The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-04-06
virginia POIiiicS im n New England
Wiu,seerss Conference.

Last Monday, at the meeting OF the kooce
Island Baptist Ministers Conference In The
First Baptist church OF Providence, Rev. +.
n. johnson, ID. D., the moderator, called
upop Rev. A. 4. Dickinson, ID. d., to .ex.
pjsin 10 the Conference the political sitra'
non in Virginia, which the latter declined
10 do. SAYING that he was not there with an
axe OF that description TO grind, but that he
had ano,ber kind OF an axe that needed q
little sharpening. DR.. Johnson insisted,
however, adding, "There Is nothing this
Conference Is so anxious to hear about as
the Malone movement, and We can't excuse
you. II you will not make an address, VIII
you let us catechise your"
DR.. Dickinson: al have nothing to dc
with politics except TO vote for The best
man when know who he Is"
"WeII,r said the Moderator. al and
others here think that there is bargain,
and a most disgraceful one, made by ouf
party In the Senate with Malone, bv which,
for services rendered, he is to have the pa
tronaee Of the Government in his State"
Rev. DR.. Bullin: "Tbe Moderator does
not voice my convictions
DIR. Dickinson: "Tbere It is; you are
not agreed among yourselves, and you had
better wait and let time clear your vision"
Rev. DIR. True: "Ycs, but we are agreed
that It's not right TO give the Influence OF
the Republican party 10 reputation; and
we wish you 10 tell Us what The better classes
IN Virginia think Of this alliance. What do
you think OF MaboDei"
al think he ]. man OF great abilities,
and great organizer, and that he was one
OF the brayest and best CT our Confederate
generals"
but is he Democrat"
ale saws so, and be ought to know"
"Weil, do you think he has been bought
up by the Republican party, and that be
will prove faithful TO that perty 7"
81 refer you 10 the papers, and to the
discussion in the Senate"
"Wbat do you mean in Virginia by re-
Adjustment"
III owe you q dollar. and were to say
to you can pay but fifty cents, and don't
propose to pay any more, possibly you
would accept Of that, il you could do no
better. That's the Virginia idea Of re.
adjustment"
DIR. BulIin: "But before Malone and
his Reimbursement came up what had the
dominant party done towards paying the
debit"
"They had passed the funding bill and
done some other things looking to a settle
meDt, but prefer not to 90 into all that"
Rev. w. w. Everts: "Tell us about
Riddleberger. What kind Of a man Is he 2"
ale is a tall man, makes a pretty good
speech. and be is one OF the leading Re-
adjusiers OF Virginia. He is not the equal
OF Rev. John f.. Massey, the man most
likely to be Governor il the Rtadjusters
succeed next fall"
swell, tell US about Massey. You say he
Is preacherS"
"Yes, he Is a Baptist preacher. and did
more TO carry the State for reimbursement
than any man on bis side, with the possible
exception Of General Malone"
"Will General Wickham go in with the
Readiusters?"
IL do not know. He Is O very able man
and has troops OF friends, and don't seem
to care about office. He holds position
better than any you can give him."
"What do you think will be the effect of
this alliance on your State debit"
al don't know, but it is probable you
will sweep the State. The debt OF Virginia
is largely due here at the North, and think
there will be disposition TO lee you re-
adjust 1t II you prefer to have it that way"
Rev. DIR. Johnson "But you must be
aware That us not Mah0ne's reputation
sentiments, but his manly declaration that
the colored people shall have their rights,
that fires the northern heart with admiration
for him."
DR.. Dickinson "On that point have no
besitancy 10 speaking. The cOlored people
In Virginia hare their rights nom. They are
Just as free TO do what they please as are the
colored preachers on this floor or any other
citizens OF Rhode Island. There is some
cheating at elections, presume, in Virginia,
but not more than 10 New England or any
where else. II there is any truth in me.
you have 1t when say the white people Of
Virginia are just as kind to the colored peo-
pie as you are; and no man in Virginia has
had better opportunities for forming judy
ment than | have had.'
The Moderator thanked Dr.. Dickinson
and dismissed the meeting.