Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-06-05
No prejudice against the Negro.
The Dispatch, in reply to charge that it
i j.

The Dispatch, in reply to charge that it
is prejudiced against the negro, says
'.Not bit of it. We are as destitute of
prejudice against the negro as anybody in
the world. We know and appreciate all
his good qualities. We never abuse him
never ridicule him-never say a word in
tended to hurt his feelings. He is nothing
but grown child unable to take care of
himself. But for his white surroundings he
would be unable to maintain his civilization,
we guess, though this, Of course, we do not
know. 1t is in this light that we look at
him. We ask him only to keep in his place.
This country is always going to be ruled by
white people North and South, this feel
ing is almost universal. The negro will be
much happier if he will cease to wage an
unequal contest with the laws of nature
He will be better circumstanced wherever
he gracefully yields to the white mans
rule
And this, says the Richmond State, ex-
actly states the position and sentiments of
white people in Virginia and in the South
who form the bulk of the Democratic party.
Against the negro they have no ill-feeling.
In fact, as laboring class, as peasantry
they prefer colored to white people in the
same positions, because they have from
their birth been used to their service and
have not become accustomed to the same
offices from white people, and never will.
The State can truly say it does not harbor
one bitter thought against the negro be-
cause of his color or condition. So long as
he keeps in his proper place, the place he
was intended by nature to fill, and which
he can fill SO well, it will always protect
him in all his rights and treat him with that
kindness and consideration which is his due.
But when he makes war upon the white
people who support him and protect him,
and returns evil for good, by allying him
self with their enemies to their great injury,
and accepts positions which place him over
them in authority, such as this man Paul,
tell him plainly that his course will not be
tolerated. He receives his employment for
his support, the education of his children,
the means to build his churches, everything
that he needs to make life pleasant, from
the white people, but for whom he would
be in worse condition than his savage an
cestors in the wilds of Africa, and surely he
owes some gratitude, some Difference, some
thanks to that white race which has SO long
and so well befriended watched over, and
protected him, which has advanced him to
his present high grade of Civilizations
grade above that Of the Mongolian and
even of the Indian, and only below that of
the white man. But how does he return
this good that we have done him at all
times ? Need we say? Why, by joining in
with the enemies Of our people on all occa-
sions, and turning against his best friends.
He repays the good he has received by evil,
in seeking at every election to render abor
tive all the wise and beneficent efforts we
have been and are still making for his ma
terial and moral advancement, and the i'm
provement of his general condition. It is
only necessary for him to know what we de-
sire him to do, to determine him to do the
opposite, though it be in the very face Of
his own advancement.
This the white, the superior, the ruling
racein Virginia, will not permit, no matter
what it may cost to prevent it and secure
social order throughout the Commonwealth.
We want to treat the colOred people
with kindness, and will treat them in that
way, but in return we demand the same
good treatment at their hands. The kind
ness must not be all on one side.