The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-03-13

iuncture be applied TO q CITY lu tWnich GU.
ored men compose majority OF its SUI
fraeans. In view Of the Fundamental condi'
tlons on which Virginia stands az member
rof the Federal Union, in view OF our OWE
solemn and sworn recognition OF the poltl'
cal. equality before the law Of all men
irrespectiye of ruce, color, or previous
condition, the proposed measure, IL en-
acted. could not fail to subject US to DIS
astrous mlsconstruction ut home and abroad;
It would root out the growing good and
confidence now daily developing between
the races, and plant instead the SEEDS OF
fresh irritation and strife; 1t would renew
and intensity the race agitations of the past
which are being happily settled; It Would
present Virginia to the world as being torn
hr intestine feuds of an apparently inter.
minabIc character it would discourage and
postpone, if not repel, the approach of the
immigration and capital to which our most
ardent hopes are directed; and, more to be
deplored than all, it would sound provo
cation to Federal interference in our domestic
affairs.
IF it is argued, as is reported, that ma
ioritv of the voters of Petersburg Is com
posed of men who are ignorant and unnt 10
rule. and that it is q duty to Withdraw tne
government of that city from us ignorance
and vice and entrust it to its virtue anu ln'
IelIieence, let it be remembered such a pro-
nosition assumes that the Legislature mas ah
arbitrary discretion, by which II may sepa-
rate the people into classes according 10 It's
own standards of merit, deterIllhe VIVA.
classes are worthy or unworthy Oh sell
government, and practically dlslranchise
whomsoever it will. Such an exercise OF
desnotic discretion and power would not
only be abborrent to the vital principles OF
free government. but would establish pre-
cedent fraught with infinite dangers. If in
the political mutations OF the future those
who consider themselves virtually prescribed
by such a measure should come into the con-
troll of the government they might, in the
exercise Of the same arbitrary discretion, de-
termine virtue and intelligence to reside only
within their own party, or race, or color,
and following and extending the example
now sought to be established, might CON-
NIT to their own partisans the governmt nj
of not one, but many or all of the cities and
towns, and even counties, of the Common.
wealth. Such precedents ascribe unlimited
power to the Legislature, and assume that it
may subvert the principles of liberty at will.
They are "bloody instructions, which, being
taught, return to plague theinventor." There
can he no security for liberty but in an immoy-
able adherence to fundamental principles.
Applying the words of one Of the ablest po-
litical writers, of any age, "let me exhort
and copjure you never to suffer an invasion
of your political Constitution, however mi
mute the instance may appear, 10 pass by with
out determined, perseTerins resistance.
One precedent creates another; what yes
terday was fact, to-day is doctrine" In all
legislation 1t is necessary ID be mindful OF
the fact that the two races are now go un-
alterably Incorporated together in the body
polite that no discrimination can be made
directly or remotely against either without
imperiling the rights and the peace Of both,
or without infringing organic law. In my
recent inaugural message the following words
were addressed to the General Assembly:
lone patriotic aim controlling our counsels
and in impelling US 10 avoid the example OF
extremists of W whatever section or class must
always be to establish and perpetuato rea-
tions Of cordial cooperation and goodwill
between the races; and this is to be accom-
plished not merely by distributing equal
burthens and benefits to each, but by pro-
noting such connections of kindness, con-
fidence, and interest between them as will,
without impairing or touching the social in
of either, enlist each in increas-
ing the prosperity of the other, and both in
advancing common veal. We are
afforded a golden opportunity for settling for
ever the internal jealousies and discussions
which have hindered our material progress,
and for completing the paciication ofall the
elements of the body polite. Itdevolves upon
the white race now to consummate such
settlement and pacifcation. In view Of
their acknowledged superiority in education
and intelligence, rs well as in numbers, their
dominance in every department of the pub
lie service, their ownership Of the great mass
Of taxable property, it would bring lasting
opprobrium upon them If, while local self
government continues unimpaired, they
should permit the existence Of any pretext
upon which adventures might, by fomenting
iiscord between the races, distract the peace
and retard the progress of the State. or upon
which any Federal legislation or Intervention
whatever might be invoked to the inevitable
disturbance OF internal tranquility.
Non-residents, whatever their claims to
eminence, ability, or philanthropy, can
never understand the character and cir.
cumstances or wisely administer to the
wants of our colored population. Our
perform the task assigned us by Pro-
If not restrained and thwarted by
superior powers, we will perform it reso.
utely and etectually by promoting the best
interests of both races. We intend to per-
form it by scrupulously guarding the newly
acquired rights of the colored man; by Of
tording him liberal facilities for education
and melting him to use them; by developing
bis best qualities and capacities and interest
ing him in the preservation of order and
the enforcement of justice by shielding
him against devices of the vicious and
thriftless; by habitualIy according him
the kindness, forbearance, and sympa-
thy which his comparative dependence and
weakness invite; and by cultivatipg such
relations of active cooperation and mutual
trust and common interest between the
races Us will combine both in recovering the
general prosperity and make each an indis-
pensable fundamentally for that end"
These sentiments are irreconcilable with
the provisions and tendencies Of the "bi!l to
provide charter for the city of Peters
burg" Ample assurances exist that they
have received the sanction of the people Of
all classes and their representatives. They
are my deliberate sentiments, and will not be
repudiated by my future action.
1t is not doubted that the people of Peters.
burg are suffering from mi>gcvernment, or
that incompetent men are to be found among
their city officials; but 1t Is believed that
other and appropriate correctives can be de-
yised for the existing evils. 1t is respect
fully suggested that amendments of the
charter of that city may be framed which
would efectually confine its taxation, ex.
penditures, and debt within proper limits;
- ,bn Question Ia s,,hfnittad 40 uorIhv of