
votes here, you are yet rather a source
If weakness than of strength to the
party. And you owe
nothing to that party, except the
mere right to try the experiment of
suffrage. They did not confer it up
n you for your sakes, but for their
'wn as p~artisans and demagogues.
Loud cheers1. They wanted your
'otes to put themselves into Office and
,eep themselves in power. Beyond
his they care nothing for you. tCries
f "thats so; you're right" The
mass of you were personal slaves, or
he descendants of slaves in the South
'efore and during the war. AT the
Ioint of the bayonet they freed you,
My now to make you, if you submit
slaves for their own profit
nd advancement. And now /, who
we you nothing, and to- whom you
we less than nothing politically. warn
GU not to organize as a colored par
Y. Beware of threatening or attempt
ng to make all your own race act
nd vote as a distinct body. If you
o, then be assured that soone or
ater the white race will antagonize
on as white men; and here we are
$ twenty.to one. In a political strug
lie we al overwhelm yen. In
ontest of arms-in. a war of races, if
provoke tive "a crush out and
xterminate you. Wherefore be
rise in time. The Irish do not vote
a a body /; neither do the Germans
or the Americans born ; and be as
ured that a "negro party" will bring
orth a "white mans" party. And
Iot long after will come violence and
loodshed ; and Judge Crane is dead;
nd General Schenck has now neither
NV Office nor house in this city or
where you can find refuge II
Laughter. If you would prove
ourselves worthy to be and remain
~itizens, separate, divide politically
nd otherwise, as other citizens do
yourselves with the commu-
lity in which you live. Refuse to be
hade the slaves and tools of dema
'ogues; and when thus you shall
lave established your fitness. for citi-
enship, nc M will ever attempt to
you of its rights. Remember
hat !, who speak these words. owe
lou nothing, and you owe me nothing
,ut right or wrong, wisely or unwise
y, you have been forced upon us as
~itizens, and l counsel you as SUCH
You may hearken to me or not, just
IS it may please you ; but be assured
hat the tims will n when you will
my, that / counseled You-most wisely