Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-08-05
Questions Answered.

0utStioLo ma
The Providence On. ~ Journd! Is jour
nslistic puzzle. At times we don't know
whether TO attribute its course Ia dealing
with the South 10 ignorance or vindictive-
ness, OF fits, but we arc rather inclined to
think that It must be subject to tho
lsst-named malady. Occasionally, when
not excited by campaign issues. 1t
publishes m article which IL very
sound and would seem TO indicate that the
light Of reason had begun 10 dawn upon IT,.
Some months ago, when II was discuss
ing Federal aid TO education, 1t came
yoy neer aljgniug itself with the
Dispatch In respect Of the danger OF
allowing the Federal Government TO control
the school system. Suddenly, however, il
began TO run around In circle like an
ovcrfed kitten, had what appeared TO be 3
spssn, superinduced by negro on the brain,
and threw the fat into the fire. Recently, o.
The campaign Las began to warm up, these
attacks have been more frequent and more
violent. In It's issue Of Saturday 1t says
The Richmond Dispatch aud the Boston
Advertiser take exceptions to the statement
OF the journal that the South Is not recon-
ciled to the authority OF the Constitution OF
the United States. and that the persistent
denial Of the political rights Of the colored
race Is Lroof thst the mission OF the Repub-
l.can party Is not ended. The Dispatch
publishes the article Is criticised. and so far
Il entirely candid But when II declares
that our language Indicates an effJrt 10
pave the way for another presidential
steal" ID goes wide OF the record. as 1t does
when II accuses US OF Overlapping the
bounds Of truth" Is 1t true or not that
the South. rs section, and tie Democratic
parry Of the South, a. q political organizi-
ton. denied the cO!orcd voter the right OF
political franchise? il il true or not that
the sentiment that "this II s white mans
Government" Is the prevailing sentiment
OF the South, and acted upon at every cleo
ton where there Is considerable number
Of colored v0tersy
The advertiser had asserted that the war
Of the rebellion is over. and that reference
to it was an appeal to passion. The re-
joinder ond argument OF the journal was
that the feeling which led TO secession and
re- elton still existed. indicated in other
fashion, according TO the changed circnn-
stances; that this feeling was and II OPP
position TO Federal authority In Federal
sfIairs; originally as relsted to the author
ify of the nation over the State, under the
Constitution, and now as related TO the
political rights Of the negro. The reply to
this by the Disp0tch is that "the Republic
can party will stife the voice OF tie South
in the presidential election II the northern
mind can be mlde ripe for such an out
rage"
1t is quite unnecessary to reply IN such
an insinuation or accusation. But will the
Dispatch say distinctly that it favOrs in the
South q free vote and fair count Of all lc-
gal votes by whomsoever cast That would
lie much moro pertinent than denouncing
the Republican party for what |. has not
done.
As usual, the negro il at the bottom Of the
Journals troubles. In fact, 1t seems that
the journal has a chronic case Of negro
mania, and that it can never be cured ex
cept on the principle Of similar sifnili5us
c~dntur. II enough negroes could be
imported into Providence to give them a
majority Of voters there the Journal might
be saved; but not otherwise, We
fear. But since it has put several
straightforward questions to lis we will
answer them.
LIST. II ~ not tue that the South.
Is section, and the Democratic par
ty OF the South. rs political Or
gsnization, denied the colored voter the
right OF political franchise. The negro has
every right Of citizenship guaranteed him
by tho Constitution and the laws OF the
land, aud the South, a. section, and the
Democratic party Of the South. which
party comprises the wealth and In
tsligence OF the southern country, are
spending millions Of dollars annually to
put the negro in position to appreciate
properly the duties Of citizenship. The
Dispatch does not deny thai on occasions
In time past disturbances have interiered
with the freedom OF elections 10 some To-
calities, but so have Federal bayonets, and
the disturbances alluded TO have been in
vsriably brought about by the emisssries
Of the Republican party.
I'd. 1t 10 true that the sentiment that
"this is white mans Government " Is the
prevailing sentiment Of the South, as it 10
Of tho North lbut It Is not true that it 10
acted upon in the South, in the manner I'M
piled by the Journal, at: every election
where there is considerable number OF
negro votes. The Journals question 10
pertinent only so far as it insinuates that
the negro Is prevented from voting by vio-
lence, and that Is answered by Mr.. BbAINn's
own confession.
sd. The Dispatch says distinctly and
emphstically that II iavors in the South a
free vote and q fair count Of all legal
votes by whomsoever cast. II Is only
where the miserable tyranny exercised by
the Republican party has come in that
there has been any trouble about elections.
II the Journal sstisfedi
And now Is turn about is fair play, will
the Journal tell us what it means by waving
the bloody shirt and trying to excite sectional
prejudice, il it is not trying to pave the
way for another presidential steal! Since ii
il 10 jealous for freedom Of elections, will
Il please explain Kr. LoGAS's threat that
the National Government must go beyond
resolutions knd declarations! That would
be more pertinent than dsnouu0ing the
Democratic party Of tho South for what is
has not done.
A Republican and Greenback fusion isa
queer thing In our politics, aud IL 10 not
strange that the alliance In West Virginia |