National Republican., 1883-06-19
THE VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS.
The Forthcoming Convention at Lynch-
burg--The ohsirmanship Thought to
Have Value.

""k-Nhu bneHmhhship NhouKht TO
Have n Value.
Special Letter.
RICHMOND, VA, June 1s.-The political
eye of Virginia is now turned to the approach
ing state convention which the bourbon
funder party will hold in Lynchburg next
month. Already leading members of that oft
defeated faction are arranging plans and
schemes which they expect to have in
n shape to be easily swallowed by a
convention, which WILL without fear
of indigestion, accept any resolution op-
posing progress and stultifying advancement
on the part of the state. 1t is the most i'm
portant political fight Virginia has ever had
before her, and II the signs Of the timos are
read Alright land they surely seem to be) tho
liberal party will put In a death blow next fall
which will crush bourbonism so fiat that it
will never rise again.
Delegates to this convention have already
been appointed in somo parts of the state.
None of them, however, seem TO know the
real object Of the convention. One was can
did enough to confess to-day that he was in
favor of changing tho constitution and up
setting everything the readiuster party has
done, even TO wiping out the debt settlement
and romodeling the new supreme court,
which is composed of FIVE as upright and
learned men as any faction can put for
ward or boast Of These candid ac-
acknowledgements are only brought out
to show the bitterness existing toward
that party which has rs bright aud as fair
record rs the most cxactng politician would
hope for or ever expect TO see by the bourbon
funder faction. Tho empty honor of being
the chairman Of the Lynohburg convention Is
coveted by more than u few shining lights in
the bourbon ranks. but Mr.. Barbour, one of
the very few congressman that the bourbon
party of Virginia possesses, seems TO be the
favorite of Messrs. Kelley, Koiner, and COM
pany. He is also the fayorito of the
railway magnates, and If he obtains the nom
ination the inference to DO drawn is that the
railways of Virginia will give their aid and
assistance to the bourbon party in the coming
elections. That is to say tho bourbons will
have plenty of money furnished them 10
carry on their crusade against their
native state, and will work in harness
with these rich railway corporations, who
will OF course expect recompense from
their bourbon allies in tho shape of railway
charters and bills worded to suit these corpo-
ratiOns regardless of the injury tho common
wealth may sustain thereby. Tho bourbons
will have to secure the next legislature in
order to repay these railway corporations, and
Mr.. Barbour no doubt will put his claims for
a seat inthe United States senate, when several
years roll around, upon the strength of his
having done valuable service to his party by
having "roped in wealthy corporations to
furnish money to the bourbon party in the
campaign of 'S3.
he colorod man, or the "nigger," as the
bourbons now call him, is likely to play
prominent part in the Lynchburg convention.
Ne will not be permitted to vote, but will
figure between lines in many of the resolu-
tions that will be offered, and if platform
is adopted-and one will surely be-tho
colOred straightouts," who supported the
bourbons in many counties during the re-
cent election, will be tickled with high
sounding sentences and the most glowing
adjectives obtainable will be coupled wish
their names.
If tho colored vote received by the bourbon
party in the county elections last month
leaves that party this fall it will be like tho
dropping out of the bottom of bucket.
Yet the bourbons cry "Down with the
nigger and up with class legislation"
notwithstanding the fact that to tho
colored vote they owe the reelection
of many of their county officers. A war of
races is threatened simply because the pres
ent state board of education appointed two
colored trustees on the Richmond school
board, notwithstanding the fact that prece-
dent was established by former state board
with Walker, Kemper, and Holiday figuring
as presidents of the boards.
1t is reported that the most virulent of the
Dourpon-1underS, so bitter are they to the
oolored race, have determined in future to
reject all United States treasury notes ON
"greenbaclSs," bearing the signature of "B.
kH Bruce, register of the treasury" it having
been ascertained by them that he is lin their
parlance) "a niger" They prefer copper
head cents TO paper issues authonti-
Gated by an official who is not classed
with the "best people" Brokers, how
ever, say that "Greenbacks" will continue
In nj loft Mt IA IN, ,Iny afll al
with negrophobia refuses to handle or receive
them. Indeed, there is some murmurng in
select democratic circles against ex-Judge
Christian (funder), of the hustings court of
Richmond, for having authorized the sum
mons of colored jurors in the court to pass
judgment in cases in which white people
were solely interested. An amendment of
the constitution to prevent repetition of the
outrage is said to be seriously contemplated.