The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-05-13

I
debt settlement party measure conseJ
The defeated Republicans. who Rein
no interest whatever In the STATE.
reputation and honor. 10 follow The
standard hoisted in revolt against the
regulars. The Conservatives did NOT mea.
sure the strength OF the two forces combined
untli u was too late, and they woke up to
the TACT that they had lest the State by In
ertion. Flushed with victory, Mahone's
power was yet an unstable thing without
the cooperation OF the entire Republican
clement. Holding together his white fol-
lowers by promise 10 secure n reduction
Oh the debt. II was necessary TO give some
proofs OF his intention 10 respond TO the
demands made by his Republican allies.
rus ne proceeded to do by ignoring
the claims OF white Confederate soldier
and giving his place 10 a negro. He next
inveighed against the capitation-tax pre-
payment and the whipping-post law in
such manner ~ 10 convince his "faithful
allies that he was In earnest IN promising
to accomplish the reforms they demanded.
so that when the campaign OF 1881 was in
alIguraied he WIS prepared to hurl against
the Democrats the combined disconnected
whites and now hopeful blacks. and he
was again successful.
This result was followed by reduction
OF the debt, the repeal of the capitation-tax
prepayment, and the whipping-post law.
and an appropriation OF 500, 600 for n col
ored normal school-all Of which tended
to assure the colored people Of the sincer;-
~ OF Mahonc's professions. But the men
who stopped TO fraternize with iglo-
rance and superstition felt that they
had places Of profit, and not reputa-
tons to lose, II they failed to meet
with concessions the demands OF their
faithful allies" and hence we hear
OF the appointment OF two colored men
in Richmond as school trustees to visit the
schools Of that city and question the white
teachers as to their duties. Oh, We gods.
did carpet-bagism ever present in the States
they misgoveIned bouquet more oGorous
OF the mud and fifth of politics than this (?
We do not blame colored men for voting
for their own race. but who can find words
OF eXecraiion for the miserable white men
who make public professions Of desire to
place the negro upon an equality with
themselves:
And because the instincts Of better white
men revolt against the degradation to which
the Mahoneites have descenGed-because
better white men protest against the low
E
herents OF bOssiSm 10 retain their grip upon
the colored voter, we are, forsooth, twitted
by the groyeiling worShippers Of ignorance
with endeavoring 10 incite war Of races.
Well, yes; let IL be q war Of races but
war waged with ballots TO ovcrwhelm with
shame and defeat the degraded beings who
are reviying the evils OF carpet-bag govern
ment IN a southern State Clarke Courier.
Negroes a. school Directors.
The appointment by the Mahoneites OF
two negroes rs members OF the School Board
Of the city OF Richmond has, as was eX-
pected. created considerable comment. II
is very proper that the people Of Rich
mond should protest against this action, if,
as has been alleged, the educational inter-
esls OF that city are likely TO suffer thereby.
We think that the appointment OF these
negro members Of the Board was done for
political reasons only, and with no desire
to increase. or even 10 maintain, the present
high standard TO which the Richmond
schools have attained. Ii the negroes were
appointed for the simple purpose OF secur-
ing their support Of the Malone party, then,
inasmuch as political aggrandizement was
the sole motive, educational interests must
suffer-for the ignorant support OF 4 wrong
moral principle cannot be compatible with
the furtherance of the cause OF education.
1t goes without saying that in the State
Of Virginia there are not dozen negroes
capable of filling so important position.
There are not many whites who are by ma
tive intelligence and by acquired education
fitted for the discharge OF the duties Of 4
director Of educational interests.
The negro is unfit for such an office for
two reasons First, on account of his ig
nOranee. which renders him incompetent
TO grasp the true educational idea-the
systematic unfolding Of the intellect; and
secondly. because Of his race instinct and
prejudice. He has never, in matters OF less
vital importance. shown himself able to
rise superior to small antagonism, but,
with narrowness Of mind and littleness OF
disposition. has ever suffered himself to be
led against those who are his best friends,
nasmuch rs they are the manufacturers
and employers who have need for his ser
vices.
IL entire absence OF intellectual force
and narrowness Of mind are calculated TO
promote the cause Of education, then the
Readjusters are justified in their appoint
ment OF negroes to direct the operations OF
the schools.
II not. then there is but an additional
reason 10 wipe out party which, based on
Ignorance. would elevate ignorance above
intellect. and thus paralyze the noblest
work OF all. the work Of education.-Pe-
terSbur9 Mdu.