The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-11-27
Letter from Judge Isaac III. Chris
tfau-AnOther Coalition Canard MS

posed OF.
WILCOX WHARF, CHARLES CITY COUNTY, !
November "a, 1888. J
To the Editors of the Dispatch:
Gentlemen, Concerning the statements
circulated br oadcast over the country thai
voters were intimidated at the late cleo
ton and before in this county, and mar
killed, &C., please allow me to say through
your columns that the whole thing is
sheer fabrication.
The colored man, Jones, who was re-
ported as killed in fight ut Robbery JUS
before the election, had slight cut on the
forehead by some ones fist, or a weight
thrown in a fight, the wound being very
slight. and not disabling him In the least
TIE occasion Of the fight was a meeting
appointed by Mr. Nance, the Coalition can.
didate for the House. There were mum,
Der OF colored people and few whites pre-
sent. Mr.. Nance; Mr.. Tinsley. Straight
out candidate for the House; Mr.. Odell,
Democratic candidate, and Captain John
Lamb discussed the issues Of the campaign.
At the close Of the discussion was called
on. as the Democratic candidate for the
Senate, and made short, playful speech,
which was received with good humor and
the applause of both sides.
Just as closed. in the store behind us q
fight occurred between the sons OF Mr..
Tinsley and some colored men, and Others
rushed in to separate them. The fight was
carried on for some minutes. but no fire
arms or knives were used. The merchant,
Mr.. Walker. and his clerks, as did also Mr.
Stagg, white justice, and X. G.. W. Jones,
a colored Justice, who was the chairman OF
the meeting, and others, both white and
colored, made strenuous efforts to stop the
fight, and it was queIled with no damage
to any one except the slight hurt alluded
to. Captain Lamb, our county chairman,
and other gentlemen, were conspicuous in.
their efforts to prompt the justices and
assist them in keeping the peace.
There was not one particle OF political
feeling exciting the people, as between the
Democrats and the Coalitionists. As an
evidence OF this, young Jones. who was
struck and reported as killed, while he
voted for Mr.. Nance for the House, also
voted for me for the SCnate-that is, he
said before the election he would do so,
and as he is very independent man be-
lieve he did.
There was no intimidation used any
where in this county by our friends. But
here and throughout this senatorial dis
trict the greatest good feeling prevailed.
The colored people by scores attended the
splendid barbecues given by the Demo
Gratis and partook OF their hospitality, and
we attended the meetings of the Coalition
ists, and were received with great kind
ness by them.
| had number Of special invitations to
address meetings of the colored people OPP
posed TO me. Had my friends been insult
ing and brow-beating them, as reported.
this would not have occurred. But while
there was no intimidation or threat any
where that have heard OF, there was the
almost superhuman effort OF our gallant
and patriotic friends under the leadership
Of Phil. Gibson, in King William, and John
ID. Odell and George Fitchett, in the Pc
ninsula counties and Williamsburg and
Hampton, to persuade and encourage their
colored friends to help them to redeem a
district almost hopelessly against them, and
to relieve the State from tyranny that had
become unbearabe.
While carrying their banner was privl-
legged to see their fight, and how grandly
they made ii. With large majorities against
lHNtu III tfCls toh III Nuu OOuIltN III tIC ulH-
trict, aggregating thousands, they fought
and toiled as men flushed with the Ger
tainty Of victory, and came near winning,
too.
What il they did 20 down in the fight |?
They have the satisfaction Of knowing that
the State is redeemed, and that tits theirs
to join the note Of triumph that swells the
threats of the pious and patriotic people Of
Virginia from the mountains to the sea.
The fame OF the allied armies before Sa-
bastopol will live in history. But the
chivalry OF the brave "six hundred" who
at Balaklava charged "into the Jaws OF
DEATH" "while all the world mourned,"
will be recited in story and song while
men admire the spirit that prompts to sac
rifice at the altar OF duty.
1t was by conciiiation and kindness that
hundreds OF independent colored men
were won to the Democratic party in these
counties, against threats OF social and
church ostracism and warnings by their
leaders that their liberties were involved
and not safe in the hands OF the Democrats.
now that the civil-rights provision had been
decided against them.
This policy OF Cancellation will continue,
and the gallant gentlemen all over this dis
trict who made this fight will make it
again until the district and counties are
won. Nor will they be much annoyed now
by the venom OF Pantheon arrows flung
back by the yanquished in his ignoble
flight. ISAAC III. CHRISTIAN.