The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1885-10-08
COMING TO THEIR SENSES,

|
The Colored People OF Virginia Declare
Their Independence ofthe Radical Politi
| clans.
The colored people of Virginia held
a State Convention at Lynchburg last
week. Tho following address was
adopted amid great enthusiasm;
"Io the Colorcd People Of pirgtnia
| Whereas we, the colored people OF
Virginia, believing as we do that the
time has come for us to call halt in
the unqualified support we have given
the Republican party, do here, in con-
vention assembled, solemnly declare
ourselves politically independent in all
matters which pertain to us as citizens
of this Commonwealth. We have for
twenty-five years adhered to our form
CT political associates with unparalleled
fidelity, because in those dark davs of
Reconstruction the Republican party
proved that it was the only party to
which the colored man Of the South
could consistently ally himself. TO
that end the colOrcd voters responded
aud raised to power and place men
who grew wealthy while administer
ing the laws of the United States Gov
ernment in tho SoutherVa States. We
-
done, but now tho time has como for
us 70 think, act, vote and speak for
ourselves, and especially SO since the
Eepublioans have practically aban-
d0ned us in former campaigns and in
all matters where the negro ought to
have had recognition in proportion to
voting strength and Intelligence. We
know, too, tnat many of our race have
been murdered in the Southern States,
but the causes which led to these sad
occurrences which have spilled our
blood and created the bitter race an
tagonism Which now rctards our pro-
grces and makes it difficult to live in
the land of our birth, are largely.
traceablc to the mismanagement of
Federal officeholders in our sections.
"The foregoing reasons load us t.,
adopt such methods and to so demcan
ourselves as to make friends of those
whose interests are identical with our
own. We therefore appeal to The
acolored people of our native State to
look we'll to the altered condition of
affairs and in the future to make such
political alliances as will most advance
our interests educationally, financially
and politically. We feel sure that
there is throughout broad limits of the
Commonwealth q general disposition
on the part of the white people to
accord us all our rights before the law
and to meet us heartily in every adj
vance we make for the upholding of
our people. 1t bchooves us then to
use our ballots in such manner that we
may drive out all discordant clements
In Virginia, whether they be headed
by natives or aliens to the State. We
also condemn the raising of the raising
of the race issue by any class of men
who essay to lead the masses, because
1t can do nothing but prove detri-
mental 10 onr cause and our interests.
We therefore ask the hearty co opera
ton of our people in Virginia to the
success of our movement. We have
cause to be thankful for the liberality
OF the present National Administrator
to our people in the South. We also
believe our relations to the State debt
are such as to justify us in hoping that
Virginia will be relieved from her
present financial cmbarrassments by
aid from the Fedora! Government,
which will enable her better to provide
for all the material interests of her
citizens and to bring about that uni
versal good feeling which ought to
exist between the two races"