Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-11-13

Tue NeW OTh COWHefcttt- -dUCeTttScr.
Now that the battle of parties is over,
and the partisan explanations of defeat or
victory are in, perhaps Virginan of the
old anti-slavery school may submit his
views on the recent contest and present SIT
ustion in Virginia. My own opposition TO
slavery dates from 1851, and caused aliena
ton from Southern friends who had adopted
a theological or Carlylese theory Of the
eternal rec,itude Of slavery, unknown TO
their fathers / had shared their notions
and knew well that they were never those
of the elder and wiser around us. What
ever young hotheads may say, slavery is
doomed institutun," said a venerable man
and large stakeholder in those days. re-
proving my novel doctrine. Ten years ago,
on returning to Virginia, I was received
with open arms by my old companions,
from whom my abolitionism had parted me;
but although seeming somewhat like the
returning prodigal, I knew it was not | but
they who had strayed from the paternal
door and wasted their substance. The old
Virginian was an antislavery man. John
Randolph, of Roanoke, left two wills
the first lberating and providing for
his slaves, declaring their right to freedom
equal to his own; the second bequeathing
them along with his other property His
chief legatee under the last will, Benjamin
Watkins Leigh, legally renounced all bene-
fit in order that he might testify in the case.
He testified that Randolph was not Of sound
mind when the last will was written. BY
that testimony he deprived himself of $780,.
900 and set free 500 negroes. Those men
represented the Virginia of sound mind.
When the rebellion began the old State lost
its head. But still Virginia was not drawn
into that movement by love of slavery. Des-
pite that eclipse of its old faith, passionate
love ofliberty was in the heart of the State
and so remains to this day. Mr.. Sanborn,
in his careful life of John Brown, says: "a
year before General Lees death he said to
John Ley burn, at Baltimore, that he had
never been an advocate of slavery, had
emancipated most of his slaves before the
war, and rejoiced that slavery was abolish
ed"; adding, II would cheerfully have lost
all I have lost by the war, and have suf-
fered all 1 have suffered, to have this object
attained" The recovery of Virginia is fair
" symbolzed in the election Of the relative
and comrade of the general who so spake to
be her Governor. That is why an old abol-
itionist like myself finds himsefin harmony
with those who triumphed in the late elec-
ton. Having repeatedly visited the State,
and recently been there, being in confiden.
tial relations with "bourbons" and negroes,
I feel impeled to call attention to certain
features of the late and the present situa-
tions.
The war hymn sang of John Browns soul
marching on. The poor negroes were per-
suaded for time that the old captains soul
was marching with Malone. Really, Ma
hone was more like Browns Nemesis; his
rule was raid to enslave the white Virgin
ians by aid of negroes. His temporary sue
cess in degrading the State, running its cred
it, humiliating it's intelligence by means of
negro ignorance and fear, fostered by its
own former injustice, was one of times re-
venges Slavery, depriving its victims of
worldly hope, intensified their other world
illness; the negroes have long lived their
most real life in their churches, and it was
these that Mahoneism managed to make
it's strongholds. Until recently negro
could not vote with the democratic par
ty without being "boycotted" by his
Methodist or Baptist brethren; the sis
ters, too, would have nothing to do
slavery were made political masters of Vir-
ginia, not knowing that they were them
selves re.enslaved by their "boss" Their
political driver sold them at auction to re-
publican administration, and with the pro
ceeds bought official position for himself and
his friends. Some honest white men in
Virginia were also deceived, and care was
taken to put the best perverts in Office. But
the negro held the balance of power. Thus
it came that just twenty six years after that
handwriting at Harper's Ferry famed on
the walls OF slavery the newphew of Browns
captor and son of his executioner must
plead with negro voters for the Guberna-
torial trust.
The commanding fact now is that the
Virginians have been saved from political
slavery by their former slaves. The reject
ed stone is now head of the corner on which
real southern freedom must be built. The
southern people acknowledge q debt of
gratitude to the negroes, because, when
they were fighting in the field and their
families were at the mercy of their slaves,
these remained faithful and patiently shared
the burdens of their households. To that
debt the Virginians now have to add an
other; they were at the mercy of the
negro voters and by them have been res.
cued. Mahone's "solid Africa" has broken
up; the negro Joins hands with his equally
emancipated master.
The determining cause of this result is, as
I believe, largely subjective. The negro is
in the mental and moral phase where per-
sonal loyalty is supreme force. Where his
suffrage is concerned he instinctively turns
to the national chieftain. President Cleve.
land is in the seat of "Massa Linkum"-in
the chair from which came the edict cf
emancipation. He has sat there long enough
to expose the deceptions practiced upon our
humble negro countrymen. The election
of q democratic President has brought them
af hn