National Republican., 1873-11-18
THE VIRGINIA ELECTION.
LETTER FROM non. ROBERT ". HUGHES.

The Republican Defeat Expinincd-The
"Ncsro suprt macy" scntccrow-Thc
Mean Dodge Of the Democrats In Pre-
tending to spppert Grant Hxpo.cd-
Corrnp,Iouand Fraud triumphant.
VAL vEnpE. November 10, is7s.
NV DEAR SIR: THANK you for your Kind ex-
pressions. We have no reason to be demoral-
lied. We are beaten, but we fought the battle
on principle; and, though overthrown, our cause
cannot be destroyed. Up to my speaking at
Leesburg, on the 2oth October, was In high
confidence OF carrying tho state. But | OBJ
served, after that date, in speaking to the peo-
pie, marked change 10 the popular feeling.
The Conservatives had succeeded at last In get
ting up silly scare about ''ncsro supremacy
and hal the masses In a stampede. They them
selves had been In n bad fright about losing the
state, and had called upon their moneyed fiiends
for help. Aid In money had been literally sup
piled, aud then thorough system OF local can
vassng was set on foot tremendous outcry
raised over the danger OF "negro rulc,r and the
most active steps taken to thoroughly alarm the
popular fears. Under the influence OF this sys-
iematic outcry, and OF thorough local canvass
ing, the popular feeling was changed; and, In
stead Of our conqnering victory, we were over
prised at the vote against us than our aiyersP
| RES are, who are greatly amused at the success
OF the trick which they played npon credulous
people.
No man receives the result with more equa-
nimity than myself I bow with loyal subinis.
sion to the VIII Of the people. They always
| mean to be right; they meant 50 this time, and
though, under the influence Of q iidiculous pane,
| they have voted against me, I concede their
| honesty OF purpose, aud submit loyally and rev.
erently to their verdict. II were TO lose my
| faith in the peoplc-in their patriotism, their
| honesty and their capacity Of right judgment
| upon political qsestions-1 should cease TO have
| any rational politics, and would be. without rud-
| der commas. ntrlft tie of
pol ties, subject TO be driven before every wind
OF expediency.
ASA DEMOCRAT or TuE oLpHs TINE,
I have faith In the people, In the destiny of the
Republic and In the success Of free institutions.
| IL the people at any time, In frenzy OF alarm
| or IN calmer misjudgment, go counter TO the
right, still trust IN them, and, relying upon the
sober secord thought, am ready again to do hat
tie for the right until II triumphs.
In looking back over the field Of the last can
vass, do not see that ] haze anything In my
own course to regret, and cci tainy have hal no
| reason for complain. IN the conduct OF our COM
mittees and working men, who have all given
me faithful aud valuable assistance. Our cause
was prejudiced In part Of the state by some COL
ored man who came out from Washington, ani,
| In addressing his race, complained Of my de-
nunciations OF mixed schools, oblecting TO my
strciures upon legislation seeking to enforce
equality and association OF races by law, and
claimed that his race would no. be satisfied until
the most thorough social and political equality
Of races should be established, or cOuIsc, he
A friend In Washington wrOte me that letters
had been received from colOrel men III the State
complaining of my hostility TO mixed schools,
and my criticisms Of Mr.. Summers civil rights
bill, and saying that II they were published they
would cost me 30 900 colorcd votes In tne State
unless should publish a propitiat0ry carl.
refused to yield, but stood upon my declarations
reiterated everywhere, on those subjects. do not
: know how many colored votes were lost III con
sequence ofmy Ubstinacy.
l am more proud Of my Lynchburg speech
than OF anything | ever did, aud hereafter, ,whet
the Virginia people snail be reproached in his
tory and In politics for their treatment OF tht
slave and OF the freedman, that speech will b,
youched by the true hearts Of our state In re
futstion OF these aspersions. 1t will live In ou
political literature as long as there shall rcmair
! out in honorable contrast with the Isn 6ruia
| proposition OF Mr.. Stuart and sorlid and un
, constitutional demand Of Mr.. Hunter.
7 the campaign, and feel aud know that they vii
, live aud do good to my state long after slIal
have found a nHal home uider her sod.
WE FOUGHT THIS BATTLE
upon the same principles which both TOliIica
parties professcd to support IN 1874. They weI'
! ihe principles OF oar State constitution, now Il
danger OF comolcte overthrow, which was rat
led by the almost unanimous ycte OF tho VIZ
glnla people; They were the princlPss oi in'
They were the principles Of the Cincinnati ant
OF the Philadelphia platforms OF last year.
Our platform OF isI3 contained no more an
Z
both parties espoused In 1872. The pretence tina
7 Northern Republlcanism differs from NIrgtnll
Republicanisln is miserable demogogcry. ther,
being no difference In the principles OF The two
except that in their application larger class OI
coored people get the benefit OF them In Viz.
Rlnla than In any Northern State. No party can
be justified In changing It's principles, for suct
q reason, with climates and localities. The meal
, dodge OF pretending to support General Gran
as Northern Republican, while rejecting III,
party which supports his principles IN Virginia
because those principles enure here to the bench
Of race witch gave him their unanimous HON
age and votes IN isI2, assumes that he Is capable
c of turning his back upon this humble class OF hi
supporters last year, TO court the favor OF thOs,
who reyiled, blacknuarded and opposed hin
$ then. II Is in vain that his slanderers OF las
: year humble themselves into spaniels this yea
TO insult him with their crlnging homage
= Thereby they only disgrace themselves aud GU
( State.
upon our State constitution, by the assurancei
, given by their Governor and Legislature to Con
gress In the session OF 1s6oI0, and by their sup
, port OF the Cincinnati aud fniladelphls plat
forms OF 1872 against reopening the question
race.
That pledge was not oDly violated by the Con
seryatiye party In the canvass Just closed, Ou
the canvass was made to turn upon
TuE QUESTION OF RACE.
see in the rcopenIng, In violation OF solemn
pledges Of this question and In the result OF thI
canvass, the prospect OF codtinned disturbance
and nnIalet; When, When TIE apprec!atiog Of srsa
trrbalce must continue until the rcsistanc,
ceases. Under the influence OF the proscrip'ivt
: and lniolerant spirit now again In the ascendant
In the State the tendency OF cOlored labor L
: leave our community will be strengthened ant
the indispOsiton OF capital, enterprise AMI popu
lation to come IN from o.her States will be con
fined.
IL can scarcely be expected that party whlct
! refuses one year TO stand by platforms ant
pledges made the year before, Will meet courage
ously and disinterestedy the grave Responsible.
ties devolving on II with regard to the State
debt; and we are Ia danger OF witnessing the
substantial reputation OF the State debt, aud
OF incurrng the odum and tho evils. public and
Individual, Incident to public dishonor.
But will not f0rbode evil. j shall hope fol
the best; and have at least the consolation OF
feeling, that II hard times await our people the
fault will not be at our door, nor the respOnsi
, bility upon our shoulders as individuals or as
party.
W mn nil a III.l,II