Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-11
Mr.. Wise ana the Negroes.
~, Editor Of III, Disp1fch I.

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Mr.. John S. Wise has made explana-
tons and denials concerning his reputed
lJemark that he received negroes in
his kitchen " until many negroes no
doubt believe that that declaration
does not really represent the social re-
lations that Mr.. Wise thinks should ex-
list between the races. Fortunately, to
! clear up all possible doubt about his
views upon this point, record evidence
exists on the subject. In the contest
ed-election case of knight Us. johnson
Mr.. John S. Wise gave his own deposit
ton, which is sworn to and signed by
him, and any one can see it in fair,
broad manuscript amongst the archives
of the Senate. When cross-examined
by General Johnson's counsel the fol-
lowing dialogue occurred. which may
be seen at page 900 Of the evidence as
printed;
First question You have stated in
your deposition, if | understand you
right, that it was your purpose and the
purpose of your party to elect good
men Of all or any parties, and that it
was your purpose to break up the hard
and bitter color line that had existed
here. In case you could have found
negro whom you believed to be good
man, would you or those gentlemen CO.
operating with you have been willing
to vote for him to represent us in the
Senate?
" Answer My race, my position in
society, my social relations, and the fact
that ! know many good white men
willing to serve and more competent
than any colored man | know, would
doubtless fix my preferences in any
contest for one of my own race. This
question | regard as not only hypo-
thetical, but as assuming state Of
facts never likely to occur to me.
8. In case we could have found such
man as you describe, | suppose we
would have found one hundred equally
good men Of our own race to nomi-
nate, and would have selected from
them. I don't think the colored race
has been elerated TO a deU Of intel
tigence and education ,ohich affords us
field for selection among its members.
81 can conceive of case where a
colored man and a white man oppose
each other. for the Virginia Senate in
which | would prefer to trust my in
serest to the colored man. ! know not
what others think l think Richard
Forrestera better man than several white
men i know. think him more honest
and more capable and more true to his
people than several white men | know
but he and l will, think, for many
days prefer some white gentleman to
represent us, whe, while not more hon.
est than he, is more cultivated and ac-
complished."
Second question | do net regard
your answer as responsive to my ques-
ton. will put you hypothetical case
which will make my meaning plain If
you had known negro as intelligent as
Colonel Knight or Mr.. Starke, and Of as
unexceptionable moral character as
either, and you had thought the election
of these two gentlemen, and the &C
complishment Of the purposes of your
reform, required the placing Of his name
Is the third one upon your ticket,
would you then have been willing to
vote for him?
ANSWER: cannot recall any colorcd
acquaintance who exactly fills the bill.
| know many as honest as either. |
do not think l know any as we'll
educated, although there are doubt
less such. never contemplated
your proposition until l heard
it announced, and can only Judge
Of what l would do by what
have done. l remember stumping this
city and speaking on the same platform
with Isaac Hunter and Abram Hall for
Gilbert c. Walker. ! thought it right
to do so. I remember seeing John
Cooley riding IN the procession in a
carriage T'h certain prominent phae
supporters Of Governor Walker. |
DID NOT APPROVE THAT. / think
the political relation between the white
and colored voter being fixed, must be
recognized, and does not inuoice anu
personal relations. The political rela
ton existing, ! think it the duty OF
every good citizen to make it friendly.
ifpossible, cithout compromising self
respect. The same obligation l regard
or existing among white men political
utilization inrolres Of necessity no per-
soRal aeiliatioa. IL such a man of
color as your question describes had
been absolutely essential TO effect the
object you refer to, ! am not prepared
10 say chat course should haze taken.
regard the contingency as SO remote
that it Is unnecessary for me to take
time to consider the proposition and
decide. but am frank to say can con-
ceive Of my supporting such man in
such case"
Now, Mr.. Wise cannot explain or
deny these statements. They represent
his deliberate opinions. They were
sworn to by him, and after that, read
over by him and deliberately signed BY
him. Thenegroes can now, therefore, soc
just exactly what Mr.. Wise really thinks