The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-24
The Voice Of Augusta Counts.

To the Editor Of the DiSpatch:
l. it not useless and a waste OF time to
"arguiy" and discuss the question as to
whether or not the Lynchburg Convention
shall adopt a platform embracing a color
line plank? Has not the color line been
drawn long ago? Have not the negroes,
"under malign influence" from the very
berining, in tie face OF all advice and
counsel to the contrary, banded themselves
together continually and persistently, in
solid opposition and antagoniSm to the in
telligencc, worth, and fame OF Virginia
and Virginians? Are they not now otli-
cered by recreant white leaders who seem
consumed by their greed and lust for place
and power, still preserving their solid
column, adding to their demands. and Ms
serting themselves in a more offensive man
ner than ever? The color line has been
| long drawn by the negro race,
and is now drawn deeper, broader, and
blacker than ever. Against his own best
! interests and those OF all concerned, he
has been fighting on this line all the time,
and on il he will continue to fight until the
whites accept his gage of battle thus
thrown down and take out OF him his de-
lusion and folly by the peaceable but knock
down argument Of the ballot-bOX.
1t is to he feared that far too few Of our
people realize the importance and serious
ness of this race question. Ii may be safely
predicted that the government OF no State
in the Union will ever be exercised con-
Jointly by the two races satisfactorily and
peaceahly. One or the other must be
: the ruling race. Which shall it be:
Which will il be? The superior and most
, numerous race, OF course. This is lneVi.
table. In one way or in another the whites
will eventually assert most emphatically
their right and determination to rule and
direct all The affairs OF State and commu.
!, nifty. Therefore, il is better to do so nOlr
; by the orderly and quiet means Of party
organization and the ballot than TO let mat
tiers DRIFT along until they assume such
shape as TO provoke 4 violent clash OF
races. The most CALLING thing to the ne
gro, and particularly TO the so-called edli-
Gated negro, seems TO be the fact that he is
not and cannot be white man. Realizing
TINS, his CHIEF aim and desire is and will be
10 bring the white down To a level with
himself In everything. Whatever may be
: SAID TO the contrary, it is plain TO any in
, telIlgent reader and observer that the ne.
gro's heart is set on perfect and entire
equality with the whites-legally, ciyillv.
politically, and socially. To this end he
will labor, organize, and "politicate" con-
tinually until convinced that all these be
cannot have.
One great mistake Of the old Democracy
OF Virginia has been that 1t gave its thought.
attention, and work too much TO national
affairs and politics, to the neglect and In
Jury OF state and home interests. 1t is TO
be hoped the Lynchburg Convention will
let national issues and politics severely
alone. Our next campaign is TO be local
one, and should be confined TO and fought
on local and State questions and issues
alone. 1t Will be time enough to talk and
resolve about national politics year hence.
Let Us have the most thorough and liberal
reorganization OF the Conservative Demo-
raey OF Virginia that can be devised. Let
the State officers and authorities OF the
party be our wisest and ablest men. In
the districts and counties let the most in &.
teiligent, earnest, active, and practical men
OF the party be chosen as leaders, and re-
duce all incompetent, impractical WISE
acres and cranks everywhere TO the ranks.
Give us short, plain, practical, common
sense platform, such as all honest, fair
minded white men who are devoted 10 the
true interests OF Old Virginia can stand ON.
Let the Convention not fail to recognize
land declare the fact that the color-line Is