The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-11-30
spondinr feeling Of indIgnatIon among

I spondjuv feeling OF INDIGNATION among
all classes OF whites that ! pave nesci
seen equalled before In the STATE. Inc ex-
element was at fever beat. ADou. .Iis
| time came the decision of the Supreme
Court In the ciyil-rights bill. Aware, l
presume, that his colored support was
doubtful, Mahone's Washington organ
issued flaming editorials iayoring the en-
actment OF another civil-rights OH so
framed that the Supreme Court would DE
Obliged to declare il constitutional. Can
any one doubt that 1t was the purpose OF
Mahone's organ to band the colored people
together in his support, and to cement tne
band by the fever-heat OF excitement! In
this state OF unnatural excitement IN both
races, Is IL a matter OF surprise that a
trivial cause should have brought on col
| lson and riot in the town OF Danvilie!
Under the circumstances am
SURPRISED THAT THERE WERE NOT MORE RIOTS
at different points. Those who contributed
most TO this intense excitement are, in my
opinion. most to blame. / do not mean to
palIiate or extenuate the killing OF gu ct
and inofiending citizens, and | do not
doubt that the people OF Danville regret
the occurrence more than any other COM
muniiy, but do mean to say. with all the
positiyeness / can use, that 1 do not think
that the riot was part OF any precOncerted
or premeditated plan on the part OF the peo-
pie Of Danville or on the part OF the Demo
cratic party. There was no necessity on
the part OF the Democrats to resort to such
foul means to secure victory. The battle
had been fought and the victory won be-
fore this riot occurred. In the absence OF
motive. it is not proper to presume pre-
meditaled crime.
A riot resulting in similar loss OF life has
never before occurred in Virginia. sig
nificant fact which should be carefully
weighed by impartial minds. The evident
object OF Mahone's recent manifesto is to
pose before the country as martyr, and
thus force himself upon the Republican
party by an appeal to their generosity.
At the same time he appeals strongly 10
the colored race throughout the country,
hoping to band them together in sup
port OF his pretensiOns, and thus enforce
compliance with his demands il the Re
publican leaders should be unwilling to
take up his cause. II is an appeal in one
hand and a menace in the other. But
the colored people should remember that
Malone was no friend when the rccOo-
milton OF their rights as citizens was in
peril. He was their bitterest enemy in
Virginia then and long after. IL was not
until 1878, when he split off from the
Democracy. and needed votes TO beat his
enemies, that he began to appear rs lib
eral and friend TO The colOred race. His
pretended friendship is like all OF bis other
acts-the result OF interested and selfish
motives. lie cannot. like the loyal Re
publicans OF this State who have voted
with their party ever since the war, lay
claim to the higher plane OF humanity
which embraces in its sympathy all OF the
human race, wishing to each race
prosperity, advancement, and happiness.
Few men have ever had such golden OPP
portunites-such opportunities for bene.
tting large classes OF ciizens-and few
men have thrown away these opportunities
with such recklessness and with such con-
tempt and scorn FOR public opinion. His |
great delight seemed TO be TO initiate COM
where there were large Demo- |
cratic malorities, upon the principle, | |
suppose, that the boys tease the monkeys |
at the menaoerie; but he has not escaped |
the fate Of the luckless wight who VEN
tured too near. for the Democratic party |
has stretched forth a hand and taken his |
scalp. lie stands to-day bleeding and |
helpless. CRYING aloud to the Republicans |
to come to his assistance and rescue him |
from the results of his own FOLLY. |
He has by open trcachery and by |
hostile attack-for no good reason |
that the public can see-alienated and |
driven off many friends OF his party-Mas- |
,ey, Hale. LybrOok, Newberry, FulkersOn.
and many others too numerous TO men
ton. The only possible reason that i'm
partial persons can conjecture for this
course is desire TO instil into his party |
that fear and slaviSh submission which is
IN essential part OF Mahoneism. 1t re-
mains to be seen il the Republicans will
grant another opportunity to tins man OF
Ost opportunities. He has wrecked the
ReSdiuster party; he has wrecked every
hing he ever touched, and | venture to
predict that he will wreck the Re-
publican party unless they avail Of
he present opportunity TO get rid
If the dead weight. Every lover OF
MS country and OF republican insti-
utions should rejoice in Mahone's defeat
It is but another guarantee OF the bCneG-
,ence and permanance OF n republican
orm Of government among free and en-
ightened people. II is but another lesson
o future politicians thnt no party. no set Of
men, no matter how brilliant their present
uccesS, how fair their future prospects,
an aspire to administer the affairs OF this
lation or any part OF it, and retain their
power, unless they exercise it with wisdom.
ustice. fairness, and moderation. Lose
light OF these cardinal virtues. cease to
Practice them in the administration OF pub
ic affair, and an indignant public will ere
ong hurl the petty tyrant from bis tempo
airy throne. | trust and believe it will be
o rs long as the people are true TO them
elves, rs long as they love their country
nd its present form OF government.
rave the indulgence Of the public, and ,
rust that my desire TO assist them in I
SCREAMING the truth may to some extent
XcuSe the length OF my letter.
Respectfully, J. III. RIyEs,
hartman of the Republican State Central
Committee OF Virginia.