Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-11-04
To the Boys in Black.


viii it be inappropriate to talk to your
We want your votes and want the teneft Of
your labor Understand, that to make you
useful we must do all we can to elevate you.
Although our slaves in the past, we have no
desire to re-establish that relation and if we
did, know that there is no power on earth to
accomplish it that it is not only contrary to
the laws of our country, but is also at war
with tie civilization Of the age. We know
the most Of you, were born and raised together,
and are bound to you by association, habit
and attachment. We have two antagonists
to coutend with: one a sickly sentiment
alst, that knows nothing Of your wants and
has no conception Of your characters the
other a politician that has used you in the
past as an instrument to secure power that
enables him to rob both yourselves and your
former masters.
We know that we will carry the State Of
West Virginia by fifteen th'uond,
and are certain that Tilden and Hendricks will
be elected President and Vice President We
would like to increase our majority to twenty
I've thousand, aud would be glad if your ac-
ton at the polls would give the lie to North
ern Radicals when they charge "that we are
your enemies and, if Successful, would de-
priye you of political power"
You know that we desire no such thing
that the most of yen rely on us for the daily
bread that sustains yourselves AMI your little
ones. Then, why not, in this Centennial year,
commence that political determination that
will inevitably result from the election of our
Candidates The County Of Jefferson is the
richest County in the State; she came within
few votes of being the Banner Democratic
County Give US a lift and make US the
richest 10 political as well as material bes-
sings.
Not many moons will pass away until yon
will be proud of this if you do it. You
will fud all the highwaymen that have been
iudiscriminately robbing you and ourselves
hunting for more congenial associations, Al
ter the 4th of next March there will be no
political assessments; prosperity will soon
dawn among us again, and your wives
and your swecthearts aud your children eau
deck themselves in the pure white or the glow
ing red, as the fancy takes them. We will
elect Tilien & Hendricks and take care Of and
protect You in every political and civil right ;
none shall modest or make you afrAil. Come,
now, and aid US to make Old Jefferson the
Pride Of our little Mountain State.
No good man can fail to admire your love
for Lincoln but the Radicals Of the present
day are openly hostile to his avowed policies.
The Democrats Of to-day are struggling to
establish precisely what he intended in his
life time Two hundred Of your votes of the
Radical and on the Democratic ticket will
swell up old Jof'crson's majority to 1900
Give them to US, boys, and the future will
demonstrate the wisdom Of your action; for
as sure as election day comes I'ilden will be
elected President, and ina little while after when
! the beniicence of Democratic rule is under
stood by you there will be many Sam Til
den and Tom Hendricks Of your race trottiug
through our villages and wandering through
our valley.