The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-01
Major vaidcn's ReiOindcr.
LOFTY RETREAT, NEW KENT co., va.
August so, 1893.


August 80, 1893.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch
Your hitherto uniform courtesy would
naturally lead me TO iorbear pressing for
more space in yd0r paper, but in your IS
sue OF 2Sth instant appears certificate
from certain parties, taken from the North
errl- Neck Ne,rS. that demands notice ut my
hands.
The said parties, excepting DR.. Douglas.
do not claim 10 have ever heard the whole
OF the so-called discussion between Mr..
Jones and myself. j believe there are men
opposed to me politically, who measure up
to the full standard OF gentlemen, and one
such was sitting in the audience that day,
whom / never met before TO know per-
sonally, Mr. Thomas CroXton, OF Essex,
and am willing to abide his decision as
to the general correctness OF the following
statement. | do not mean to say there were
not others, but ! was stranger in War
saw. At any rate, il | were on oath this
would be my recollection OF what passed !:
First. That an offer had been rendered
prior. and at the time OF speaking, for
Joint discussion; that no one intimatcd
purpose or wish to accept the invitation.
Secondly. That at the close OF my
speech, when / thought there would be no
reply, did Mr.. CroXton understand that
had endorsed Governor Cameron, Blair,
and Farr in their action in regard to the
School Board in Richmond city or not 2
| do not think there could be two opinions
as TO my position. | said Governor Came
ron had precedents set him in this matter
by former Governors OF Virginia, and in
School Board consisting OF nine members
and a school population OF less than 5000,
5000 OF whom were negro children, did
think it right. IN view Of their oaths OF
Office, TO appoint two colored trustees TO
look after the interest OF their people. My
position was this That these men were
qualified for the place, the only objection
being, rs | understood the Democratic
press. their color. This has been my posi-
ton upon this matter all the time.
In Mr.. Jones's speech he SAID he had
taken notes upon me, bushwhacking,
when he was challenged to an open and
fair discussion OF the issues. In the course
Of his remarks he reached this subject, and
proceeded to arraign Paul, one OF the
Richmond Board. He drew Il strong pie
ture OF this mans insolent bearing-that
Paul had said in speech at Warsaw that
no poor white man OF Richmond county
could cross his legs under his mahogany
tables-that Paul had had seventeen white
teachers removed and colored ones put in
their stead-that his Unsuitable demands
had to be rebuked by one Mr. Reddy, dc. :;
and when he had completed the picture,
turned TO me. who was sitting in the au-
dence, and asked if Major Walden would
endorse such a course on the part Of Cam
cron's appOintee? / arose and said
That il these things were true-and
| was not prepared to deny them-that
/ lrOuld not 90 so far as TO endorse
any man who proved himself unified for
| the position, let him be appointed by Cam
eron or any one else. had in my speech
tried, as | usually do, TO give the cOlored
people some wholesome advice in regard
| to their general department, which i must
| think met the appreciation OF men OF AL
parties. | advised them 10 be retiring
rather than thrusting themselves forward,
and rs an illustration said ii there Is a
pitcher OF water on the bench OF the bar.
advise the colored man to let it alone !;
| that one man pushing himself forward to
drink with the lawyers would do more
! harm than twenty OF the best colOrcd pcO-
pie could rectiiy. This had said in my
speech, and when Mr.. Jones said what he
did Of Paul, | did take the opportunity
again OF abiding to this as a case in point,
where one unfortunate appointment could
do great harm for want of proper courtesy
and respect TO others. | regret that gem
tleman OF DR.. Douglass intelligence failed
to see the distinction. 1 did not endorse
Paul, rs pictured by Mr.. Jones. | think
the general reader can see the consistency
OF my position.
Thanking you again for your kindness,
promise that this shall end my say in the
matter. Respectfully, V. Walden.