The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-10-30

drayman with one horse, and the WIDOW
with one cow we're taxed by Law, while thu
planter with one hundred slaves under twelve
years of age, worth from three to five hun.
dred dollars each were entirely exempt! y
Such was Conservative justice and "equallza
ton" of taxes before the war. Az MIR. Ken
per sustained, if he did not frame, this law,
perhaps he can explain why the rich planter
was exempt, while the poor man and thu
widow were compelled to 'call at the captain {
Office and settle
We now come to the most important OF all
subjects, that is a liberal system OF educa-
ton. A question Of far more Importance
than constructing railroads and canals. How
men, who believe that education is essentla
to good citizenship, and the reading OF the
bible essential to eternal salvation, could will
fully and persistently neglect to provide fol
the poor mans child is beyond comprehen-
sion. It is notorious fact that Gen; Eem'
per, and his legislative associates appropfla-
ted annually out Of the State funds about
S35 900 to educate the rich mans sons not
only from Virginia, but from ether states, and
at the same time turned deaf ear to all pc
tltions to establish schools for the benefit 81
the poor MANSION and daughters! We repeat
is is notorious fact, that the legislature, in
its august wisdom, appropriated about 80, wv
to be paid annually to the University of Vir-
giuia, and the Military Institute, but not a
dollar for free schools yet Gen. Kemper ex-
poets to be elected by the votes Of the fathers
and sons whom he treated on an educational
standpoint, with no more respect than was
extended to slaves and the cattle Of the ia
vorite planter.
Notwithstanding all this, whica can be
proved by the records Of the State, these very
same fathers and sons, go to Conservative
meetings, and listen with admiration to Gen.
Kempers description of 'RadicaP love for the
negro, when it can be demonstrated as clear
as the oon-day sun, that the leaders and
managers of the Conservative party, Of which
Gen. Kemper is now the standard bearer,
looked upon the negro and respected the
slave ten times, yes twenty times more than
the poor white man, mechanic or laborer.-
A man, with this array Of facts and i'll treat
ment before him, that can so far forget the
great injustice; that has so little respect for
himself and children, as to get down on
his knees to lick the hands of his oppressors
by voting them into Office, is disgrace to
the white race, and not fit to live in free
county
gg- The aristocratic Legislators, and the
arstoeratic churches of Virginia had very
peculiar and inconsistent ideas Of educating
the whites and the blacks. The Conserva-
tive lawmakers provided literally for the
sons of the rich who did not need, or In any
way entitled to assistance; and the churches
contributed tens Of thousands Of dollars to
send missionaries. bibles, books, to buila
churshes and schools in Afriea-yet, if per-
chance that African found his way to Vlr-
GINA, and attempted to read the same bible,
the same books, or detected using the same
means to gain instruction, and prepare him.
self for more useful life here, and eternal
life with his God and creator, he was adj
Judyed guilty Of a crime, and punished eoith
stripes !! and the same service performed
here by the same white missionary subjected
hi n 70 six mouths imprisonment =! (See
Code of Va 1869 This is a clear and truth
full sample Of Gen. Kempers regard for the
body and soul of the roor man. A legislator,
church, 9 people composed of Hottentots
could not have promulgated and proclaimed
such batch Of inconsist enoy and many as
can be found in the Code Of Virginia up to
1865 Well might the intelligent Dutchman
exclaim Mine got, what counthry-w
a PEBBLES p
Now let US bring forward another bit Of
history which can be proved by the recorda
on file at Richmond. which will touch the
pride the self-respect of every private soldier
who served, toiled, bled, and endured every
acy. It is a notorious fact that the Conserv-
ative law makers 10 forming the army regu-
Iation fixed the pay Of the worthy, brave, and
patriotic private, who faced dangers end
death in every form. the pittance Of eleven
dollars per month, whilethe slave owner, was
allowed thirty dollars for every negro sent te
work 10 the trenches, an easy and secure
position, and full value Tor the said slave, il
killed or manned in the service. This is &
specimen Of the 'white mans party,' love and
generosity to their fighting material.
Now read what Mr.. Greeley says about
tn poor whites how they were educated
courted and fattered by the aristocracy. II
will be remembered that Mr.. Greeley in the
summer Of 1871, visited all the Southern
States from Virginia to Texas. The follow
ing is au extract from one of his letters ,datec
Memphis. June 81, 1871:
II learn with great satisfaction that there
is Seeded Improvement manifested among
the poor whites These formed under slave
ry, the most hopeless class in the South
Courted by the aristocracy for their votes
fattered with their rank as members of III,
domipent caste, allowed to build their shan
ties on the outskirts Of she great plantations
and TO breed and train dogs to hunt runa
way slaves iu the swamps and dense forests
they grew up unlettered aud irreligious, hun
ted and fishod half their time, grew patel
of corn OF suferaoce, had pig running i,
the woods, and lived thriftess, aimless
worthless life. They were far more fanatica
in their devotions TO slavery than the slave
holders, who seldom settled theig hands will
the mobbing of an Aboiitonrisst, since tn
poor whites we're too ready to take the jol
off their hands"
We give this extract from this letter Of Mr.
Greeley, Mr. Kemper's fuvorite candidate 70
the presidency, to prove that the only us
the Conservative nabobs had for the BOO
whites was to secure their votes and do Chef
low and degraded work, and the more unlet
tered and :irreligious they kept them tn