The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-20
the Color Line Democrats CONVEX"
ton.
r. an Is<s.to.. NJ fas Diendfch.

ton.
To the Editor of the Dispatch
As tbe Lynchburg Convention VIII , mers
IN a few DAYS, would like to address .,le =,
again briefly In favor OF the expediency Vi
having coior-Iine plank In their piatlorm'
7 do THIS because few-yery few-DsnU
cratic papers have heretofore, ana pernaps
| do now. express opposition TO II, anu ~
nrcheud that their influence may De Ieit III
Tho Convention. Whilst ! would not oe-
tract in the slightest degree from the devo-
tion of these gentlemen to the princip,es
Of the Democratic party or from .ne
nurity OF their motives, i 90 ainin
| Il Is my belief. based upon an extensive
CORRESPONDENCE with intelligent men va
/ inc marty from nearly every portion o.. Tue
state. that they Qhese politicians VINO ure
epdcavoring to create and iead PuDnss
opinion upon this question are TAR Denlha
the great masses OF the people themselves
whose instincts are apt TO lead them arignt'
There il. in my judgment. almost UNI
! yersa demand upon the part OF tueso wv
ter for the adoption OF the color llne' or,
rather. for the maintenance OF 1t. IL having
already been raised by the Coan'
lion marty. The writer desires III
the interest OF all classes that tne
educafion OF the negro shall be properly
locked after: he desires In common WIN
tho Great body OF the Democratic party 10
Gee him enjoy all Of the benefits to when
he IL entitled under the Constitution OF the
limited States. as well as upon the score OF
the HIGHEST humanity. do not entertain
tbe slightest doubt that the Democrats OF
VirC,nia are the true friends OF the colored
man. and would go further to promote ms
real wel-being and happiness than wou'd
the marty OF white men who are now
endeayorinp TO use him to overthrow
them rs n party TO humiIiate and degrade
them rs n proud, brave race OF men, ana 10
seriously impair all OF their interests as
citizens. The time, / believe. will soon
come when they will realize that they have
been misled to their own injury, and VIII
at last recognize their real friends but it
is not vet. They are, on the contrary, now
banded together almost rs one man IN OPP
position to the parry composed OF n
large majority OF the white men OF the
State. Under this state OF things.
which no man will deny, what is the
clear. unmistakablc, imperative duty OF the
white men Of Virginia in this mOmentous,
terrible crisis of their history! Is it not well
to learn lesson from the enemy, and band
ourselves together a one man for the sake
Of GOOD government and for preserving
thc morals, happiness, and purity OF our
race ? The recent appointment OF negroes
on the Richmond School Board, the adOp-
tion only n week or two since by the negro
Press Convention at -. Louis. declaring
i'm favor OF the cOeducatiOn OF the races, OF
mixed schools. &C.. all 90 to show the I'M
perative necessity OF united, strong, and
decisive action by the Lynchburg Conven'
ton.
In all State and national elections the ne
groes vote almost solinly against us. II
we were to agree to give them everything
that the COalitiOnists promise them; II we
promised them school trusteeships, mixed
schools. half OF the State offices, and every
thing else they might desire. we could not
get their votes. Ephraim is joined to his
idols and will not for any consideration be
separated from them. Ii this be true, then
why endeavor to conciliate him by not
drawing the colOr-lne? The only elect,
so far as he is concerned. would be 10 eX-
cite his contempt at our folly and cTedulity.
No. gentlemen; rely upon it that your only
hope of success next fall is in drawing the
color-line, and thereby bringing out the
almost solid white vote OF the State against
the solid negro vote.
Make this the issue, and you Will mfuse
new hope and energy among the masses
of the white men; you will give them
something to fight for which will make
their arms and efforts invi-cible. On the
other hand, leave this issue out OF the can
vass, and you will impart paralytic shock
to YOUR party which will cause its certain
defeat. our enemies know this, aud are
earnestly praying that you may leave
it out. Gentlemen Of the. Cnven--
ton, let me beg that you Will
not allow yourselves to be influenced by
few politicians, but regarding the wishes
OF the great masses of your party, put
color-line plank in Jour platform and
adopt such other State issaes as the times
demand, and you will entitle yourself to
the warmest thanks OF every good manand
patriot in the State.
Do this. and you will rescue your state
from the hands OF those whose continuance
in power threatens TO destroy utterly her
moral, social, and material fabric.
DEMOCRAT.