Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-09-09
Robert B. Berkeley Then and Now.

Those who have listened to the speeches
of Robert B. Berkeley, one of fhe Republi-
can canvassers in this campaign, may be
interested in reading what he had to say
two years ago, and that they may have that
pleasure, we quote from a speech he made
in Holcombe Hall, in Lynchburg, at that
time, which concluded as follows:-
s.The time can never come when l will
cease to hate and loathe, with all the inten-
sky of an honest heart, the miserable Yam
kee vagabonds who, aided and abetted by
by Virginian 1azzaretta-the contemplate,
damnable, indescribably mean scalawag,
who never 'smelled the battle even krom
afar.
ssThe time can never come when l can
clasp hands with the so called Vlrginian
who so far forgets his pride Of ancestry, has
pride Of race, and his se!f-respect as to join
hands with the INSCRIPTIONS, soulless van
dals, who have despoiled our homes, insult
ed our wives and daughters, end left US
with no heritage but unsullied honor, and
courage never to submit or yield to negro
rule or negro equality.
"The time can never come when, as
Virginian, l will consent to consort with
the rank and file Of the radical republican
party, now seeking to crush the manhood,
intelligence, and responsibility of the coun-
try down to the earth, that thieves may
reign.
The time can never come when | will not
pray, from the Utmost depths of my soul,
that there may be somewhere a pit, deep,
black, dismal, and hot enough in which to
roast, through endless time, the souls of
Virginia scalawags who basely desert the
dear old mother in the hour of her trial, and
follow false gods for ephemeral prominence
and a home in perdition.
''And, as Virginia Democrat, cherish
ing the doctrines of the party, revering the
memory of the founders of the Republic,
with undying hatred of negro equality and
of negro suffrage, permit me tie say, in con-
clusion, that the time can never come when
the inmost depths of my soul will not be
moved by the dulcet notes of 'Dixie's
Land
IF the Democratic Legislature had elect
ed him Secretary of the Commonwealth, he
would not be making species in behalf of
the party that he so strongly denounced
two years ago. He then wanted to ''roast
the souls of Virginia scalawags," as he then
denominated the Virginia Republicans, and
now he processes to be proud to call himself
a Virginia Republican.
WHAT WISE sAID.-Among many other
very Objectionable things, in his speech at
Crockett's Depot in Wythe county last
Friday, John S. Wise declared that the
Danville riot was a deliberately planned
scheme of the democrats to murder negroes
for political purpose. 1t was foul, cow
ardly murder by the so-called best people
of Virginia. He said the people were
afraid to send their afflicted females to the
lunatic asylums for fear they would be de-
bauched and seduced by democratic officials;
that the democrats were plundering and
stealing from the State treasury and their
auditor would not report"
He thus traduces the people of Virginia,
and yet has the ''cheek" to ask them to
elect him Governor! His father was right
when he profanely declared that This son
JOHNNY would always go wrong if he had
half a chance" and certainly those will do
wrong who will vote for him. He ought to
be put into house of correction.