The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-04-06

potent wrath and venom. PartiZan desper-
alton will work its own cure and expose the
motives which control and govern its in
;tigatOrs.
Prescribing Colored Bishop.
A large meeting of colored people was
held in Bethel African Metho list Episcopal
Church, New York, last week. The object
Of it was to enter complaint and to prop
erly stigmatize the treatment shown Bishop
D. A. Payne, senior Bishop OF their denom-
nation, by his ejectment from ~ railroad
train in Florida. 1t seems that they still
retain in that portion of the South the pref
udices against the colored people on railroad
cars, and have the coaches labeled for ''col-
ored people" and for white people," In
the former there are very few comforts, and
much smoke, dirt and very limited accom-
modations. The Bishop had purchased
first class ticket and took his seat in first
class car, which differed very materially in
its appointments from the car marked "for
colored people," The conductor requested
him to leave that coach and go into the one
provided for his race, which he declined to
do, because of the offensive odor of tobac-
co smoke, and the existence OF other dis
comforts not corresponding with first
class fare. Thereupon he was elected and
to walk five miles to Jackson
vile. The Bishop is II years of age, has
been President of Wilberforce University,
and was one of the Presidents Of the
Conference. which met in Lon
don several years ago. He is distinguished
for his learning, his deep piety and useful
and inoffensive life, and his people are very
much devoted to him. Hence the meeting
in the City of New York. to protest against
the outrage perpetrated upon him by the
authorities of the Jacksonville and Fernan-
dina railroad in ejecting him from the cars,
because he had asked for the comforts he
had paid for, and to which his ticket en-
titled him. The resolutions adopted on
the occasion were very decided in senti-
ment and announced the purpose to agi-
tate the question of the rights of the col
cred people and their civil as we'll as p0-
litical equality. We had really thought
that there was no place in the United States
where the discrim nation indicated in the
treatment of Bishop Payne continued to be
upon public carriers, but the an
in the resolutions adopted in
this New York meeting, that bitter pro-
scription on account Of color still exists on
the railroads in Georgia, Florida, Louisi-
ana and the Southwest" would indicate
that slow progress has been made there in
of the country. Here is venerable
man of God, whose life has been de-
voted to the moral elevation of his people,
recognized in his high Office throughout
the civilized world, and in all that goes to
make up the devoted christian and useful
citizen the equal, at least, of most men,
ordered out of railroad car,
which he had paid to ride in, simply be-
cause he is black. Such treatment deserves
the severest denunci ation from all good
men, whether white or black. Savages
could not have been much more cruel, not
to speak of men raised under the influence OF
Bishop is the representative of the Afri-
can Methodist Episcopal Church, of 1900
churches and of 1000, ZOO members, and
the appeal is made to this body of sympa-
thizers to raise $4,000 to test the right of
the Bishop, as citizen, in the courts, and
to carry the case to the Supreme Court OF
the United States, if necessary, in order that
a lesson may be taught and enforced Of sal.
utary influence.
We can very well understand the politi.
cal prejudice and persecution which exist
in that portion of the country, when this
good old Bishop, whose work is peace. and
whose example and precept are meek and
lowly, is thus outraged and his tottering
form thrust from the cars to make his way
on foot to his destination. 1t was cruel
outrage which should be punished to the
tribute IS to make up the necessary amount
to carry the case to the Supreme Court OF
the United States, if in its progress. that di-
rection is deemed essential.
In striking contrast with the offensive
spirit manifested on the occasion referred
to, was the treatment by the citizens OF
of Hon. Fred. Douglas, several
years ago, when he responded to call Of
The colored people here to lecture in behalf
ot their church. He was given one of the
best rooms and seated in the dining room
If one of the best Hotels in the State--the
Virginia House-was visited by our citizens
If both political parties and of the highes !
His audience was one of th,:
most refined and intelligent we have ever
seen assembled in the city, and in every re-
spect he was recognized as entitled to the
aspect and kindly Offices Of our people.
Have our citizens suffered any comprom Use
II their responsibility or Caucasian blood,
Or the Hotel been damaged because the dis
inguished orator-colored though he be
md at one time slave-was treated like
. decent human being ought to be treated !?
Not bit of it. On the contrary all who
net and heard him seemed pleased that
hey had contributed their part to respect
ul reception of this remarkable colored man
md recognition of his high character as s.
public and private citizen, in listening to his
eloquent and learned address.
We do not think meaner or lower act
ould have been committed than that which
'laced this outrage upon Bishop Payne on
he railroad in FlOrida-an outrage with
,ut an excuse or palliation-without a.
shadow of justification. 1t was the mani
estation OF a vulgar prejudice, which reflects.
liscredit upon all conn ected with it, and
We hope will bring to them all the disad--
antages which such indefensible conduct.
hould insure,
Veto of the Chinese Bill.
The President on the 4th, sent in his veto Of
he Chinese Bill. The ground upon which tt ,e
bjection to it is based, is the suspension of
for twenty years which is colt
trued to transcend the reasonable" limit sti,,-
lated for in the modified Burlingame treaty.
While it is not possible, says the New York
Vines, ito fix the precise point at which the
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