Morning journal and courier., 1881-06-04
sSoutnal al1o Courier.
Saturday Morning, June 4. 1881.
VIRGINIA NEGROES APPRECIATEI

VIRGINIA NEGROES APPRECIATED.
A notable and significant feature of the
Virginia Readjusters' State convention is the
part taken in it by colored men, and the at
tsntion paid them and their rights. There
is, it is said, no herding of colored men in a
particular corner, as was the practice few
years ago in Virginia. nor is there any race
discrimination visible in The arrangements
for seating delegates, or in the conduct of
the delegates themselves. The colored dele
gates participate in the proceedings of the
convention with the same freedom as their
white colleagues, and in all the preliminary
feeling of class distinction. In the construc-
ton of the committees on contested seats per-
manent organization, and resolutions, the
equality of the eoloref men was recognized
by their presence on those committees. And
in the proceedings of the convention, after the
permanent organization had been effected,
this class of delegates was treated in all re-
spects with the same consideration shown
white men, and the remarks made by them
were listened to with the sa respectful at
tention, accorded white speakers. The feel
ing that pervades the convention was well il
lustrated by the enthusiastic manner in which
the sentiments uttered by Senator Malone in
favor of a free and fair election and political
equality of all classes of citizens were re-
ceived.
A correspondent of the New York Iimts
says that of the genuineness of the remarkable
progress made in this direction in Virginia
there can be no doubt From extended con-
versations with white and black members of
the convention, and from close observation
of the conduct of each class toward the other
he considers it evident that the union of the
races does not rest upon an expedient
adopted to secure a mere partisan success
but that it is the outgrowth of conviction
upon the part of each of the two classes that
a permanent union rs necessary to secure
those healthful political reforms so much de-
sired by both and SO necessary to the peace
and prosperity of the State. t'The encour
aging feature about this movement is the fact
that the colored men are thoroughly con-
vinced of the sincerity of Senator Malone,
who is its guiding and controlling spirit, and
the additional fact that the whites have at
last been made to realize that in order to re-
1eem the State from Bourbonism it is neces-
sary to gain the votes of the colored men.
Both classes seem to recognize that their mate
,ial and political interests are identical, and
hat they can only bs secured by unity and
cooperation. This is the feeling that per-
7ades both classes, and this is the subject that
S discussed to the almost entire exclusion of
he question involved in the State debt issue.
indeed, the debt question has become mere |
ide issue in the contest between liberalism, |
IS represented by the Readjusters, and !
3ourbonism, as represented by the Demo !
rats. The line of demarkation is as broad |
between them as between the Republican and |
Democratic parties of any Northern State, |
With perhaps this difference, that the feeling |
# antagonism between Readjusters and |
Democrats is stronger in Virginia than be-
ween the Republicans and Democrats of the |
Jorth''
All this is very encouraging, and is signif-
ant of what will take place all over the
outh sooner or later. Out of the conflict of
leas and parties there the negro will at last
ct his rights. and rise to the dignity of
cal imam and brother