The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-05-28
ESSEX COUNTY.
Editors of the Dispatch
MAY "a, 1881.

ESoEA COON l.
MAY "a, 1881.
Editors of the Dispatch
A COPY OF the Richmond wing OF Inc
10Th instant hiss Just been handed me by a
friend, and my attention called 10 some eui'
torial comments 10 that paper upon an aril-
Gle OF mine which appeared in the DtSpdtch
of few days previous under the signature
OF "Omega."
should not notice these comments. for
have no disposition TO throw mud " WIN
the Whiq, but for the fact in the paragraph
copied from the Dispatch (Which assume
to be correct copy) am made to conlne
nv statement to Essex, when my letter
reads "every section OF the State"
This letter was written more in sorrow
than in anger. Being farmer myself, ana
knowing the trials and perplexlties and
many difficulties with which we have 10
contend. and the anxiety OF our people TO
get upon their feet, was deploring tue TACT
that few designing men for political pur.
noses. prompted BY selfish motives, should
combine to crush the chief resource OF the
State.
I had no idea OF bringing upon me the
anathemas Of the Wing. Like the WOUNDED
reptile, it plupges its fangs into every op-
ject in reach, and like it. IL left TO itself
(which perhaps would be best), 1t would
sting itself to death.
The Whiq commences IFS comments By
saving, "ldIocy and Funderism are not yet
recognized ss synonymous terms, Out they
soon will be il the above style OF statement
continues to characterize Funder litera-
ture."
II is notorious fact that drunken man
considers every one else drunk but himself,
while he is perfectly sober. Idiots and lu'
natjcs consider all others as fools and de-
ranged but themselves. while they are emil
nenily wise and sane. Upon the same
hypothesis the editor OF the Wing concludes
that all who do not endorse his vagaries are
idiots and kuaves.
II is universally admitted. both by Fund
ers $50 called aud Readiusters, that there
has been more decentralization among the
negroes and indlspositi0n 10 work in the
last two years than the previous fourteen
wears since the war ended. This attribute
TO the evil influence Of the Readiusters,
rrompted by selfish motives. Ii l am
wrong In this, aud can be convinced 10y ar.
gument (uot blackguardism), i will admit
It. Have not the Funders conceded to the
negroes every right and privilege allowed
them by the Federal and State Constitu-
Mons? Did not they put the free schools in
full operation several years earlier than re-.
ouired by the State Constitution! And
who SUPPORTS these schools? Certainly not
the ReSdjusters. What have the Re.
adjusters done for tbe negro3 They have
promised, and nothing more; promised to
abolish the per capita tax and whipping.
most: promised 10 abolish tax OF 81 for
the ipestimable privilege OF voting, when
that one dollar is 10 be applied solely to the
support of free schools.
The WhiQ, while clamorous for the free
schools, is an earnest advocate for the aboli-
ton of this tax, well knowing this is nearly
all its advocates pay TO the State and schools,
and are cooperating with them to fix the en-
tire burden upon the Funders; for 1t is a
notable fact that Readlusters Of whatever
color pay very little tax. The Wing Is also
clamorous for the abolition OF the whip.
ping. post. Why? Does It admit that its
allies are the only petty thieves in the Com
monwealtb, and that the law was passed
alone to punish them for this aud other
petty offences? When did these new lights
dawn upon tue Wing and its friends? Have
they been worshippng at the shrine OF Ply
mouth Rock and imbbed the sentiments OF
a people who thought 1t not wrong TO tear
the husband from his wife, the infant
from the mothers breast, and transport
them to distant lands TO be sold into slavery,
and TO hold them in seryitude themselves as
long as profitable, and again to sever family
ties and to sell them to more coDgenial
cline, and when rid OF them held up their
hands In holy horror at the crime OF hold
ing slaves and traflicking in human fesbS
Did il ever occur to the Wing man that
these faithful allies would use him and his
friends as long as they consider them ne
cessary, and when they can dispense with
their services drop themY Such a scene
was witnessed in a convention In this coun.
~ In the last canvass, when the whites were
virtually excluded from the convention.
When did this Pharisee discover the great
sense Of the FuDdersy
Did not the editor OF the Wing and the
leaders Of bis party aid in passing the law
imposing the per capita tax and establish
ing the whipping-postf When, | ask, did
this new light dawn upon themi Was IL
the alluring bait OF Office that opened their
eyesi
In conclusion the Wing says: "It they
(the negroes) have abandoned the Funder
whites, have done SO to support the Re-
NuUtc-d sOTt VI Wutce inu'
nitely better, politically at least, than the
whites whose only claim to distinction Is
that they are no! negroes" (my italics)-
does the editor OF the Wing mean to say
that the best people Of Virginia, those OF
the highest sot;sl position, the most highly
cultivated and enlightened, almost the en-.
tire property-hoiding class Of the State, are
no better In any respect than the negroes OF
the State, except In the color OF their skin |?
He can mean nothing else. Has be become
so blinded by passion and socialism as to
express such sentiments OF the best people
OF this old Commonwealth; a people pos.
sessing ali OF The nobIest typos Of manhood;
people from whom bave sprung the most
illusirlous line OF statesmen, warriors, and
orators that ever existed 10 any age or
country; a people who are standing to-day
as a solid wall VI granite 70 hurl back the