Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-10-01
THE COLoRED REPUBLICANS.

At the session of the colored republican
convention, at Lynchburg, yesterday the
first breeze came when proposition was
made to make the temporary organization
permanent. Beckley, who has always been
an anti A1anonete, encountered the oppo-
stion Of Wood, of Augusta, former ally of
Malone, who urged that man of less pro-
nounced prejudces should be selected for
permanent chairman.
Wood was bounced upon by w. R. Laws,
| Wau excoriated Wood charging that he had
come there "as wolf in sleeps clothing"
| 10 capture the convention in the interest Of
Malone. 1T is the voice of Jacob" he
cried, ''but the hand of Esau." Later on
Laws severely denounced Malone, and
speaking of John S. Wise, whom he de
nominated "tha kitchen statesman" he de.
cIared that in preference 10 supporting him
| for Governor he wonld "follow the lead Of
| The devil, just so he leads away from bell"
| Notwithstanding opposition Beckley was
made permanent chairman amid much ap-
| plause.
]. Thomas Fortune, the editor of the New
York Freeman, made ringing speech be-
| fore the convention and was enthusiastically
app!auled He advised the convention to
| mark out line of action not predicated
upon political slavery, and court the friend
| ship of the white people among whom they
lived. He denounced such papers as the
New York Tribune and Cincinnati CONNER
| ciai. Gazette, and declared that the extent Of
interest of such republicans rs Blaine, Sher
man and Hoar in the negro was to ride into
power and place by his vote.
r IL 4 81. kol cbo,
which the convention adjourned sine die:
80 the (oIored People Of Iirginin:
Whereas VIC colorcd people of Virginia, beiev-
| ng as SIC DO that the time has come for us to call
| :. hslt in the unqualified support we have given
! to the republican party, do here, in convention
assembled. solemnly declare ourselves politically
independent in all matters which pertain to US as
| citizens OF this Commonwealth We have for
tTcnty five years adhered to our former political
associate; with unparalleled fidelity, because in
| those dark days OF reconstruction the republican
party proved that it was the only party to which
! tho colored man OF the South could consistently
ally himself. 70 that end the colored voters no.
| bly, responded, and raised to power and place,
| men vino grew wealthy while administering the
| laws Of tho United States Government i'll the
| Southern States. We feel ever grateful for what
! has been done, but now the time has como for US
| to think, act, vote and speak for ourselves and
especially SO since the republicans have practical
| ~ abandoned us in former campaigns, aud in all
matters where the negro ought to have had re-
cognition il proportion TO voting strength and in
| tc!igcnca We know, too, that many of our race
| have been murdered in the Southern States, but
the cause which led to these sad occurrences which
| have spilled blood and created bitter race
| autagonism, which now retardS our progress and
makes it difficult for to live in the land of
| birth, arc largely traceable to the mismanagement
| of the Federal oilcehoders i'll our section. These
foregoing reasons lead US to adopt such methods
and to so demcan ourselves rs to make friends of
| those whose interests are identical in every way
with our own. We, therefore, appeal to tho COL
orad people of oar native State to look we'll to the
| altered condition of affairs and in the future 10
| mako such political alliances as will most advance
our intcre SITS, educationaly, financially and poll.
tically. We feel sure that there is throughout
tho broad limits of the Commonwealth general
disposition on the part of the white people to &C.
cord US all our rights before the law and to meet
us heartily in every advance we make for the up
| holding of our people. 1t behooyes US, then, to
use our ballots in that We may drive out all dis
cordaat clements in Virginia, whether they be
headed by natives aliens to the State. We also
condemn the raising of the race issue by any class
OF men who essay to lead the masses, because it
can do nothing but prove detrimental to our cause
aud our interests. We therefore ask hearty CO.
operation of our people in Virginia to tho success
| of our movement. We have cause to be thankful
for the ibcraity of tho present national Admin.
istratioa to our people in the South. We also be-
l;evo our relations to the State debt are such as
to Justify lis in hoping that Virgins will be re-
licvcd from her present financial embarrassments
by aid from the Federal Government, which will
enable her better to provide for all the material
interests Of her citizens and to bring about that
universal good feeling which ought to exist be.
tween the two races
The speakers were bitter against Malone and
Wise end favorable to Gen. Lee. Only one speech
was MAJ against The address, and that by Adams,
of Richmond who was taken in hand by Laws
and handled numerically. Laws spoke nearly
en- hour, and was chcercd to the ccho He attack
cd the political records of Malone and Wise with
great effect, End predicted Wises overwhelming
defeat. There were only six votes against adopt
ing the address, three of which were cast by the
Scott county delegates, whom it was charged were
sent by. Malone to create discord.
Chairman BcckIey, before adjourning the con-
vcntion, boldly proclaimed his intention to sup
port the democratic ticket with all his might.
ONE OF MhHoNE's METHODS.