Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-06
OBJ gap spg; ddloester, froap Muning October 6, 1871.

clared himself ruler of the winds and 'scooper
of the storms" political, and | cannot but feel
even now an involuntary Thrill of admiration
as remember the good order, parliamentary
skill, and controversial talent displayed by the
colored delegates. There was scarcely vestige
left Of old grotesqueness, though much of the
weird earnestness remains. Such gatherings
are not quite as attractive as spectaces and stud
les as formerly, though far more satisfactory to
one able to appreciate the ordered ways of civil
lied life presumeHJoaquin Miller could hard
ly approve, though we may be sure John Stuart
Mill would There seems in some respects,
strange as it may seem, a loss Of breath and gem
erous temper and an increase of intensity and
bitterness. 1t is not so strange, however, when
one considers how all their real nobility of for
giveuess for wrongs that scarcely de-
served forgiveness has only been met
by bitter hatred, obloquy and per-
secutiou. am satisfied that the day has gone
by forever when the old maSterhood, the form
er dominant clasSes-can get control of or
be met in friendly public relations
by those who were formerly their
slaves Still less can they ever get politi-
cal support from among the rising generation of
colored people. There was a time when this
might have been done. Blood would have told
ifa kindly word of recognition had been given.
There is good deal of that southern blood, so
often boosted Of, in negro veins. 1t is too late
for political utilization. The colored people have
seen by bitter experiences that they are hated be-
cause free, that every step forward on their part
has to be fought for, and that to the last, they
will have to stand on guard.
Judging by what | saw in this state conyen-
ton, | am satisfied, too, that their political
progress might be greater if their white assOci-
ates had more desire to aid than to use them.
Republicans are not quite free from that same
pandering to ignorance which marks Tam
many's tactics with the New York celt. The
colored man desires to know the better way. 1t
is doubtful if the freshman does. But in both
cases it is not often you find the men they took
up to be willing 10 risk present popularity in
order to correct misapprehensions arising from
ineXperience, prejudice or ignorance.
AN EXAMPLE
OF this was given during the convention. The
Walker-democracy, having control, were en-
abled to put the county judiciary in the hands
of their own creatures They gave these judges
control over the jury selections. As conse-
quence it is seldom that a coored man can get
on a jury. Ii is, therefore, almost impossible
for him, or even his white fellows of the repub-
lican faith, to obtain justice. A leading dele
gate said to me that if democrat owed him
money, he'd rather lose it than attempt to re-
cover by bringing suit before the local tribu-
mails. A leading republican, chiefly, fear to
ingratate himself with the colored men, whose
leader he is and aims to continue, proposed in
speech that the remedy would be TO have the
power to transfer suits to federal courts, on aft
davits that complainant could not get justice
done in the state courts. 1t mattered nothing
to this politician that such a bill would be I'M
constitutional. The colored people, knowing
they were wronged eagerly embraced the idea.
They were not versed enough in the machinery
of government to know its impracticability,
and, of course, altogether to ill-nformed of the
dangers of such consolidation of powers, to see
that the remedy would be much worse, in the
long run, than the evils of which they COM
planned
In the convention there were many men who
saw these points, but not one urged them with
earnesness, chiefly because they saw the colored
delegates were very much in earnest From what
/ know of the colored people, think it would
be safer to tell them frankly Of such errors in
judgment, than by pandering or keeping silent,
to allow them to act unchecked and find their
mistakes unaided. But the convention was
l. 1. Il,
were quite the equals of their paler associates.
POLITICAL PROSPECTS,
mean republican, of course, arc mending in
Virginia. The party there is fortunate in hav-
ing at the head Of its organization the State
JOURNAL noble and brilliant antslavery pio-
neer of the west, Col. Edward Daniels. He is
man both generous and wise, with broad
charity, a fine intellect, rare experience and ripe
culture. He was formerly state geoogSt of
Wisconsin; was fighting and organizing
friendof Free Kansas; an active resistant of the
slave power always; colonel of the first Wis
consin cavalry till his health broke down;
man full of good works, without passion or
malice, whose ambition is under control, and
whose course is o'dered by principles. His
mind is constructive and comprehensive. Al
ready, though not giving it all the attention
that is needed, the Journal has become
a recognized power. The democracy has no
platform but deuunciaton; while the republic
cans, chiefly under the wise reaching out of the
Journal, have a bold and aggressive policy, as
sailing their antagonists for corruption in office,
excessive taxation, frauds at the ballot box,
oppression by the Judiciary, opposition to and
hindrance of the common schools, antagonism
to emigration, and sustaining a policy which
must hinder not develop Virginian resources.
The republican platform, as well as the oonven-
ton itself, heartily sustains the policy of pro-
lection. | think this fall will show large repub-
lican gains. OBSERVER.