The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-29
CALI

NEGRO AFFECTION--NOT POLIT1-
CALI
We frequently hear it said that the
"Yankee" cares nothing about the negro,
while the people of the South have a
strong attachment for him.
We propose giving the substance of a
speech we heard delivered by an old COL
ored man upon this subject, during the
constitutional convention canvass. The
gentleman of whom the colored man
spoke, was a prominent member of our
last Legislature, and at that time candi-
date for the convention. From its charac-
ter, the reader will see, at glance, the
sentiments which exist in the hearts of our
former slaves. proving their affection and
gratitude for those of us who were kind to
them. The man who fails to think kindly
of them, and who feels no emotion when
he remembers their noble conduct during
the war, and the unselfshuess they dis
played, may be said to have heart of
stone, and a nature incapable of appre-
ciating the highest impulses of the Chris
tian.
A Democrat, speaking in favor of the
election of Virginian and against that of
"Yankee," in one of our Western coun-
ties, said: ''These men" (meaning the
"Yankees') care here. only for political
purposes they care nothing for you, while
we (Virginians) who have been raised with
you and know you and your wants, init
mately, are your very best friends" In
answer to this, an old colored man arose,
and said: "You people all know me well ;
you know | have all my live served old
mastess and master faithfully; that when
the war broke out, and Mass George went
off with the army, old mistess called me
and said, tom, you must 60 long with
nay boy George, and if the Yankees kill
him, bring back his body; if they wound
him, nurse and take care of him, until
can get to him. went to the war with
Mass George, and sure huff the 'Yank ees'
shot his arm off when he fell, old Tom
was 'dar, picked him up. and carried him
straight to de- hospital"
81 stood by him night and day, till old
Miss come and 'fotch' him home )" "I' Sc
been wild. him every day since" II love
Mass George and Mass George loves me-,
and if any 'nigger, yankee or white man
don't 'lieve' it, 'dar' him touch him. If
Tom had any neal or money and Mass
George didn't have any, Tom would
divide wild him, but I amt 'gwine' to
vote for him dough- Il ain't.'" an
toll you why | amt too" "Mass George
says the niger shan't vote, and if he go
to the Convention, he 'gwine' to see if he
can't stop it; thst yankee 'dar' says I
shall vote, and 'gemmen' whether right or
wrong, Tom wants to vote, and he 'gwine'
to go for dat yankee"
SO it was with all our colored people
the right to vote was delsied them by the
native; it was conceded By the foreigner,
and "Tom" had the sense 10 recognise in
Mass George the personal, and in the cyan
kee," the political friend.
This is the feeling of our colored people,
with whom most of us have been raised
and 1t is only necessary to foster and cher
ish their kindness to give them their po-
lltIcQl rJnbfa To of nd odu
them, when they will unite with every
good citizen of the State to drive ont that
class of men who are no more admired by
Republicans than by Democrats who ar
real, genuine "carpet-baggers," always
ready to leave their homes, where they are
nothing, to venture into new and unsettled
countries, taking advantage of its condi-
ton to fatteu upon the necessities of the
people. We too, are opposed to ''carpet-
baggers" allowing as TO say what then are,
but will never discriminate against man
who desires to become bona iida citizen
of our State who comes into it, in good
faith, with his family and his means, ready
to share alike its fortunes and misfortunos.
All new territories and governments
have been afflicted with such people. Our
good old State has not been free from the
curse, but she, like the rest have done, has
settled down until most of her population
have become legitimate settlers, while the
tricksters aud adventurers have gone
"'where the woodbiae twineth."
There is real, true, genuine love be-
tween the colored man who was raised
with us and every Virginian of proper
feelings, and when we shall be abIe to rio
yourselves of this damnable political pro.
scription of the colored man, aud those
who have meant nothing but kindpess TO.