The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-15
rrrom tho rincssi'c Herald

- y
wHYNE LEFT rue coALrTIosIsTs--As orNS
LETTER, REPIETE WITH STRONG r'INiS'
WoopBouRyg, BoTETorRT COUNTY, Va
September 8, 1883. }
Benjamin Hdden, Esq. Eincastie, Fd.'
Nv Dear sir-Having been assailed as
traitor to my party and its principles l neg
10 saw word TO you Us my friend ana rela-
tive. and through you to my brother"kead
iusters of Botetourt, in vindlcation OF my
self. shall endcavor to give you pam
statement OF facts without any feeling OF
malice or bitterness towards any man OF
set az men with whom / may differ upon
poitical questions. =,
II is known TO you that was an original
Geadjuster, and for over two years held an
important State office, which was rendered
me as a Readiuster. and which Office re-
signed at time when | had the warmest
and most positive assurance that could
retain it II i desired TO do so. j was ne
adjuster after the straitest sect, according
TO my understanding Of Rtadiuster princi-
pies. and under similar circumstances
would still be Readjuster. was In favor
OF settlement OF the debt question; in
favor OF sustaining our school system; oil
ElAlllU 10 our UNNluillN INV nNNtHrhy ~
for their proper maintenance; in favor oil
abolshing the capitation-taX rs a pre-
requisite TO voting. and in favor OF sllch
reforms as were necessary in order to give
us government "by the people and
for the people" was opposed then and
am now to rings, cliques, Bourbonism.
and siar-chamber edicts. | was opposed
then and am now TO trading upon the GU
piditv or ignorance of the cOlorcd man for
selfish purposes. | was in favor then and
am now Of giving to the colored man all
the rights and privileges TO which he Is en-
titled under the law, and opposed to pan
dering for his vote by creating the hope
and aspiration OF becoming socially and
politically the equal OF the white man
hobes and aspirations that will surely Gull
inmate in the most deplorablc events for
the social and governmental rule OF the
white race brooks no peer from another
and inferior race. The Richmond Wing
caims-and | acknowledge the claim -that
the "Readiuster party has done all that
il promised TO do, and MORE" and has
been OF great benefit TO the material inter-
est Of Virginia. then you would ask why
| resigned my office and LETT the party? |
answer that / resigned my office first be-
cause was tired OF public life and pre-
fcrred my home among the mountains to
any office, and because | considered the
mission OF my party a. filled, and that
there was no longer any need for its exist
ence, and / could in no way and in no
sense be connected with party that, after
having accomplished its high purpose, was
being led into the Republican ranks. |
most highly respect the man who is Re-
publican upon principle, and want all
such TO have free vote and q
fair count; but, as my principles are
more Democratic than his, / can't
go with him: and | tell you now that
the present struggle for State supremacy
is a simple contest between Republican,
ism and Democracy, and the DISCUSSES of
ReSliusierism and Liberalism are only
used to lead you into the Republican
ranks, there to serve the purposes OF a
selfish ambition. National Republicanism
and Repubicanism in the northern States
is a widely different thing from Republic
clnism in Virginia. There it means states
and responsibility, with many
sharp practices in State craft and gene
raj feeling OF distruSt OF the South and
to degrade and fleece her peo-
pie by a system OF taxation that is unequal
and unjust, and by claiming for the south
err negro political rights and social privi-
leges and rights which they scorn to allow
him among themselves.
Why should the tobacco which grow be
subjected to a high rate Of taxation whilst
the various articles OF New England man
ufacture ere encouraged and protected by
4 tariff And where in all the North will
you find negro revenuC-collcctOr, 4 negro
postmaster or postal agent, negro State
legislator, or negro congressman?
of the Republican party in
Virginia is composed OF negroes, and al-
ready they are clamorouS for Office and
their speakers talk flippantly about their
rights and predict a speedy termination Of
all race prejudice. Give them school trus-
tess to overlook white teachers in white
schools, and in little time you will have
mixed schools. STRAIGHTFORWARD pale face
alongside of nappy-headed Gully, and each
imbibing knowledge from the same
pure fountain; and then how long
do you suppose it would be I'M
til society would present as many yarie-
gated hues as the rainbow? Does the pic
Iure please your Ii not l pray you, my
ReadiuSter brethren, to let no delusion, no
syren song, no personal pique or preiu-
dice, induce you to forget the duty YOU owe
TO your children, your State, and to your
selves, by joining hands with this Repub-
lican purity. 1t has taken the Caucasian
race, with the light of Heaven be:ming
upon its countcnance. many centuries OF
labor TO reach the present state
Of civilization. 1t has taken 4 long time to
hand lal.np fn machine lahng .
from bridlC-path TO a railroad from
horse mail to locomotive, telegraph,
and a telephone; from tallOw dipto kero-
sene and Gagged lightning; and how can il
be expected that a race of people .
taken ont of state OF barbarism
and held in slavery for more than
two hundred years should be capable OF
making laws for and debating to the white
man! For these reasons cannot leave The
Democratic party and go to the Republic
cans and ii that be treason to my party,
to my State, or to myself, then indeed
deserve the name OF traitor. | have re-
Gently met with some Readiusters, notably
Q member OF the last Legislature, who said
the only trouble with them was the Gear
that should the next Legislature be Demo-
cratic it would undo the good work which
had been done by the Re&diusters. In an
swer to that say that TO undo that work
would be to ialsify the solemn pledge OF
great national party in convention assem-
bled, and to violate weIl-known
and fixed principle in human nature.
The benefits arising from the settle
ment OF the debt question are enjoyed
alike by Fundcr and Readjuster, by
Democrat and Republican. and no one
ever heard Of a set o. men that voluntarily
assumed pecuniary obligation after beng
legally relieved OF it. Ii is folly and
delusion to suppose that any Legislature
will ever undo the settlement OF the debt
question. The settlement is final. Then
where is the necessity for the Readjuster
party longer to exist? IL originated i'm