Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-04-15
General Wiekham and Frank G. Ruffin on
the Danville Riots.
Especial Dispatch to the Baltimore Sum-

Especial Dispatch to the Baltimore SUM-
WASHINGTON, April 4.-Gen. Wickham,
in his testimony to-day before the Senate
committee investigating the Danville riots,
told some very plain truths, which, COM
ing from man of his high personal char
acter and well-known Republicanism, will
do much to dissipate the false impressions
which may have prevailed throughout the
country on account of the Malone mani
festo. Senator Sherman, with all his dis
righteousness of examination, failed ut
terly to affect the position of Gen. Wick
ham that to the teachings of Malone and
his followers were due all the race troubles
in Virginia.
Mr.. Frank G.. Ruffin, of Richmond, tes-
titled this morning., and gave an intelligent
statement Of the political condition of at
fairs in Virginia as they appeared from his
standpoint. He was Readjuster until the
debt question was settled and the capita
ton tax was repealed, after which he re-
turned to the Democracy. He described
the stoning of Democratic procession after
the election in Richmond, and the expert
ence of celored Democratic club, which
had to be escorted by whites to place OF
safety to secure them from the possible VIC
lence of their Coalition race fellows. He
said that the people Of Richmond had been
very guarded in their efforts to assist the
Danville people in restoring and preserving
the peace because Of their wish to avoid
giving any pretext to their opponents tor
complaint or any opportunity for alleging
violence. The machinery for counting the
returns was entirely controlled by the Goa
lionists,
Gen. W. G. Wickham, member of the
| Virginia Senate was examined. He said
his position in the canvass was a peculiar
one. Since 1865 he had been Republican,
and was so still. He was requested by the
Democratic convention to announce himself
as candidate, regarding the issue as one
OF local and not at all of national politics.
The issue upon which he entered the can
vass was upon good State and local govern
ment, which he didn't think they had I'M
der the then organization. His district was
considered he pivotal one of the State, and
the contest was an exciting one from the
beginning. His position as Republican
caused him to suppose that he had right
to expect the support of the great mass OF
the colored vote He found it was doubt
full whether he would get even a respecta.
BILE portion of the colored vote. The fight
was made upon the color-llne by the Goa
litionists. The negroes were organized il
clubs, and at their weekly and nightly
meetings most inceEdiary speeches were
made them. They were told that if the
T Democrats were successful they would be
put back into slavery. Notwithstanding
; these efforts, witness received coloree
, vote which exceeded his majority. Colore(
men were threatened with election from
their churches. and their wives threatened
to throw their clothes out of doors anC
, prevent them coming into their houses i
they voted for witness. Since the negroes
acquired the right of suffrage there hat
, been no unjust discrimination against then
by the laws of Virginia. Witness though
there had been no unlawful combination
, against the colored people, nor had the.
been threatened with discharge, SO far a.
he knew, for not voting as their employ
J ers wished.
During the cross-examination by Senate
Sherman witness said that at the time b,
joined the Republican party the mass of thu
white people of Virginia were unquestiona
bly, Democrats, and the Republican part,
was then, in political sense, considered
the friend of the negro Tt was natura
, that the colored people should Join thu
: Republican party. When the Readjuste
, party was organized the Republicans wer'
divided. Witness opposed the ''repudia
, tian of the debt" Witness was invited t.
become a candidate against the Coalition
party on the ground that from his know
position as Republican lie would carry
portion Of the colored vote.
''Is there not strong instructive feeling
among the colored people that their right
/ are not safe in the hands of the Democrat
= party?"
Il think that that is the fact, and l thin
it is proper, Mr.. Sherman, that I Shout
say that it is fact brought about by th
false teachings of designing men. 1t
? more "A feeling that the Republicans AZ
more liberal to them than the Democrat
would be-
snow. don't you think that if the Dem
: ocratic party would convince the colore
people that their rights would be secure ur
: der the control and management of til
G Democrats that they would divide the co
ored vote?"
"Unquestionably | think that, if tina
/ could be contrived. But it would be til
i most difficult thing ia the world to prove
B to them when you have party of me
i who want them to vote solidly in one way
i telling them all the time that the Democrat
o would Cypress them"
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