Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-08-12
Who are Conservatives and Who Radicals.

Who are the Conservatives of Virginia Let
any man who has the slightest doubt as to the
course he should pursue, the slightest hesita-
ton as to the ticket he should support, the
slightest difficulty in determining which side
is the right side, ask himself this question, and
answer it. Are they not the great body of the
white people of the state? Are they not nine in
ten of the farmers, the mechanics the merchants,
the subtantial white men of all vocations In the
Commonwealth Are they not the white natives!
OF Virginia and the men from other States
north Of US, who are working with their heads.
their hands and their hearts, for the revival of
the prosperity; for the fullest development
and utilization OF all the elements of strength
and wealth within the State; for the freest and
fairest education of all the children in the
State for every improvement, every project,
every purpose that can contribute to the en-
hancement and advancement of the material
interests of the State? Are they not the men who
have done for this State what the Radicals
have done for no Southern State under their
control? And now let US ask who are the
Radicals Of Virginia Are they not the ne
groes, all the negroes within the limits of the
Commonwealth, and along with them white
man, or little knot Of white men here and
there? Aud are not those white men, gener-
ally, people who either hold Office under the
Federal government in virtue of their zeal in
the Radical cause, or who are chronically can
dldates for office In counties and districts where
the negro vote is greatly superior in numbers
to the white vote? Are they not of the same
political family that has been so prolific of fair
promises and foul wrongs in some of our sister
States of the South ? Are they not the same
people who would have deprived Of the right
of suffrage and of the right to hold Office, ma
ny OF the best citizens in every county of the
State, if they could have done it, when the new
constitution was submitted for ratification, or
rejection? There are some of them, we know,
who are not In favor of the EXTREMIST excuses
of their party; but they do not constitute the
party nor do they control it. There are some
OF them, we know, who would not, if they could
help it, with their party In power, have the
white children and the colored children taught
in the same school, by the same teacher, sit
ting side by side at the same desk or on the
same bench; but they do not constitute the par
ty, nor do they control it. There are some of
them, we know, who would prefer having white
men rather than negroes, in all the Offices of
the State, provided those white men were none
others than themselves ; but they do not con-
stitute the party; nor do they control it.
The men who make up the great bulk and body
OF the Radical organization in Virginia are the
ignorant negroes; they are the men who hold
the political power Of the party and no white
man representing them can dare do what they
say shall not be done, Or not to do what they
say shall be done.
The great practical question of the day is, wheth-
er or not the local government of Virginia shall
be permitted to pass out of the hands of the
Conservatives who have renewed the life Of the
State, and into the hands Of the Radicals who
would dampen and deaden industry and enter
prise, and crush the hopes Of the best people
here as they have done elsewhere with their
ruinous rule. -Richnaond Enquirer.