The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-10-15
The Great Leader Of His Race, Fred.
Douglass, Comes Out for the McCul-
lnnll Kill.

The Great Leader OIL h1S Race, ETeUs
Douglass. Comes Out for the McCul-
lOch Bill.
The following letter explains Itself. 1t
is frank and manly recognition Of the
duty of the colored people in the contest
now going on in Virginia. The gentlemen
to whom it is addressed are leading Repub-
licans in Petersburg. We return them our
thanks for their kindness and courtesy in
favoring us with an early copy OF Mr..
Douelass's letter. We commend it not
to colored people only, nor to Republicans
only, but to all men OF every party and
race who wish to do the thing that is right:
WASHINGTON, D. g., October IS, 1879.
Colonel James u. Brady and j. FL. Yam
Auhen, Esq:
Geutlemen,-1 have received the petition
presented by you this morning, numerously
signed by the colorcd citizens OF Peters
burg favorable to the ratification, at the
election to be held in Move mber next, Of the
recent act of the General Assembly of Viz
ginia known as the McCulloch bill, extend
ing to me most cordial and pressing inv-
taton to visit that city and address them on
their duty in the present crisis.
/ exceedingly regret my inability to ac-
cept tie invitation, for it would give me
great pleasure to address the people Of Pc
tersburg in favor OF the payment Of the just
debts aud Obligations Of the State, and
against readi ustment, or Reputation, but l
have other engagements, and cannot posi-
bly, accept.
| am against reputation In every form,
and 1 most earnestly advise my people not
TO give support, countenancc, or encourage
ment to Readjusters or Regulators.
The public schools OF the State, upon
which our people are so much dependent,
are only safe and can only prosper under
the care and direction and in the keeping OF
those citizens who favor the payment OF
every dollar of Virginia's just debt.
The history, the policy, and the prinnc-
pies OF the Republican party are opposed to
reputation. The reputation or rcadiust-
meut OF Just debts and obligations by the
Democrats of the South is looked upon with
indignation and horror by the Republican
party OF the country, and merits and re-
ceives the severest condemnation from all
parties at the North.
The plea made by demagogues "that
you-coIored people-were slaves at the
time the debt OF Virginia was contracted,
and had nothing to do with it, and there
fore should not be called upon to burden
yourself aud your children, for generations
to come, with the payment thereof" is not
only specious but dangerous one. By
parity OF reasoning it may be argued that
you had nothing to do with obtaining your
freedom; therefore you should not enjoy
its blessings.
The agitation OF this question, after its
settlement by the General Assembly Of the
State with the creditors, is, in my judy
ment, extremely Injurious to every mate
rial interest of all her people, and has a
tendency to prevent immigration and the
introduction OF capital within her borders.
In view OF the fact that the Convention,
composed almost exclusively OF Republl-
cans, which framed the Constitution Of the
State, recognized the validity OF the present
debt OF Virginia. it strikes me that no Re-
publican can consistently ally himself with
the present agitators or vote for ReadIust-
ers or Regulators.
Very truly yours,
[Signed] FREDERICK DOUGLASS.