Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-25
Too Thin.

JOIN A. LOGAN, author Of the Illinois
Black Laws, never made greater mistake
In biz life than when he attempted, as he
Did ia his letter OF acceptance, to use The
door, down.frodden negro TO excite the SYM
patty and prejudice OF the people OF the
North. This little error Of judgment has not
only recalled "reminiscences OF Mr.. LoGAN's
attitude towards the negro in times past.
but is bringing cut the truth In respect OF
the ou.rages that have been perpe-
trated by his party upon the South. It's
having the effect Of putting the southern
question before the northern public In It's
proper light. The Boston Herald, indie
pendent Republican. after stating that Mr..
LOGAN ignores altogether "tbe utter and
disgraceful failure OF the Republican car
pet.baggers 10 maintain respectable gov
eminent at the South on the basis OF negro
suffrage, and the effect Of the rejection
which followed this failure upon both the
blacks and the whites" and that he as
sumes that call the colored citizens, aud "a
considerable portion Of the whites are still
Republicans, and that they are forcibly de.
priyed OF their suffrage rights, or unjustIy
cheated out Of them," proceeds to comment
as fellows:
"Thereis nothing TO Justify this sssunp-
ton. The experience from 1865 to 1870
satisfied everybody, including the blacks
themselves, that they are incapable.
without more education, OF conducting
the affairs Of government. The Republi-
ems secured for them their freedom, and
1t was natural that they should act political
ly with that party-tbey were enfrsnchised
for that purpose. For some years the po-
lilicsl Adventures from the North played
upon the fears and the vanity OF the color
ed people, and, by the help OF Federal
bsyonets, fastened upon tho unfortu-
nsio states OF the South the most dis
graceful rsvesties upon popular govern
ment ever seen under the sun. When tho
bayonets were Withdrawn, aud even before
In most OF the States, these governments
fell from their own rottenness. The ne
groes found after bile that their late mas
tiers did not desire TO deprive them OF their
liberty, or to oppose them In any way, as
they had feared. For the past seven years
the two races have lived together In peace
full, prosperous, and helpful relations. with
fewer outbreaks than the most sanguine
had dared TO expect, and those, as Mr..
Blaine comedies, constantly diminish
ing in frequency and violence. As
the natural result OF this improved state
OF things, many Of tie negroes have
come 10 vote with their employers, or not TO
care TO vote at all. In some localities there Is
no doubt purpose on the part OF the whites
TO rule of any cost, and practical subversion
OF free, full, and fair elections But the
colored people have all the rights which
laws can give them, and after dozen years
Of failure 10 protect the negroes, and
persistent refusal or neglect to vote dollar
for their education or improvement, 1t Is
simply the sublimation OF impudence for
General Logan to attempt to make the bloody
shirt good for one more President
This Is as near complete summary OF
the situation in the South as any we have
ever seen In northern paper. While we
are not prepared TO acquiesce in the state
ment OF the Herald regarding ga practical
subyersion OF . free, full. and fair cleo
tion," we let II pass, believing that
the truth on that point will also come
out In time. Our only comment shall be
that wherever difficulties have occurred
which have interfered with elections they
have been trsceable to the mallgn In
fiuence OF the class the Herald so justly
excoriates. As to what the Herald says
about educating the negros, 1t might have
impaired force 10 Its remarks by recoguiz-
ing that the whites Of the South have spent
millions OF dollars In trying to prepare
them for the responsible duties OF citizen
ship. However, as we have said before, II
the Republican party can stand bloody
shirt canvass the South can.