Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-08-03
Speech Of X. ID. BeckIey.

AT the meeting of the Radical Committee
Of the First District, held at Tappahonnock on
last Tuesday, R. D. Bcckley, Of this place, a
special agent of the Postotice Department took
an active part in advocating the claims OF ). B.
Sener. the present incumbent, for reelection 10
Congress, and 10 opposition to a nomination by
the party. From a report 10 the Tidewater
Index we take the following: r. Buckley
said, the course of the honorable gentleman
had given satisfaction to the people; be had
faithfully and earnestly represented the people
and endeavored to bring the good old State
back TO The status which she once had among
the States. No man could be dissatisfied with
candidate whom the people can support. Ii
has been said you should not give your support
to Mr.. Sener because he voted against the civil
rights bill; this strikes the mind OF colored PEG
pie and Of the white people who opposed 1t;
He (Bcckley) favored the measure as just aud
right and thought it should be passed. not that
he expected to be materially aided by 1t, or the
interests Of his race materially advanced; but
whenever Congress or the Legislature creates
distinctions 1t creates confusion; put az end to
that and the confusion is at end; and instead OF
egislatiug for class, they leglslate tor the
whole. Sener voted against taking up the civil
rights bill because there were other measures
of more importance before Congress and he
went for the man who looks to the good OF the
whole No man felt the necessity Tor the mea-
sure more than he, but because be had not got
everything be wanted he was not gong to turn
his back on his best friends. Wendell Philips
writes to Fred. Douglass that the bill would
surely become law; only be patient. He cared
not for the civil rights bill. but he wanted ma
tive of the State An opportunity is now Of
fered the colored man to prove that the ballot
10 his hands is good thing; to prove by pru-
dence and industry that although the measure
has been defeated, they are willing to wait pa
tieDtly; to prove that the ballot has been useful
to the entire people of this Commonwealth
civil rights coming fast enough. be did not
care about legislation he wanted civil rights
bill in the hearts of the people. he was true
to his State-no man cherished warmer aztec
ton for Virginia. 10 bis veins coursed the
blood of both races, all be had was in the State;
every interest was here, every pulse throbbed
and beat for the old State of Virginia; for here
he proposed to live He loved her mountains;
he loved her fureats, her beautiful rivers; he
loved his State, but loved justice and right
above all other things. There we're some dltt-
cuties attending civil rights. We have here
free schools, which the people are taxed TO sup.
port Would the measure not have destroyed
the school system, aud would it not have, re,
suited to their injury? Who pays the school
tax mainly the property holders. Are We
DOOR as we are at this period prepared to edu
cate our children? He had serenteen and had
no hesitation in saying he was not. What is
best to do The position to take is to prove to
the world that We are good voters and not to
be carried away by unscrupulous men. He de-
sired to cultivate more friendly feeling. Par
taking of the blood OF both he could appeal to
both and say let US have peace DOW. But he
waited something more than words he wanted
actions Something had been said about color
ed men holding position; they should be glad Of
il for it paved the way for their children His
holding an Office should eotitle him to more
consideration at the hands of his race.