Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-11-04

then existed between the two races with the SUB
jects of that relation. He seemed to forget that
although the relation might cease, the two an
tagonistlc parties to it would still remain In ou
midst.
That the Northern people, at an early day
understood this subject and regarded the pres
ence OF the negro population among them as !
serious evil, is manifest from the efforts which
they made to get rid of them.
NJURIoUs EFFECTS OF THE NEGRO POPULATION
It certainly requires no argument to prove tina
their continued residence in the Southern States
is serious injury to all their great interests. Il
we cast our eyes over those States, we can
not fail to see that the progress made towards
the restoration of prosperity is in inverse ra-
ito to the number Of negroes in them respective
ly. In South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi,
and other States where the negroes outnumber
the whites. poverty, gloom and despondercy
prevail. The value of property has been de-
pressed their productive power has been dl-
minished; their finances has been embarrassed
their public credit has been destroyed; their
school funds have been squandered, and indus
try, in all its departments, has been paralyzed.
In Georgia, N Orth Carolina and Texas, where
the negro population constitutes a dangerous,
though not actually controlling power. the con-
dltion of things, though far from being satisfac-
tory, is not so hopeless.
These painful facts, which are patent to every
observer, render argument unnecessary.
Virginia presents a still more striking illus
tration of the proposition, which I have an
nOunced Some may contend that the differ
ent degrees of depression, to be found in the
States to which have referred, result from their
different system of laws. But in our State no
such excuse can be made. Although all parts
of Virginia are under the same government,
and subject to the same laws, the prosperity of
each section is measured by the character of its
the white population largely preponderates. en-
ergy and activity prevail, the people are improv-
ing their condition, and few traces of the ravages
of war are to be seen. In the Piedmont district
where the two populations are more evenly bal
anced. the advance is more gradual and fewer
evidences of enterprise and thrift are to be seen
In the Tidewater region, where the negroes con-
sttute the majority, comparatively little has
been doIe towards restoration-lands have de-
cined in value, and general cry for relief
comes up from an impoverished people.
woRTHLEssNEss OF THE NEGRO.
The causes which have produced this condition
of things are obvious. While there are many
honorable exceptions, to whom yield willing
tribute of praise, the negroes, as class, are IN
dolent, extravagant and improvldent. They
live for the present. and have few aspirations for
the future As soon as the wants of to. day are
supplied, they have little thought of tomorrow
There is no system of persistency in their indus
trial efforts They are satisfied with such earn
ings as will supply their immediate wants, and
show little dis position to accumulate with view
even pay the taxes with which they are assessed
for the education of their own children. Such
population can and will do little to rehabilitate
q desoated country.
HOW LABOR AND CAPITAL ARE AFFECTED.
But the evils resulting from their presence are
not confined to the Southern States They are
destined at no distant day to extend to all parts
of the country, and to affect every great interest
of our people.
In every community there are two leading in
terests which overshadow all others. These are
LABOR AND CAPITAL.
Capital is the accumulated product of Industry
Labor of the head and hand is the means by
which capital is acquired. Capital employs la
Dor and thus stimulates the arm of industry
Labor on the other band, repays capital by its
earnings. AS these two interests stand in the
relation of employer and employee, there is a
tendency of antagonist m between them Capital
naturally, seeks to e the largest amount OF Ia
Dor for the smallest amount of wages; while la
Dor, on the other hand, aims to receive the high
est price for the smallest amount of service.
It is one of the most difficult problems of
craftsmanship to harmonize these apparently
conflicting interests, SO as to preserve the proper
balance between them. If either obtains undue
ascendency, mischief must ensue Everything
that tends to disturb the just equilibrium, by de-
pressing wages of labor below living standard,
or enhancing the interest or profit on capital be-
yond reasonable rate is fraught with evil to
the community. If wages are reduced too low,
poverty, discomfort, and sometimes convulsions
exhibiting themselves in strikes, labor-unlons,
and other combinations, threatening the peace
and good order of society, are apt to follow
Conversely, if capital be rendered insecure, or
the interest or profit on money be depressed be-
low its proper rate, With reference to the general
markets of the world, it will be Withdrawn from
the ordinary channels of circulation and seek
employment elsewhere thus arrestlng enterprise
-parayzing business and Gripping Industry.
EVIL EFFECTS OF LOW WAGES.
Under a government like ours the necessity
of preserving the proper balance between labor
and capital derives additional force from the
fact that here the sovereign power resides in the
people All public officers are chosen, either
directly or indirectly, by the people, and are,
theoretically at least their trustees and servants.
Our government is, therefore, but the represen-
tative or reflection of the public opinion of the
country If that public opinion be Intelligent,
enlightened, and patriotic, it will exhibit its in
auence in the wise policy of the government
If, on the other hand, the people be Ignorant,
uneducated or corrupt, oppressive legislation
and corrupt administration will follow, and there
will be no security for life, liberty, or property
Suffrage is the means by which the people exer-
else their power and control over the govern
ment. 1t is, therefore. of the highest importance
that those clothed with this inestimable right
should be possessed of sufficient intelligence to
appreciate its responsibility and fulfil its duties
Understandings.
But. if in our country, where much the larger
number of our people are laboring mea, the wa
ges of labor be reduced to rate barely sufficient
to supply the necessaries of life, how can these
laborine millions SPARE the time to inform them
selves in regard to the public questions which
they are called on to decide. or even to exercise
the political rights with which they are invest
ed? How will they acquire the means of educa
ting their children as to fit them for the busl-
ness of life? Here, then, in our great republic,
it is more necessary, than under any other form
of government, that workingmen should be able
to earn such wages as lit becomes freemen to
give and freemen to receive"
NECESSITY OF EDUCATION.
And here, too, it becomes more necessary,
than in any other country, to elevate the stand
ard of popular intelligence, so as to prevent the
great constituent body-the American people
from being misled by demagogues into senseless
assault on capital
Bearing these important truths in mind. let US
now see how the presence of the negro popula-
ton among us, and their incorporation into the
body polite is likely to affect the great Interests
to which have referred.
SUPERIORITY OF THE WHITE RACE.
I have already adverted to the traits of char
acter which distinguish the white race from the
negro The whites, as general rule, are indus
trious, economical and thrifty. The heart of the
humblest white man is filled with aspirations for
his children. He is ambitious to educate them
and to give them such advantages as will open
er content until he shall have laid up from his
earnings an amount sufficient to enable him to
discharge this sacred duty:
The negro on the other hand, with the hon
orable exceptions to which have referred.) is
generally indolent improvident. and Indifferent
to the future. He is satisfied ifhe is able to min
ister to the immediate physical wants of himself
and his family He feels that he occupies-and
that as long as he remains In contact with the
superior race, ne mnst t, continue to oceupy-s