Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-10-23
Whittier are we Drifting +?

Undef the lead OF MahOne, Cameron, and
their crew, it is easily to be seen where, un-
less we stop the drift and shut down the
fiood-gates, we shall find ourselves before
we know it; and that is in full social equal
ity with the negro. Let any observant per-
son bring his mind and memory to bear up
on the point and compare the condition of
affairs ten years ago in Richmond with the
present aspect. Then the negro was re-
spectful in his demeanor and kept his place,
but now he is aggressive and presumes up
on his rights as taught those rights by the
white men who associate with him in the
Coalition clubs on terms of the most ab-
solute equality, or who drink with him in
the negro saloons, or eat with him at the
same table. Now he holds himself loftily,
and in his own estimation, as in that of his
white colleagues and allies, is s'iust as good
as white man." And, indeed he is much
better than the class of so-called white men
who thus associate with him. But this ag-
gression is shown everywhere, and is be-
coming quite annoying, especially since the
Governor has placed his two negroes over
the white schools in Richmond. They see
by this that they are selected out from
among the people for the most important
positions in preference to white men. They
are selected by the Governor to rule over
the white women and white men of the
highest intelligence who are chosen to teach
our white children in our white schools; and
a preference of this kind accorded their race
is well calculated to increase their self-im-
portance and make them aggressive and in
solent. There is a very marked change in
the department of the whole race since Ma
hone has given them assurance of his coun-
tenance and support, and encouraged them
to act in this forward manner; and very
soon, unless the white people of Virginia
take the matter in their own hands and put
down their pretensions there will be no
such thing as living with the negroes in
Virginia. We must not shut our eyes to
what is going on around us and allow these
gradual encroachments upon the preroga-
tive of our race, or very soon the negro in
Virginia will be master not only of the po-
litical but of the social situation. He is
rapidly rising into power, and if this cleo
ton is carried by the Boss through our
apathy and over-confidence, we may look
TO see the negro double his demands and
grow uncomfortable in his insolence.
This is no fancy sketch, but an actual pic
ture of the rapid and inevitable change now
taking place in our society through the
agency of Mahoneism. People from the
North tell us of the changed condition of
society there, where now the negro is ad-
mitted to an equality socially with the white
race in their churches, theatres and schools,
and even in marriage, and if Mahoneism
continues to triumph in Virginia how long
will it be before we see the same things
here?
But this must be prevented for the sake
of both races. As true friends of the ne
gro, we desire to save him from the inevita-
ble consequence of the reaction that must
follow it, and result disastrously for him, if
he persists in this course. The people of
Virginia are willing to accord him all his
political and personal rights; will treat him
kindly and protect him from wrong and
harm; give him employment, and assist him
in every way to better his condition and
elevate himself morally and intellectually;
they will tax themselves to educate his chill
dren, and help HIM build his churches; pro-
vide asylums for the poor and helpless of
his race and in every way treat them as
they prove worthy; but they will not brook
pretension or insolence on their part, or al
low them to force themselves into associat-
ing with the white people, not even though
some may be found among the latter mean
enough to encourage and invite disgusting
amalgamations and admixtures of that de-
grading and unnatural kind.
We say our white people will not allow
this Africanization, politically and socially,
of their State, which Malone and his crew
are attempting, and the negroes may as well
understand it first as last. The best blood
of Virginia will rule Virginia now and in
the future, as it has in the past, and all who
stand in the way to prevent it, or who pro-
pose to mongrelize and degrade her social
condition, will be swept away by the whirl
xuind Of bar iuJi ant for
attempt.
And this is the point to which we are
drifting, and which we shall soon reach,
unless in the coming election the overthrow
of Bossism at the ballot-b box shall return
the people of Virginia to power, by restor-
ing the Commonwealth to the tranquil and
beneticent rule of the Democracy Rich
mond State.