National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-02-17
MATTERS IN VIRGINIA.
a Sherman Boom Started in Rich
nOnd.
Seven Legislators Pledge Their Cordial and
Active support-The seoretaIy's Reply
The Recent ARRAY at the Capitol
Both Member and Reporter
Expelled Police jus
tice on His Ear.
A sherman Movement Inaugurated.

RICHMOND, VA, Feb. 18.-The fullOwiut
correspondence, which will appear in to.mor
rows Dispatch, explains itself;
RIcHnoND Va, Jan. 81, 1880.
Hon. John Sherman:
DEAR SIR: The undersigned, Republican
representatives in tho General Assembly Of
Virginia. desire to extend to you their sincere
congratulations over tho almost universal
sentiment among the Republicans of this State
in favor Of your nomination us President Of
the United States. All of US arc colorcd rep
rcsentatives, and relying upon your many
public acts in defense Of our race. have assured
our people that In the event Of your election
to the high Office Of Chief Magistrate of this
Nation that they will lnd YOU their friend,
ever ready to orccoguze their claims to rghtfully
deiond their Interests. II Is needless to say to
you that the cOlored people love the Republi-
eau party. They have faithfully supported it
under the most trying circumstances in the
past and IL is our determination to do like
wise in the future. We feel, however that
our race has boon neglected of late years by
the Republican leaders of the country, but we
place our confidence in you and have hope for
the future. We have determined to give you
our most cordial and active support, and
therefore, beg leave to subscribe ourselves
sincerely your friends,
D. NJ. NORTON, State Senator.
r. q. l.. PAIGE, N. LEWIS,
=. DUNGEE, GEORGE n. COLE
AHCHER SCOTr, JOHNSON COLLINS,
II. ID. SMITH, LITTLEroN OWENS,
Members Of the House Of Delegates.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Feb. 4. 1850.
d. Norton, r. q. l.. Paige, N. Leri
and Others Republican Representatives IN III
General assembly, Richmond, Va:
GENTLEMEN: | have to acknowledge tho
receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo con.
veying to me the kindly sentiments of the
cOlOred representatives in the General ASSEM-
bly, OF virginia, tho assurance of which gives
me sincere pleasure. The relation in which
you aro now placed not only MS voters and equal
citizens, but MS part Of the lawmakers of tho
Commonwealth of Virginia, where your rnce
was for long time held in slavery, is one OF
peculiar interest aud importance. You are
now invested with all the rights held by any
other citizens Of Virginia, and you should feel
the full responsibilities Of your position. You
may rest assured that so far us my limited
influence goes, will seek to sustain you in
tho enjoyment of full civil and political lib
erty and equality.
The principles upon which our Government
is founded were never more eoqueutly ex.
pressed than by the great men of Virginia
during the Revolutionary struggle and the
| rights you enjoy are but the logical sequence
of these principles. / hope and believe that
while securely enjoying these blessings YOU
served by careful regard for the equal rights
of others and by contributing your full share
to the education, development and progress Of
all. The influence of habits and customs Of
generations cannot be overcome in n day, but
the advance of public opinion in the right di-
rcctiOn has bocn SO marked since the emanc
patton Of your race, that we boast
that In brief period tho distinction
between the races in all questions of civil and
political rights will be ignored Ms fully us the
distinction between religious sects aud of
nutionaltics has been. All are alike citizens
Of common country, equally entitled 60 its
privileges and equally bound to obey its laws
and usages. Very truly yours,
JONI SHERMAN.
The dispatch states, in addition, that Of tho
four remaining colored members who did not
sign the above letter two are not yet commit.
ted to any one, tho third is not friendly to
Sherman, and the fourth declined to sign, bus
says he will do more for Sherman than will
any man in Virginia.