The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-02-26
The Colored Voters.
Communicated

lCOmmuulcaLcosJ
a. EaorYonr mastery article ,a on Grip
1orclbly that am compelled to ask for small
space in your valuable paper, in which desire
to express my views upon the present condition
of my-the colored-race, and make few obser-
vations upon their duty in the coming campaign.
IN iss State as far as
litical condition is concerned. They are in .
worse condition: though now, politically. than
Sst a 81 vi a
contract breaking portion Of the great () party.
The attempt has not only been made to delude
the colored people. but they have been deluded,
rity can be given us for our rights by party
who advocates the breaking Of solemn contracts
grip sacRsS answer no security at all. paying
Well may you say the colored people should
bessn sin hsr liberty their dris ssncsise
and their rights and am not afraid to affirm.
without fear OF successful contradiction that If
the Republican party never does any more for
the negro race, it has done enough to entitle it
to everlasting gratitude for past favors.
and In t saR c1ofea voters d8ng the voting
our people are not capable Of holding Office and
ability should not be excluded on account Of
color, the majority OF those who threaten to
Leave the party unless they get more offices are
party unless it is q mental one.
The more intelligent portion Of the race do not
did not originate with the coiored peSpe' any
way, but was started by the great (?) Conserve
tive party to INDUCE the negro to leave the
Republican party) know not how the colored
people can in so short time, forget past favors.
All they have, they obtained from the Republic
caH party sma are tns ready to affiliate
try to start new party. with breach of con-
tracts as the first plank in their platform? The
honest portion OF the colored voters will not Join
this new so-oalled Readj4stera party, bIt thev
election Of Republican President. have never s'
for Grant, Sherman or Blaine. nor any other par.
ticular man, but let us unite and cast our vote
the wisdom OF that party that broke our s6ackies
and made us free citizens of this, the greatest
republic the world has ever seen, to select q
man Who is worthy of our votes. and who will, Of
course. protect every right guaranteed to US by
the Supreme law Of the land.
Eyer, Every restriction upon our rights has been
maze by the Conservative party-this We know
What party said that if you did not previously
pay dollar to the State. you could not exercise
Hs sss wi Ro4d
THE right to vote ct any election shalt not be
ae5idgea IN a9y way except q fEf in
law (Which was aimed at the negro but unfortu-
nately. in:its sweep, struck the poor white man
the anDrama law Of the land, "
been placed upon the statute books to Cypress
tu0 uo8EUs goes 10 SHOW tn8C II STATE VIII
deprive its citizens of the right to vote the high
est privilege free man can haVe for the sake Of
all the rights that the poor man enjoys.
heartily condur with you when you say "there |
is no safety for the political rights OF the coored
man. but in the Republican party. and when he |
vorces himself from the powers which has made |
him what he is. and yindicated its devotion to |
the rights OF man by the most heroic and intrepid
struggle that ever distinguished political |
body" |
You also ask an important question .The |
Republican party. can do without tho colored |
vote but can the colored voters do with. |
out the Republican .party?" answer. no, |
and think every colored man. who rejects.
viii ,c coneqF 0 with ~ me- tst ne eoogsd men
III tremble in fear Of the cbhsequences.
Don't talk about so much Office let us be sure |
OF liberty first. their aim to rise higher and /
higher by honesty industry and intelligence, and |
think not OF departing the party who gave us |
the three greatest boons We ever can enjoy, lib !
Very Respectfully yours,
qE0RGR A. NEWMAN,
Harrisonburg, Va, Feb. fsrd, 1880.