Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-11-18
The Election.
,difor of The DisDdtch

To The Editor Of the Dispatch:
Twenty.four wears ago two different sys.
tens Of ciyilization-bOth republican, one
based on individual freedom, the other on
the coerced labor of the slaye-found them
selves arrayed in bitter antagonism.
The election OF Abraham Lincoln
brought on conflict between the states
of this Federal Union having these sepa-
rate systems.
The ablest statesmen of both sections
from The earliest period OF the Government
saw and feared this conflict and ut differ
ent tunes in our history attempted by legis-
lation TO prevent il, or at least postpone it.
These states at last met in mortal conflict,
which lasted four years. The weaker Sec
ton was conquered in the struggle, ana,
throwing down their arms, acknowledged
themselves beaten and submitted 10 the
will OF the dominant section.
The people. with their fields wasted
their slaves. who had cultivated them,
docking 10 the cities. looking upon freedom
as a perpetual holiday, manfuly accepted
the result. and cultivated with their own
hands and what labor they could get n
portion OF their lands. With the loss OF
the laborers the lands fell In price in many
instances to fourth, and even sixth, OF
their dnte-6eii,m value. Many fair estate
was sold to pay a debt which was less than
a years income before the war.
The death Of President Lincoln struck
with horror the people OF both North and
South his death removed great states
man from the head Of the Government.
and the manner Of his death aroused the
worst PASSIONS OF the northern people
against the whole South. Fanaticism, hate.
The hope OF plumber and Office. aroused the
worst elements Of the conquerors against
the conquered. The mass Of the northern
people knew no more Of the state OF south
crn society than they knew OF the social
status Of the interior OF hflc1. They
whOOped and hIwled for vengeance against
A whole people for the insane act OF a Ia
matte. They enfranchiscd the ignorant
negro. thereby taking rule ont OF the
hands Of the conservative and best men.
The trading politicians Of the vilest class
the carpet-baggers- came in our midst to
arouse the prejudlcos OF this Ignorant mass
and buy their votes. So oppressed aud
plnndered were the people that but for
their poverty most OF the whites would
have moved away. Under such difficulties
the south has again built itself up.
There is an element Of good in every
evil, and the low price Of the lands has to
a large number been blessing in disguise,
enabling many young man TO buy back
the old homestead. which he would not
have done il the land had kept up its price.
The ncgroi Is known and liked by the south
ern people, and their wild hopes looked
upon with indulgence as the vagsries.oi
children. Their fears Of being enslaved
again ought 10 he removed. No sensible
man would now own them again II he
could. and could not il he would.
II is to be hoped in the future parties
will divide on questions OF policy, and this
mass 9! ignorance. instead Of being band
ed together IN 4 serried mass. will be di-
yided between the parties and cease TO be
a source of danger in the future either to
| the State or republic. The great North
/ west will not permit the ignorant negro, so
} different in habit and race. 10 hold the
mouth of the Mississippi with It's forty
/ thousand miles OF inland navigation.
All hail TO New York city, The CONNER
/ cal metropolis Of this great country,
! which. taking broad view Of the future,
/ has said by her vote: This Is 4 country oi
| Federal States having equal interests aud
rights in this broad land"
ON the 4th Of March, 1885, Grover Cleye
land will be seated rs President so puttin-
behind Us dead issues, we will grasp the
future with renewed hope. i.