The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-10-05
The Colored Vote.

The appeals that are now being made TO
the colored people of Virginia by the deup-
cratic newspapers, should ctfectually stop
the mouths of the public speakers OF that
party against the Republican party because
of the identity Herewith Of most of the col
ored voters of the State. 1t is natural that
the colorcd man should vote the Republican
ticket. It was that party that consnmmated
his freedom-that invested Inn with the
rights OF citizenship, and has concerned it.
self in his intellectual and moral advance
ment. The history OF the Democratic party
Ilas been but an cmbittered warfare upon
these results. Now, however. that they
find negro citizenship all iIreversiblc fact,
they come forth to plead for his vote and
court his political utilization. How sincere
this is, even the most ignorant OF the colored
people can determine. They know, as if by
cratic party with the supreme control OF the
power affecting legislation upon national
questions, for were such disaster to befalt
the country rs Democratic supremacy i'll all
the departments OF the national government,
it would be but a short time before State
legislation would practically disfranchise the
great bulk of them. They are even now pro-
posing to antagonize the amendments to the
national Constitution, in the amendments to
the State Constitution, and if in uncilal-
lenged control OF the national government
this spirit Of opposition to negro suffrage
would be tenfold more bold and aggressive.
We make no appeal to the colored man.
We despise the craven duplicity that would
resort to the tricks and devices of the dcma-
sogue to control his vote. We recognize
him as Il free citizen, equal before the lawto
all other citizens. We admit his right to
vote as he pleases, and If it COMFORTS with
his sense of right and safety. to vote the
democratic ticket, we would not seek to
change that determination, except by fair
argument, addressed alike 20 all classes. Bat
it is we'll enough to caution the colored peo-
pic against the fair promises and smiling APP
proaches of those who consistently denounce
all white Republicans as scalawags, carpet
baegcrs, and radicals, who have defended
the rights of the colored man. 1t has TO-
qured courage and determination to encoul-
ter the fierce denunciation that has been heap
ed upon the white Republicans OF Virginia. |
They have stood firm, conscious of the JUS
ticc and humanity of their position. This
now is acknowledged by the democrats them
selves in the invitation they extend to the
colorcd voters to unite with them. They |
cannot now, with any kind Of consistency,seek
to stimulate prcjudces and inflame PAS
sions, by denouncing Republicans as the
s'negro party" They court the negro vote.
They covet political alliance with the col
ored citizen, and promise him more than lie
has ever received from the Republicans.
They even go so far as to seek to bride him,
and thus add crime to duplicity. The intel
ligent colored people know how much faith
to place in their assurances. They will
meet them as they deserve, and will furnish |
testimony to their own integrity, in the po
ltical utilization they will MAINTAIN. !