Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1880-02-17
a sUiorc,i Sherman BooM.,
hicHMoND. VA. January 81, 1850.

i't'l'luSD, a.. JANUARY Of, loi''
Uo&. JOdn .SherH.un:
Ue" S"-Thc undersigned Republican rep.
rcscntailves IN tho General Assembly OF Viz
2inla, desire TO extend 10 you their sincere con.
graduation over tho almost unanimous scni.
meat among the Republicans Of this State iu
lsvtr Ct your nomination as President of the
United States. hll OF US arc colorod represen.
tsllros, and relying upon your many public acts
in dcnnca OF our race. havo assured our people
that 10 the event OF your election 10 the high
Office Of chief magistrate 9ftho nalQn that thoy
will hnd you their friend, ever ready to reoog-
u2s their claims ard 10 IightiulIy defend their
interests. IL / needless 10 say to you that the
colored people love the Republican party. They
have faithfully supported it under the most
tiJ:pg crcumstarc in tho past and it is our
DETERMINATION to do likewise IN tho future
We fccl, however, that our raCo has boon nc
els ctcd OF lato years By the Republican leaders
OF the Country, but We place our coHfi1erco in
you, and have hope Tor tho future. We have
Determined TO give yau our most cordial and
aati'h support, and therefore beg TO subscribe
ourselves sincerely your friends, ID. Nj. Norton,
State Senator; K. q. Il. Page, N. l4cwip, S.
DunGee, George N. Cole. Archer Scott, john
son Collins. ii. ID. Smith, I.itticton OSons,
members Of the House OF Delegates.
WASHINGTON, D. e., February il. 1850.
Gcdlt0len-l have to acknowledge the ro-
eelpt Of your letter Of the %lst ult., conveying
! 10 Inc the kindly sentiments fthe colored rep-
rescnta!ives ID the General Assembly Of Vir-
glnla. the aesilrauc, Of which gives NC sincere
pleasure. The situation in which you arc now
placed, not only IL voters and equal clizsns,
but as palt Of The law makers OF the ancient
Commonwealth OF Virginia, whtro your raCo
| Was Tor long time held 10 slavery, is one OF
peculiar interest and Importance.
Iou Hro now invested with all the rights held
| by any olhor citiEons Of Virginia and you
should, and no boGb! do. fool tho full RESPONSE
| blhlics OF your position. You may rest assured
thai. so lar IS my limited influence goes, will
seek TO sustain you IN tho enjoyment Of full civil
and political liberty and equality. Tho princi-
pes upon which our government is founded
| were never more GloGuontly expressed than by
The great mon Of Virginia during the revolu.
tlonsry struggle; ana the rights you enjoy arc
| bu. tho Logical sequence OF these principles. /
| nope. end believe. that while securely enjoying
these blessings you will remember thai they sro
| only to be preserved by careful regard for the
equal rights Of othors and by contributing your
| lull share TO tho education, development and
progress OF all. The influence Of habits and Gus
toms OF generations cannot DO overcome IN q
| lay Gut the advance Of public opinion in tho
! right direction has been 50 marked since tho
| emancipation of your race thag wo may boast
that in brief period the distinction between the
races on ell questions of civil and political rights
VIII DO lGnorcd as fully as tho distinction between
| religious scots and Of nationalities has been.
All arc alike citizens of common country,
equally entitled to its privileges, and equally
bound 10 Cb;y its laws and usages.
Very truly, yours,
| (SiGnod) JNo. SHERMAN.
Tho Dispatch states, in addition, thsl of the
| four remairing colorod mombors who did not
g. gn tho above letter, two arc not yet committed
| to Sly one. Tho third is not friendly to Sher-
man. snd tho fourth declined to sign, but says
! Ito will do moro for Sherman than will any man
in Virginia.