The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-11-08
The Race Issue.


justers, is simply ridiculous to those who
know the facts and are fair enough to adj |
nit of their logical Interpretation. 1t will
be remembered that the Bourbons, in their |
State Convention held in Lynchbuag, last
August, made bid for the negro vote in
the resolution adopted declaring for negro
trustees and negro teachers for negro
schools, exclusively, and white trustees
and white teachers for white schools. This
deceptive proposition, it was expected,
would induce many colored votes to be
cast with the Bourbon party. Those who
made it, did not stop to enquire whether
the plan suggested was practicable, or
whether it was not obnoxious to the con-
stitution nordid they consider whether
it promoted the efficiency of the colored
schools, and subserved the beneficent ends
for which the schools were instituted. 1t
was political device, regardless Of re-
suits. All sensible men regard it as such
and that its practical operation would be
to initiate against the colored schools, if
not eventually destroy them. The negroes
soon began to understand it in that way,
and manifested sagacity enough not to ac-
cept it as a friendly overture, OF scheme
that would inure to the advantage of
their children. For this reason they pro-
posed to reject it and give their adhesion
to the present plan which is working with
great success for the benefit of both white
and colored children. When it was found
that this superficial and insincere propo-
sition would not accomplish the object de-
sired, then it was that the determination
was reached to force the race issue and
encompass by appeals to passion and
prejudice that which could not be effected
by appeals to the record of the Bourbon
party. 1t was known that there was no
act on the part of that party which recon-
mended it to the confidence of the people
that the Iynchburg Convention had adj
mitted as much by endorsing all the legis-
lation affecting controverted questions
heretofore that had been enacted into law
by the Readjusters and thus abandoning
every issue of practical relation to the in
terests of the Commonwealth, there was
nothing left but to force the race issue and
endeavor to achieve success by that, and
that alone. The Democratic papers of tn
State virtually confessed this and following
up the admission the most wicked and reck-
less appeals were made to race feeling to
decide the contest. 1t was known that in
the four years control of the. Legislature
by the Readiusters, no act had been passed
OF bills introduced that proposed to change
the relation of the races. Every law enacted
looked to reforms in the interest of all the
people. There was nothing done that could
be fairly and honestly contorted into race
discrimination. The only ground for the in
PRODUCTION of the race question was that
the larger portion of the negro vote would
be cast for the Readjuster candidates, by
reason of the liberal views they main
tanned and the liberal legislation they en-
forced. They knew that without part
of this, and with the Readjusters holding
their own with the white voters, defeat
was inevitable. Left free to determine
| their choice on the merits of fact and leg
| islatiOn, there was no question that the
white vote of the Readjusters would be
largely increased, and to arrest them, and
| in the hope of winning back some Of the
| Readjuster voters who had been ordered
Lowell Committee, the race issue was pre-
cipitated and 1nfammatory appeals made
| to the passions of the people. Naturally
these appeals and the wicked denuncia-
tions which accompanied them, had a
tendency to solidify the colored vote, and
more desperate. AS the canvass pro-
crossed, and the indications grew more I'M
favorable each day. their appeals and in
vectives and epithets became more angry
and hitter. All citizens of Virginia who
chose to think differently from this ma
| lignant faction were denounced alike. And
this, because they believed it to be their
duty to the State and her best interests to
vote against them.
| This is the whole of it. They made no
suggestion or proposition that looked to
| the common good. Their record in the
past condemned them, and when they
learned how hopeless was their cause and
desperate the prospect of regaining the Of
| fees of the State, this last resort of the
race issue was availed of.
No act of the Readjusters- vote or
suggestion of the colored people of the
State, can he pointed to in justification of
such course. 1t was purely a desperate
resolve to regain the offices of the Com
monwealth at any cost, and with the Leg
islature once more in their power, to con-
tinue legislation hostile to the pest inter-
ests of the people and harmful to the pro-
gress and development of the Common
wealth.
In the light of their party racord, is there
| anything to sustain the reckless charge
| that the teachings of Mahonism'' cause d
the bloody riot at Danville, or favored the
race issue in this contest 2 There is not
fact or act to sustain the charge, and we
are left to but one conclusion, and that is
the Bourbons precipitated this race issue
as their only hope of capturing the legisla-
ture, and repossessing themselves of pow
er to prevent the enactment of laws which
are in contemplation by the Readjusters to
effect others and yet more important and
vital reforms in State affairs.
Whatever may be the result we will be
called upon to record in this issue of the
VIRGINTAN. the reasons and facts we have
advanced will stand for all time to come
to condemn the desperate partizanism that
has instigated the bad feeling that now ex-
lists, and which may seriously affect the
material prosperity of the State for years
to come. For this, let the responsibility
rest where it properly belongs, and the
people themselves be to blame if they shall
be handed over again to the tender mercies
of the Bourbon faction.
The day before the election Gov. Cam
eron, on the requisition Of the authorities
OF Danville sent the Richmond Light In
fantry Rifles and section of the Rich
mond Howitzers to that city to I've pres
at the polling of the vote on Tuesday. The
Governors instructions to Major Carter
were that he should report to the mayor