The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-03-13

II |
may separate the people into classes ac-
cording to its own standards Of merit, de-
termine what classes arc worthy or un-
worthy OF self-goyernment, and particu-
larly DISTINGUISHES whomsoever it will.
Such an exercise of despotic discretion and
power would not only be abhorrent to
the vital principles OF free government but
would establish a precedent fraught with
infinite dangers. If, in the political muta-
tons Of the future, those who consider
virtually prescribed by such
measure, should come into the control Of
the government, they might, in the eXer-
else of the same arbitrary discretion, de-
termine virtue and intelligence to reside
only within their own party or race ord
color, and following and extending the eX.
ample, now sought to be established,
might commit to their own paitisans the
government of, not one, but many or all
the cities and towns and even counties OF
the commonwealth. Such precedents as
cribe unlimited power to the legislature, |
and assume that it may subvert the princi-
Piles Of liberty at will, They arc |
"bloody instructions, which, being taught, |
return to plague the INVENTOR There |
can be no security for liberty but in an
immovable adherence to fundamental prin- |
ciples. Applying the words Of one Of the |
ablest political writers, Of any age, ''let
me exhort and conjure you never to suffer
an invasion of your political constitution,
however minute the instance may appear
to pass by without determined preserving
resistance. One precedent creates another.
What yesterday was fact, to-day is doe
trine."
In all legislation it is necessary to be
mindful of the fact that the two races are
now so unalterah'y Incorporated together
in the body polite, that no discrimination
can be made. directly or remotely against
either, without importing the rights and
the peace Of both, or without infringing
organic law. In my recent inaugural mes.
sage, the following words were addressed
to the General Assembly:
"One patriotic aim, controlling our
counsels and impelling us to avoid the ex-,
ample of extremists of whatever sec
ton or class. must always he.to establish
and perpetuate relations Of cordial
cooperation and good will between the
races, and this is to be accomplished not
merely by distributing equal burdens and
benefits to each, but by promoting such
connections of kindness, confidence and
interest between them as will, without i'm
pairing or touching the social independence
of either, enlist each in increasing the
prosperity of the other, and both in adj
vancing common veal.
We are afforded golden opportunity for
settling forever the internal jcalousles and
dissensons which have hindered our ma
terial progress. and Tor completing
the pacifcation of all the elements
of the body polite. Ii devolyes
upon the white race now to. consummatc
such settlement and pacilication. In view
of their acknowledged superiority in educa :
ton and intelligence as well as in numbers
their dominance in every department. of
the public 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 aG-
venturers might, by fomentng discard
between the races, distract the peace and
Ietard the progress Of the state, or upon
which any federal legislation or interyen-
ton whatever might be invoked to the IN
evitable disturbance Of internal tran
guilty. Non-residents, whatever their claim
to eminence, ability or philanthropy, can
never understand the character or Cir
cumstances, or wisely administer to the
wants of our colored population. Our
selves and no others are qualified to per-
form the task assigned US by
Providence. II not restrained and
; thwarted by superior power, we will per-
form it resolutely and effectually by pro-
, noting the best interests of both races.
, We intend to perform it by scrupnlously
, guarding the newly acquired rights of thC
colored man, by atfording him liberal faci'
, tiles for education, and melting him to use
, them; by developing his best qualities an(
, capacities, and interesting him in the pre-
: servation Of order and the enforcement o
: Justice; by shielding him against devices
{ of the vicious and thriftless by habitually
according him the kindness, iorbearanc,
! and sympathy which his comparative
: dependence and weakness invite, ant
by cultivating such relations Of actiy'
: cooperation and mutual trust and com
= mon interest between the races as vii
t combine both in recovering the genera
: prosperity, and make each an indispensa
{ BILE fundamentally for, that end. "
2 These sentiments are irreconcilab
! Will lue PROVISIONS dltt teiutuCie9 VI VA
: bill ito provide charter for the city O
: Petersburg" Ample assurances cxs
: that they have received the sanction Of tn
y people of all classes and their representa-
!. tives. They are my deliberate sentiments
. and will not be sepudiated by my lutur
= action.
1t is not doubted that the people of Ps
j. tersburg are suffering from disagreement
l. or that incapable men are to be fouh
IS among their city officials; butt is believe
i that other and appropriate correctlves ca
|. be devised for the existing evils. 1t is re
g specially suggested that amendments {
!, the charter of that city may be frame
1t which would effectually confne its taxation
le expenditures and debt within proper limits
q and the question is submitted, as worth
). of consideration, whether or not q genera
e law may be applied to all cities and town
d which would prescribe such rules and test
is as to insure integrity and efficiency on tn
I. part Of all their officials. 1t is neyertht
n less submitted that the rejection Of tn
It pending bill is necessary to the best ii
# terests of Petersburg for the enforce
h ment of such measure would entail end
n less local animosities and troubles whic
v would rend the vitals of that city. 1t i
e Inferred that many OF the most importar
l. features of the bill were but hastily cor
# sidered bv the General Assembly. an