The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-09-05
POLITICS IN PETERSBURG.


People-Friends and Foes OF the
Government-Proposed constitutional
Notifications.
PETERSBURG, Sept 3, 1874.
write from the city which occupied SO large
share OF public attention during the period OF the
great rebellion. The ruts OF the artillery wheels
have long since been Oblterated, but the old ruts
of political thought and public policy OF ante-
bellum days are still strikingly apparent.
TBR CONGRESSIONAL CONTEST
now going on is exciting. Nominations In all the
districts Of the State have not been made. 1t is
OF course too early to predict with certainty re-
Suits Platt in the Second district, VIII be fought
desperately; but with q fair count his election is
assured.
Sener, in the First district Is making gallant
fight against Beverly Douglass, the conservative
nominee, with chances apparently In his favor
But Douglass is powerful before the masses. His
arguments in tone, temper and matter would have
done credit to his cause in 1851.
In the Third or Richmond district Ex-Governor
walker, the conservative nominee, is IN the field.
His opponent is not yet nominated. The cOnscr-
vative Richmond Bar Is nearly unanimous IN posi-
tive indifference to his election.
In the Fourth district no nominations have as
vet been made. StOwell will be renomnated, and
the conservatives, despairng OF success, will sup
port Porter Independent republican. At least this
is the present intention.
The outlook, think, justices the prediction that
the First Second Third, Fourth and Filth districts
Will elect republican representatives
HATRED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
is q cardinal conservative sentiment here. 1t fur
nishes the exOrdium and peroration Of every
speech. The balance Of the speeches are alter
mated betweeen "cussing" Yankees, negroes and
carpet-baggers large majority Of the conserva-
tive party realize that this Is neither true policy
for the party nor beneficial to the State; but an
aggressive minority, OF whom TOOmbs Is a fair rep
resentatIve the South, by threats OF social and
business ostraclsm, manage to keep the party in
line. Those who realize the splendid resources OF
the State. the great need OF immigration and cap
ltal to diversity our Industries, are practically sup
pressed by passionate appeals in favor OF those
who stood by us III 1S61-62-63 and "a. Whether
these teachings sooner or later will not produce
revolution anu boodshed l leave TO others to de-
Many of the boys in blue in the "onpleasaut'
days OF 1S64-65, will remember the three story
bacco manuiactory. The number OF hands en-
ployed IN this industry Is estimated at about two
Thousand men, women ana children.
There are seven cotton mills IN and around the
city, but some OF them are not now running.
THE C0L0RED PEOPLE
are the labOrers here. They constitute the basis
Of the little prosperity that We ENJOY. They are
the producers and the w0rkmen in factories, house
servants, cooks, washerwomen. and, IN TACT, the
great motive power OF the city. In this city Of
10000 inhabitants large majority are c0ored.
They have to very great extent since the war,
from their hard earnings, saved little money and
with it bought homes, uEtll now. i is said, there
As a political element the colored race is by no
means failure. North and South, believe
realize the value Of ntegence in our fspum6llcsn
lngton and other early writer's on our system OF
government placed virtue ahead OF intelligence.
! The cOOreu race, however detective IN other re-
spects, have at least one virtue par excellence IN
rN FRIENDs OF THE GOVERNMENT.
TEN, human rights as enunciated IN the Declare
IL, cnrA ~ find fnn tn
colored voter. II the Northern citizen believes
:nat there IS any hatred in the Virginia negro to
loves loves the hated .:carpet-bagger'' because
e is oe strong ne eas es
blood relations are frequently the household OF his
old master. and ne leels tender regard for them;
but the government that lifted him from chattel
to a human being he venerates. His cOuntrys nag
Is the emblem of his liberty, and he yields to 1t u
worship approaching idOatry. Strong as are his
ties Tor his Old master and his domestic relations
he thinks too keeny and ieels too intensely the
surrender his support to those vino boldly and
wantonly oppose both. When a candidate is nom-
for Is "a, and MS eaang virtue i Is
as Confederate soldier made the claim for
SURFACES, do you wonder that the colored man
withhOlds from him his voter He realizes too,
that he Is only reluctantly recognized. On sus-
pcion or for slight onences ne Is brought before
chain gangs, wnen Tor like offences MS white fellow
citizen goes "ScOt lree."
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
At the approaching election amendments to the
constitution are TO be submitted to the people.
Our State constitution ID modelled from that Of
New YORK. Many OF the terms from your con-
sutution. Such are the county system and the
ONCE and duties or Supervisor. IT Is urged that
the latter term Is q northern importation and has
no business here, and tits proposed by the Legis-
lature to change 1t and hereafter to call the onice
OF Supervisor commissioner of Revenue" and
the word ''township' is 70 be changed to "Magls-
terial distrlctn and all other Yankee terms to
be expurgated. This is only sample OF the
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mother OF States and statesmen.