The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-11-29
Briefly Stated.


wealth from negro rule and to assure to
the people honest and good government.
This conclusion is based really upon the
assumption that a certain class of persons,
claiming to be better than another, will be
placed in offices which have been filled by
another class, who are judged not to be so
good, because they happen not to think
with the other upon questions of State
policy.
1t is difficult. if not impossible, to point
out in Virginia where the negro has ruled.
under either party, Or the possibility of his
ruling at any time in the future. The
negro, under the laws, has a vote. He, in
voting for the Readjusters, supported Viz
ginians as white as the Bourbons. White
men, with their aid, were elected to all
the important directed the affairs
of government, and administered them IN
the interests of all the people, irrespective
or race OF previous condition OF servitude.
The result of the negro's vote has been
to contribute largely to the advancement
of all the interests of the State-to give
| the people good government-to liberalize
public thought-to attract the attention OF
capital and enterprise from abroad, and IN
no way to operate against the public good.
The only difference seems to be that a
certain class of white Virginians were
placed in office, and certain other class
| invited out. The social standing, the in
telligence, the business qualifications OF
the Virginians holding position through
the negro vote, in part, compare favora-
bly, with that possessed by those who will
| be their successors. The difference is III
the impudent assumption of superiority
by the one, with no claim in blood, in edu-
cation, in moral character, OF any Other
trait, to justifyit
AS to the administration OF govern
ment, all admit that the Readjusters have
been eminently successful in ameliorlat
ing the condition of the people, in restor
ing public confidence, and contributing tt
the general welfare and peace OF commtl
nifty. In these the ''best people, hat
made lamentable failure. All interests
had suffered under their management. Ii
the test of experience, they were proven tt
be incapable of grasping the needs OF thu
people and operating government for thei
relief. They Numbered at every step. I'm
til the fearful accumulation Of wrongs
resulting from their imbecility and cor
ruption. caused universal alarm and de
spondency.
Mark: Virginians, to the manor born
in either case, the one rs brave, a
intelligent, as patriotic as the other, eacl
supported by legal voters, and each teste'
by the crucial of practical experience
with the Readjusters successful in sub
serving the interests of all the peopl
alike, and the Bourbons failing in ever
: instance to meet public demands and com
prehend State wants. And the Bourbon
or s'best people, too, admitting this b
formally resolving to accept and endors
all the legislation affecting State admins
tration that the Readjusters have enacte'
y approving the Readjusters and condemn
p ing themselves. Nor do they propose t
change anything that has been done, eS
cept to put in Office one set of white Vii
, ginians and turn out of office another sc
t of white Virginians.
, This is the exact situation. This is tn
, NEGRO rule' from which the State ha
been rescued. There is no ''bad govern
ment," which the Bourbons propose t
correct. They have won few offices, an
after disposing of them, according to thei
own showing, they do not propose to
farther If they attempt to do so, W
have their own record to show that the
: will make failure and infict harm no
only upon themselves, but upon the entir
3 State.
l Yet these elf-assumed "best people
4 would have the world believe that the
I have saved Virginia from virtual anarch
from vicious and corrupt government
I and that civilization has received marvel
Gus impetus in the success of a tactic
that has in the past proven itself to be
? positive curse to the State. This is tn
negro rule" which they have mouthed t
the country. Negroes voted with bot
parties and because a majority OF ther
: voted with the Readjusters, the result 9
which has been legislation that the ''bes
: people, approve and say they will not dis
: turb, the air is ladened with scream
/ about the terrible wrongs of negro rule.
> just people everywhere may judge TO
: themselves in the light of this truthful
|; and impartial statement Of the sit uation