Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-05-09
Gov. Kemper and the C0lored Race

The colored members of The General Assem-
bly, Of Virginia, Including leading colored ciii-
zens Of Richmond and other portions Of the
State. called on Governor Kempr on Friday
morning, after the adjournment of the Legis-
iature, and were courieously received Mr..
Syphax addressed the Governor on behalf Of
the delegation. saying
The col'red members would not leave the
capitol without paying the respect due 20 the
Governor Of the State. To doing So he added,
we confidently express the hope that your adj
minis,ution IN the future may prove what you
have shown IN the past-your devotion 90 The
true glory of Virginia and the true interests Of
all the people, without reference % color or
condition. Tn taking leave Of You we invose
the blessing Of Almighty God upon our COM
monwealth aud Governor.
Governor Kemper replied at considerable
length to this address. Prefacins his remarks
by saying that be was trying 90 do his duty
according to the constitution aud laws with
impariiality. lie then gave some excellent
advice to The colcred Senator and Delegates,
telling them that they must work out their
salvation with their own hands. lie added
Education aud intelligence and character
and property are DO free gifts. They must be
worked ior The government can't make this
experiment q success. Other people cant
make you worthy % liberty. Aou now have
q fair chance. aud iu the future You will be
measured uy what you DO fv yourselves. You
can never succeed except by making up your
minds now aud ior all time 90 lead lives ut So
briefly. h1ursty, industry, Iuslhy. courtesy
by prlctic.ns the Clr.,,,1n virtues towards all
men. by DOING unto others MS YOU would that
others should Do unto YOU u you were 10 their
place and they in yours,
d" Lee; each race stand up Or the interests and
rights OF the other aud both 10 you think
YOU haven't got all you are entitled to don't 20
outside % claim 20. Come here o. tlis govern
neut and De-, MS confer about your claims
You will be fairly heard. 10 you are claiming
anything you ough. 90 have, you'll, get 70. Il
you are claiming anything that Is wrong, fair
hearing VIII satisfy you t Is wrong and you
will abandon 10. Let us settle our own bu>i-
ness here ar home and not seek any outside In
tcrmcdjioc iu orr domestic affairs. Let no
man and mo- race try O. interfere with the So
cial independence ot the other. Any govern
ment which does that or permits that Is rs ty-
raaical as 10 10 dictated What We should wear
or What we should eat.
The reply Of the Governor characterized by
kindness, manliness and good sense, is said to
have been received by the delegation with ap-
prevail Il is TO be hoped that they will urge
its words Of wisdom upon their colorcd c3nstit-
uenis. Being leaders Of their race, by virtue
Of superior intelligence and energy, they have
the powerto sivea wider scope aud influence to
Governor Kcmper's admonitious than they
could otherwise command Wha, be said is
worthy the attention Of the eolored people Of
the South generally. Only by industrious and
yirtuous habits can they elevate their race. aud
only by each race standing mp for the interests
Of the other and Of both can The happiness
and welfare Of an be p57mo,ed.-Baltmors
Sun. 5h.