Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-11-28

of whites that | have never seen equalled
before in the State The excitement was at
fever heat. About this time came the de-
cision Of the Supreme Court in the Civil
Rights BILL Aware, | presume, that his
colored support was doubtful, Mahone's
Washington organ issued flaming editorials
lavoring the enactment of another civil
rights bill, SO framed that the Supreme Court
would be obliged TO declare ii constitutional.
Can any one doubt that it was the purpose
of Mahone's organ to band the colored peo-
Pile together in bis support and to cement
the band by the fever-heat of excitement?
In this state of unnatural excitementin both
races, is it a matter of surprise that trivial
cause should have brought on collision
and riot in the town of Danvile:
Under the circumstances, l am sur
prised 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
palliate or eXtenuate the killing of quiet
and inoflending citizens, and do not doubt
that the people of Danville regret the &C.
currenee more than any other community,
but do mean to say, with all the positive
ness can use, that do not think that the
riot was part of any preconcerted or pre-
meditated plan on the part of the people OF
Danvile or on the part of the Democratic
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 before this
riot occurred In the absence of motive, 1t
is not proper to presume premedllated
| crime.
A lot resulting in similar loss Of life has
never before occurred in Virginia. y signiti-
cant fact which. should be carefully weighed
hy impartial minds. The evident object Of
Mahone's recent mamie sto is to pose before
the countryas maryr,a and thus force him.
SELF upon the republican party by al. appeal
to their gene, osity. At the same time he APP
pcals strongly TO the colored race throughout
the country, hoping to band them together
in support of his pretensions, and thus en-
force compliance with his demands if the
republican leaders should be unwilling to
take up his cause. 1t is an appeal in one
hand and menace in the other. But the
colored people should remember that Ma
hone was no friend when the recognition Of
their rights as citizens was in peril. He was
their Interest enemy in Virginia then and
long after. 1t was not until 1878, when he
split Off from the democracy, and needed
votes to beat his enemies, that he began TO
!
ored race. His pretended friendship is like
all Of his other acts-the result of interested
and selfish motives. He cannot, like the
! loyal republicans 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 prosperi-
ty advancement and happiness. Few men
have ever had such golden opportuni-
li"s--such opportunities for heneitin@
large classes of citiZcns-and few men
have thrown away these opportun-
ties with such rccklessncss and with
such contempt and scorn far public opinion.
His great delight seemed TO be 1" irrilatc
communities where there were large dem
ocr:,tic ma oritics, upon the principle, sup
pose, that The boys tease the monkeys at
the mcnagerc; but he has not escaped the
fate of the luck less wight who venLured too
near, for the democratic party has stretched
forth hand and taken his scalp. He
stands to day bleeding and helpless, crying
aloud 10 the republicans to come TO his as
sstance and rescue him from the results OF
his own folly. He has by open trcachery
and by hostile attack-lor no good reason
The public can alienated and driven oil
many friends of his party: Massey, Hale,
| !
| Others too numerous TO mention. The only
possible reason that impartial persons can
conjecture for this course is a desire 10 in
still into his party that fear and slavish sub
mission which is an essential part of Ma
honeism # remains TO he seen If the re-
puhlicans will grant another opportunity to
this man of lost opportunities. He has
wrecked the readiuster party; he has
wrecked everything he ever touched, and
venture 10 predict that he will wreck the re-
publican party, unless they avail Of the
present opportunity TO get rid of the dead
weight. Every lover of his country and Of
republican institutions should rejoice in Ma
homes defeat. 1t is but another guarantee
of the bcneticence ami permanencc Of re-
publican form Of government among n free
and enlightened people 1t is hut another
| lesson 10 future politicians, that no party,
no set of men, no matter how brilliant their
present. success, how fair their future pros
poets, can aspire TO administer the affairs OF
this nation or any part of it, and retain their
power, unless they exercise it with wisdom,
Justice, fairness and moderation. Lose
sight of these cardinal virtues, cease to prac-
tce them in the administration public af-
fairs and an indignant public will ere long
hurl the petty tyrant from his temporary
throne. trust and believe it will he so as
long as the people are true to themselves,
as long as they love their country and its
present form of government. | crave the
indulgence Of the public, and trust that my
desire to assist them in ascertaining the
truth may TO some extent excuse the length
of my letter. Respectfully,
J. III. RIvFS,
Chairman OF the Republican State Central
Committee of Virginia.
IT Is stated that not only will Rddlehcr-