The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-08-20
Tbe Race Question.

TQ6 hdc0 <tuoStl0As
1t is seldom we are called upon to COM
mend anything of a political nature |
that appears in the columns Of the Rich
mond State. Last week, however, we
mentioned the fact that the State had Cor
rected story sent out by one of its CORE
spondents to the effect that political
emissary was seeking to array the blacks
against the whites in the neighborhood of
Meherrin. The State declares, however,
that we laughed too soon, and that it
doesn't deserve the credit for the fairness
we were disposed to accord it. 1t then
enters upon disquisition and gets SO far
off the track that we are unable to find out
whether it vouches for the story as orig
inally published or pins its faith to the
modification which drew forth our COM
ment. Of this much, however, we can as
sure our contemporary Either that its
correspondent is unworthy of belief, or
else the party who is trying to stir up
strife between the races is Democrat in
disguise, or an idiot. No sane friend of
the Republican party would thus play into
Democratic hands.
Does the editor of the State, or any
other man with two grains of sense,
bell, ve tina. Republicans are fools enough
to raise the race issue? Doesn't the most
limited intelligence suggest that no one
but an ally of the Democratic party, and
a very degraded one at that, would at
tempt to array race against race in State
like Virginia? 1t doesn't require any
deep penetration to discover the attitudes of
the two parties in reference to this ques-
ton. The one has everything to gain by
its agitation the other can only lose by
it. The only possible hope of Democratic
success in Virginia in November next is
in a repetition of the tactics of 1883. when
argument was thrown to the winds, and
the reason and judgment of men were sub
ordinated to the blind frenzy of race preju-
dice. And with this condition staring US
in the face, is it rational to presume that
Republicans would place in the hands of
their enemy the only weapon that could
avail against them
Eliminate the negro question from this
canvass and the battle is won without an
effort. Blot it out, and the last prop OF
Democracy in Virginia falls shattered to
4 the earth.
And not only in Virginia but through,
out the South. But for this prejudice
against the negro, the Republican party
would be in the ascendency in the cotton
states to-day. The material interests OF
the South are peculiarly identified with
Republican policy. A protective tariff
sound currency National banks National
aid to public schools liberal appropria
tions to internal improvements and Other
measures of Republican origin and enact
ment are recognized by the thinking PEG
pie Of this section as wise acts of legis
lation. They know that the carrying out
of Republic policy as reflected in these
acts, means the upbuilding of the South
and the development of her wondrous
latent wealth, but they are kept from ar
alignment with the friends of that policy
by the simple cry of ''nigger."
Go among the working classes of Vir
ginia, and you will find that whilst
voting the Democratic ticket, they have
no sympathy with the policy of that party
or It's leaders. Why do they not rebel
Because they are terrorized with the threat
of negro supremacy. 1t is an idle, foolish
silly threat, yet it is the puissance of the
Democratic arm. 1t is more powerful thar
the most powerful argument. 1t over
rides reason and judgment and common
sense. 1t transforms independent, manly
men into dumb driven cattle. In the
hands of INSCRIPTIONS demagogues it is the
lash welded to keep the masses in the
party traces and it is used with effect
Without it Democracy would be doomed
1t is its only reliance and it will useit fol
all it is worth. There will be hundreds. o.
reports of negro uprisings and the like be
fore this campaign is ended, but if the
people will only think for a moment the,
will be able to discount them in advance
Let it be known that they are but the ma
chinations of the Democratic leaders tt
arouse prejudice and lead the popular mint
away from the real questions at issue. Tit
Republicans can have no motive whatever
in seeking TO array race against race
Their whole aim and Object will be to ALA!
any such feeling. On the contrary. tn,
Democracy has every incentive to brinl
the race question to the front, and i
) will lose no opportunity that can be availet
of to accomplish that object. The Meher
rim report is but the prelude to the regu
lar programme. Let the people irrespec
tive Of party, stamp such despicable prac
tices with their bitterest condemnation
If they do not, they and the State mus
suffer for it.
i The Norfolk Landmarks repeats and EN-
phaslzes the suggestion that Postmaste
! General Villas be chosen to deliver an ora
, | tiOn on the life and death of Can Grant r.