The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-09-28
Communicated.

STAUNToN, VA. Sept %, 1882.
Spectator OF the 13A inst appeared an extract of
speech said to have been made by Rev. J. NJ. Daw |
son, so-called Straightout candidate for Congress
at-large at Lexington, Va, Sept. 4th, 1882. do
not know Mr. Dawson, personally. since reading |
what reported as emanating from his lips, con-
corning respectable class of his people, am
exceedingly glad that 81 know him not II what
the Spectator says is true, this 'goodooktng, dig
nf1ed colored man, almost white" had better have
been born altogether white, than be what he is
day-a slaAderer Of the educated and intelligent
class Of coored people in Virginia. Let that speech
be read by and explained to every young colored
man in the commonwealth, and We WILL on the 7th
OF November next bury Dawson so deep, poliu
oally, that he will never recover.
Rev. Dawson is an educated man; graduate Of
Oberlin College, Ohio-''a mixed school," White,
s'almost white" bleak and almost black Students
(maie and female) attend that institution. What
DO the editors OF the spectator" "Dispatch," and
sRichmond State" think OF these undeniable facts?
Prove TO the contrary, gentlemen, If Thou cans
man, coming from an institution founded by abb
oiidonists; whose whole training has been On the
side of the doctrines of ''mixed schools equal
rights and social equality, Is now roaming
over Virginia, in the interest of party and mon
who have always and still oppose these ideas
which he Dawson, more than any colored man In
the State, represents.
How strange is it that such should be the case.
But 1t Is The colored people OF Virginia do not
want smtxed schools We do not desire social
equality. Mr.. Dawson desires both. BE enjoyed
them at Oberlin College. and expects them in Vtr
gtnia. This is not Ohio, brother Dawson. Ii You
desire your children TO be brought up you were
On mixed schools''l, go West-to Ohio Am mis-
words mean anything If they do, ponder care
fully those spoken ''huen y and to the point at
Lexington, Va, by this Dawson. Here they are:
II would not send child of mine TO the free
schools in my district. Why? Because the teach
ers not qualified, mentally, socially or religi
ously." Continuing, he says 'they, (the Liberals)
have turned out mpetent teachers and educators,
and have put in teachers who are utterly worth
less The people who are appointed to examine
teachers, know nothing themselves, and how can
they examine others?' This is a sweeping aceusa-
tion 1t includes white and colored teachers, coun-
- andn try N IA AMI
xeducators at the University, Blind Institute and
oeher schools. But there Is one class which feels
more ecnsibly this vile and malicious SANDER than
the other. moan the upright honest, well meaning
and capable colored te4chers throughout the State
The first four lines quote from Dawsons speech,
will used against the scores of deserving
young men and ladies Of color who graduate from
eolored Institutions In and out OF the state.
Young colored Vtrginians! These are the senti-
ments John NJ Dawson scattered upon the winds
by the Democratic press. Will you submit to the
outrage, After saying things about you after
covering your aspirations with odfum, he has the
Tho have sufrered 90 many deprivatonr in order to
secure education; you who have succeeded In
obtaining only to be rejected as teachers In the
colored schools solely account OF your COLOR use
every effort every means and all the time you can
spare in securing the defeat of this man Dawson.
You, who read newspapers, who understand the
political situation inform the tlliterate what in
oaloulable injury this Dawson is doing our people.
Every honest man knows that the public schools
in Dawson's "distrist and every other district In
che State, not what they should be. Here in
staunten We have had public schools open 10 or
more years, and to-day our county schools are
without enough competent co iored teachers, be-
eause the city schools have not furnished them as
they ought to have DONE We need a coered High
School IN staunton. The white children have one.
how can we better our condition? Only by voting
for men like Wise, Paul and Mayo, who will go TO
Congress and national aid" for the uniform
education Of all the children in the Southern States
When, ia the history Of this any other Southern
State, was 100000 given by q Legislature for the
erection Of an institution for the higher education
Of oolored youth? The Virginia Assembly, at Its
last session. appropriated that amount for the pur
pose stated above. The Liberal leaders are not
afraid tell the white people that they gave this
vast amount for that ject Public sentimen ap
proves the measure; Mr.. Dawson and his support
ers, by their actions apd words, condemn 1t.
Colored virginiansl Rally and put down this
negro "Boss,' this enemy Of the public schools
John III. Dawson. Respectfully,
VIM. B. DAVENPORT.