The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-08-03
Rev. J. M. Dawson

| ms gentleman, an intelligent ana es-
teemed colored minister of the Baptist
church, has been placed before the people
of Virginia, by what is called the Straight
out Republican Central Committee, as a
candidate for Congressman at-large. 1t is
not assuming too much to assert that this
action would never have been thought of
if there were any possibility ofMr. Dawson
being elected. 1t is as well known as any
fact in the future could be, that success in
this respect was the last thing considered.
| The whole aim and purpose of the move
ment is to defeat the Readjuster candidate
and elect the quasi Bourbon ticket repre-
scented in Mr.. Massey. The hope Is to de-
lude enough colored voters into the support
OF Mr.. Dawson, to make. Bourbon saccess
and Readjuster defeat assured. Republi-
cans are thus called upon to ieopardize one
of the most vital questions ever presented
for their determ nation in order to aid the
Bourbons in accomplishing that which their
numerical strength could not otherwise eff
feet. The capitatiOn tax restriction upon
the ballot is to be decided by popular vote
in November next, and the support it will
receive will be measured by the popular
strength which will be given to the Read
juster candidate. Republicans are called
upon to support Mr.. Dawson, under Re.
publican cOlors, while the result to be ac-
complished thereby is the election OF the
representative of the Bourbon faction, and
all that it means.
We do not question Mr. .Dawson's honest
intention in accepting the nomination
which had been rendered him. But we do
not believe that he has maturely and pa
iently considered the interests involved
and the influences operating. The Bour-
bOns shrink from fair, square contest be-
fore the people upon their own record, and
have invited recreant Readjuster to lead
them in the fight in the hope of seeding
from the r eadiusters a small following,
which added to their own numbers and
slight diversion Of Republicans to MIR.
Dawson, might enable them to succeed
Hence, they are not only actively and earn
estly supporting Mr.. Massey, but giving all
the encouragement they can, without posi-
lively urging his election, to Mr.. Dawson.
By this double dealing and false pretense,
they calculate to defeat the Liberals, and
pave the way for their return to power and
the control of the State. through the aid OF
those whom they have denounced and vii
lifted as men have never been before. And
Mr.. Dawson is asked 70 lend himself to this
desperate game-to allow himself to be
used as as catspaw to serve Bourbon
ends and to defeat a political force that
has been liberal and just to his race, and
done for them what no political power in
the State has ever before been able to do.
We can hardly think he will do so when he
has carefully cons idercd the case and
weighed tile important interest at stake
AS Republican he must see that the only
effect of his candidacy is to strengthen the
enemies OF his party-as a cOlOred man, he
cannot ia il to see that the political rights
and interests Of his race may be seriously
affected. Let him invoke these considera-
tions in his deliberations on the subject, and
we are sure that he will comprehend his
continue in which will breed for him moth
ing but regrets and hum iliation in the irl-
ture, and give his earnest support to the
Liberal candidate as against the Bourbon
representative.
Were Mr.. Dawson's nomination designed
as a compliment to and recogn II ion Of the
cOlO-ed race, in disinterested and kind
ly sense, and in the hope of electing him
to Congress to represent them there, it
would commend itself to Republicans
throughout the State. But, under all the
circumstances. instead of a compliment, it
is direct insult to him and his people-a
scheme to use him and them to satiate the
revenges of personal disappontments, and
to aid the Bourbons, through cOlOred in
fuence to resume their proscriptive and
destructive rule in the State, in the defeat
of the Liberal party. Boil it down, and
that is the explanation OF the situation. Is
there a colored man in the State, with the
remembrances of the past and its wrongs
marshalled before him. who will deliberate
ly and with his eyes open, walk into such
Il dead fall, and aid in striking down his
own tested and tried friends. and thus adj
vance to power his known and avowed po-
ltical enemies?
The American Lumber Company composed
of Scotch and Canadian capitalists, has pur-
chased from the Detroit Mackinaw and Mar
quette Railroad Company, the standing pine
on almost its entire lands, comprising five
hundred thousand acres. This with other
purchases, gives the company control of the
largest of body pine in Michigan.