Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-12-10


borne them down are to fe lifted off. FL
nearly len years, the existence of con-
slant apprehension of military or other
interference or repression, from without
has palsied the just self-goyernment Of
! this people; has deranged their labor
! systems, enfeebled their production.
hindered the revival of trade aud com
mercial enterprise, prevented the influx
OF immigration and capital, and subiec.
ted whole communities to the rule OF
the IMPLYING stranger, who has wasted
the fruits Of their labor and eaten mp
their substance. 1t NAV be safely az
firmed that the period Of reconstruction
has visited upon the southern states
greater material losses and INJURIES than
resulted from the preceding four wears
OF war. The most auspicious day, cor
the honor and well being Of the whole
country, will be that in which the great
export producing states are restored
to peace and productive energy, by be-
ing restored to their constitutional
rights and relations.
Looking to the preponderant nuns
bers OF the white race; to their con
stantly argumrntihg relative strength
to their great superiority In experience,
education and enlightenment; to the
truth that intelligence is main support
OF free institutions; we cannot doubt
that the better qualified and Superior
portion of the people can, will and
ought to control and administer the
domestic governments. Hencefortb,
let it be understood of all, that any
organized attempt on the part of the
weaker and relatively diminishing race
70 dominate the domestic. governments,
is the widest chinera OF political in
sanity. Letseach race settle down in
final resignation to the lot to which the
logic OF events has inexo1ally con.
signed it,. When the pernicious inter.
n, ddling which has irritated the relas
lions OF The races snail cease, the weas
ker race will look with gtowing conf.
ience tc us for the protection of their
rights; and their fidelity and services
In the trying periods Of the part, their
dependence and comparative helpless
ness, the demands Of humanity and our
own well being, all impel us to accord
them justice and beneticence with
generous hand. The members Of that
race are engaged in an unequal strugs
gle with poverty and the perilous re-
spousiuilities OF sudden freedom.
Their earnings may suffice to secure a
livelihood for themselves, but they who
were once valuable l2bnrers and pro-
dncers are now contributing no in
crease to the aggregate wealth.
wise craftsmanship will incite them bv
kindness, will rescue them from unthriti
and extravaganza, encourage them to
Increase their possession aud comforts
by the practice OF self denial diligence
and probity, will enlarge their indus
tries, consult their wants, cultivate
their minds. and draw ont their bes,
capacities, 80 that ts'eif liow inert force
shall be made an active ihs,rulnentality,
and welded as e gr> at productive pow
err i'll augmen'isg the commonwealth
and prosperity.
The colore,, mar Is on trial before
the eyes OF saa world It is mainly
tor himself 10 prove IA rare worthy u
its new pollsicsl rela4 ions
In dealing with these questions, we
:ir. told that we cannot afford to do
wrong. We are told it is not safe TO
make singh mistake. Let us reject
the teaching of policy so ignobl- and
marrow. Standing on a far higher po-
litlcal and moral level, let ms do what
we know to be right, for the sake Of
right, yielding to no sickly ephemeral
prejudice at home, and moved neither
ny neuaces or by Establishment from
without.
JAMES J.. KEMI Err