The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-06-22
To ,.xpchburg Convention.

A few OF the citizens OF Augusta county
have sent % us the following paper as eX-
pressing views which they would like to
come before the Democratic State Conven-
tim soon TO assemble in Lynchburg.
These gentlemen do not claim to speak Tor
all the Democrats OF that county, nor for
anybody but themselves
To us it seems clear that but one great
and controlling duty belongs to that Con-
vention; and that is, describing all consid-
Grafton Of national issues and Federal poll
ties, to address themselves to the work OF
so re0rganizing the acknowledgements
tive forces OF Virginia as shall enable them
i'm November next TO recover the admins
tration of our public affairs, both State ana
municipal, TO The lchife race.
We aver in the outset our perfect VIII
lingneSs that the negro shall enjoy, and be
protected in the enjoyment, OF all his con-
Siitutional and legal rights. One Of the
many proofs the white people OF Virginia
have given of their willingness and wish to
promote the best interests of this inferior
and dependent race is that they have taxed
themselves to support, and have almost
wholly supported, free schools for the
negro. afiording him exactly the same Ia
ciities and advantages for educating his
children That we have provided for our
own children, with this notable exception !:
that we have at no time since the Inaugural
tion of the free-schOOl system applied or
apnropriated $780, 900, nor any lesser sum,
to normal school for ,chjfe children, rs has
been done Tor negro children. We have
done this while we are bearing the heavy
burden Of national and State debt and OF
individual and private debts.
And now if that race think il for the adj
vantage and betterment OF their educa-
tlona condition that their children shall be
taught and their scbo0s managed and SUI
pervised by their own color we have
naught to say against it. We shall, in
certain contingency and upon certain con-
ditions, continue to give our aid in sup
porting their separate schools, rs we have
individually given them what aid we could
in building their separate churches.
But there the line must be drawn.
For if. misled by scheming politicians,
tbey shall ESSAY to take any charge and
control of the white schools, examining
and appointing their white teachers, SUI
peryising and directing our children at
school. then we warn them to beware; for
the white men Of this Commonwealth Will
very quickly see to it as to what dispose
tlon shall be made OF the funds they con-
tribute from their hard tolls to educational
uses.
We seek neither to ilatter nor to frlghten
them. but to speak few words OF PLAIN,
honest truth TO them. We ask not their
votes i'm any political matter, nor for any
political or other candidate OF ours. We
would be smpletons, indeed, to do so.
Seventeen years OF steady observation has
shown to us that whenever an election
came round-Federal, State, or munich
pal-vhateyer the iaw-abiding, property
holding, Conservative citizens OF this State
DESIRED. that thing the negroes marched
against in solid column; whatever things
inspired ut and engineered from Washing
ton city those same Conservative citizens
dreaded and StrOUe against, those very
things this race have banded themselves
together to strive and fasten upon us.
We repeat that so long as the negro shall
carefully keep himself on his own side OF
the line-not seeking to mix himself up IL
our schools and our social hfe-so lon2
will we faithfully strive to extend to hin
every protection guaranteed to HIM by the
Constitutions, both State and Federal.
If. on the contrary, not content with this
they shall further band themselves together
10 precipitate social struggle, it can pos
sibly lead TO but one result, and that is thu
banding of the great mass OF the whites o
the State into an opposing body; and pro
foundly deprecating, as we do, any sucl
struggle, vet il il must come. and when !
comes, we have no fears for its issue.