The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-09-06
Race Prejudices.

Jon of the natural or legal rights of the
other. The Virginian, like the citizen of
any other State, has his prejudices, which
are manifested in closer personal SYM
pathy and confidence, especially if thrown
together in distant communities. We re-
member, years ago, to have met on the
frontier, way out in the Businesses of the
Rocky Mountains. very black man. At
ter a few moments conversation and close
inspection of our face, he remarked =
''Boss, amt you from Old Virginny?" We
responded aflirmatively. He said, II
knew it.. 1 can tell Virginian as soon as
lay my eyes on him." Wefound that he
also was from Virginia, and from that
time forward that negro and the writer
were friends. Although dependent on his
occupation-that of barber-for living
he did not want to take fee from us for
his services. But this offer. although duly
appreciated, was declined.
These prejudices, common to races and
nationalities, however, are not the kind
and degree shown by the Dispatch and the
party for which it speaks. They relate to
the social relations, and no one argues for
social equality OF the violation of any Of
the proprieties of life, as recognized in the
social compact. We have constitutional
and legal command as to the public schools
as to political rights and the relations of
the cOlored man as citizen. 1t is carry
ing the prejudices of race into these rela-
tions, to the restriction of rights secured
by the Constitution of the United States,
the constitution Of the State and the stat
utes of Virginia, that we object to. While
the Lynchburg resolution was designed
on it's face to induce the belief that the
race issue was not to be introduced into
this contest, and to that degree was a con-
domination Of the policy proposed by the
Dispatch and State-the practical operation
of the plan suggested, would force that issue
in more aggravated and mischievous
| manner than it has ever been considered
before. 1t is this kind of prejudice that
| we denounce as ''cruel, barbarous and I'M
civilized"
The argument of the Dispatch in rela-
ton to the two colored trustees appointed
for the public schools of Richmond, begs
the whole question at issue. Its conjec-
tural, imaginative illustrations to justify
it's position, show the tiimsy grounds upon
which it predicates its conclusions. There
are colored schools in that city as well as
| white schools. The colored trustees were
appointed with view to the better learn
| ing the wants and complaints as to them,
| if any there should be, through these trus-
| tees, in order that the entire Board OF
Trustees might be fully possessed Of the
| exact needs and situation to act intelli-
gently and knowingly in the correction OF
any wrongs and the improvement of adj
ministratfon If necessary. The policy
was WISE considerable and in the interest
of the efficiency of the cSlGreq schools,
and no one who really has at heart the sue
cess of the public school system, as it
affects the eOlored race, could reasonably
object to it.
While the object Of the resolution
adopted by the Lynchburg Convention,
was evidently to deceive the colored peo-
pie by flattering them with deceptive
| proposition to surrender to them the ex-
cIusiye control of their own schools, the
practical enforcement Of the policy in
volved in that resolve would be to initiate
against their efficiency and TEND to their
final dissolution. The hope was DOUBTLESS
entertained when the Lynchburg Conven-
ton accepted the resolution of the Rock
4 ingham Democracy. that it would accom-
plish two objects First, draw to the sup
port OF the BOurbons a portion of the col
ored vote. and SECOND. by the operation of
the policy it suggests, destroy the colored
| schools.
A prejudice that could suggest and favor
such a policy, we repeat, is ''cruel, barbar-
| Gus, and uncivilized, ''and as far removed
from the instructive prejudice that is inher-
ent in races and nationalities. as wrong is
from right. The constitution and laws of
the State and country. as well as public
policy, condemn it, and party that lays
it's claims to public confidence upon such
a monstrous doctrine, should suffer, as
it will, the severest rebuke from the
people.
Under the present management and pol
icy, affecting the public schools of Vir-
ginia, they have grown in popular favor
and usefulness. They are reaching for
that degree of perfection which the
Constitution contemplated in their in
stitution. They have increased in
in numbers, in the attendance and
efficiency. The children of the State,
irrespective of race. are realizing the be-
neficent results. A brighter promise
sheds its cheering influence over all the
relations of the Commonwealth, as con-
sequence, and it is to that policy that we
would have the State closely and unfal-
teringly adhere. When these suspicious
conditions are apparent to all, where is the
wisdom, the philanthropy or the christian
ity, in ordering change, that would
introduce the dire hates of race, infamed
by the false and wicked appeals of unscru-
puleus demagogues, to be followed by
strifes, decentralization and eventual par
alysis to the whole public school interests?
The Bourbons Of Virginia will never
forget and never learn anything. They
seem to be incapable of availing of
the lessons of the past. From the
days of the thirteenth amendment to
the National Constitution. they have
been fighting the inevitable. only to be
defeated and Inundated. and then ac-
cept that which they declared they ::would
never accept. They have been driven from
every position they have taken to obstruct
the legitimate operation of laws enacted
to meet the demands of the new dispense
ton. They stealthily endeavored to re-
strict the colored vote by placing dollar
price ON the ballot. They have sought to
undermine the public school system, be-
cause it opened up future. for the poor
children of the State, knowing that a
free ballot and a free school house are their
most formidable and effective enemies
Their whole policy and purpose from 1865
to the present time have been reactive,
obstructive and destructive. But the
patriotism and courage of the people
I,ax I'm