The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-11-08
The Negro as a Citizen.

las its application to both, and is designed
20 reach impartial minds and invite their
and dispassionate consideration.
For several days previous to the cleo |
ton, it was common thing to hear upon
the streets the excited expressions-th |
negro must go'-it is an issue between the |
white and black races, and the white man
who does not stand up with his race must |
be forced to take sides with and treated as
it is proposed in future to treat the negro
that the line has been drawn, and socially,
in business, and in politics, there must be
a severe distinction, while ostracising all
who donot vote with the Democrats.
These and like incorporate expressions
have been common of late, indicating the
entire abandonment of reason and the full
and complete sway of passion and preJu-
dice.
The negro is citizen of the State and
the United States, He is so by reason OF
fundamental and statute law Federal and
State. He is to the manor born. He
stands on his native heath, hedged in and
protected by all the sanctities Of law and
Constitution, and has as many legal rights
as any other citizen and is as much enti-
tied to their enjoyment, He is here to
stay, unless his own vOlition should lead
him to seek home in another portion OF
our common country, where the same
rights pertain to him, guaranteed by the
same authority that he claims under here.
There is no power on earth to force him
to .sgo''-there is no legal power to abridge
his rights OF contract his liberties. lie
has the right to acquire property, to en-
gage in any business avocation, to exercise
political franchises, to vote with such par
ty as he may please, and for such candi-
dates as he may select, and no man or set
of men have the right to interfere with that
relation and act of citizenship.
With this premise admitted and un-
deniable, what is it that the negro has
done which has caused all of this insane
hostility, and instigated all these harsh
and indefensible expressions? Can any
man point to single vote the negro has
cast that has not been in the interest of
good government, National and State, and
for laws which have operated to the bene-
fit OF the people irrespective of race OF
party In voting with the Republican
party in national affairs, he simply gave
his help to the enactment Of laws and the
institution of policy that have brought
about the marvellous prosperity now en-
joyed throughout the country. In voting
with the Readjusters in State affairs, he
has simply favored reforms. which both
parties now recognize as healthy and desi-
rable, and both parties have endorsed. He
has assisted in the enactment OF laws
which have contributed to the relief of the
| tax-payers of the Commonwealth, cor
rected abuses in administration which all
men acknowledged, and aided in doing for
the Bourbons-who claim to be the best
people and the property owners OF the
] State-that which they were either in
capable or unwilling to do for them
| selves. Instead of being a party to
the infection of wrongs and expressions
upon the people, he has voted to re-
move them. His vote has contributed
to the reduction of taxes. economy in gov
| eminent, the perfection of the public
schools, the freedom of the ballot and the
general good of the State. These things
have been accepted and approved by the
Democrats themselves. What the Demo-
Gratis seemed to be powerless to do for
I themselves, the negro has assisted in do
| ing for them. The common good has been
subserved, through his vote and the int er-
ests of all advanced. In exercising the
privileges thus conveyed, he has simply
done what the constitution and laws of the
State and country authorized him to do.
| He has done this quietly. mOdestly. and in
good order. He has sought to invade no
mans rights. He has assailed no man IS
interests. He has gone to the polls as was
his right, and voted just as others did,
] for the party and the men of his choice,
and in doing so, has been 4 means OF as
sisting in defending the integrity OF the
National government and shaping it's wise
and beneficent policy, and in giving to the
people of Virginia reforms and economies
which all admit to be wise and judicious.
Will any reasonable man gainsay this
Can any reasonable man place his finger
| on single act OF vote Of the negro that
has operated a public harm, and which has
not contributed to the good of the people
at large? He has relieved taxpayers who
refused to relieve themselves. He has
| aided in effecting reforms, which all con-
cede are right and beneficial. Why then
this clamor against him !? Simply because
he has not chosen to vote for certain men
for Office who represent party that has
heretofore proven its incapacity to meet
the demands of public emergencies. He
has even proven his friendship for the very
class of men who haye SO bitterly and
violently denounced him, and has gone no
| further than the law authorized him. He
has exercised the high privilege of citizen
ship in the interest of wise laws, good
government and the prosperity Of the State
| and country.
And for doing this, the few infiamma-
| tory politicians. say the negro must go.'
Of course did this expression voice the
sentiments of whole party. it would call
| for serious attention. 1t does not, we are
convinced, nor will it be taken up as a
party shibboleth hereafter. American
citizenship means something. 1t is the
elimination of our free institutions. 1t
is the browning glory of American liber-
| ty, and no man dare assail the rights and
immunities it assures with impunity.-
When it comes down to the right to go or
stay it is with the citizen to say for HIM
self, which he will do. So long as he Obeys
the laws of his State and country they
will constitute his shield, and no party and
no combination of men dare say aught
to the contrary, without. inviting the law s
penalties.
The history of the negro, since enamel
patton has been the wonder of the world.
Not only since emancipation, but during
the internicene conflict, when his freedom
OF his slavery was the issue, his loyalty and
and his conservatism stood out in such
grand proportions as to invoke the graft
tude Of all hearts, and presented a specta-
Gle of sublime unsellishness unparalleled in
the tide of time. With no other race