National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-08-20

"1he Niger Must Keep His Place"
Under the above caption Virginia bour-
bon has written some poetry, of which hs
is so proud that he is anxious to see IL in
print. For obvious reasons tine bourbon
papers decline to crafty the ambition Of the
budding Byron. Such publication in their
columns just at this time would not be
polite. A thoroughly Trustworthy CORE
spondont Of THE REPUBLICAN, has sent US
"a true copy" Of the great effort, with the
writer's signature attached. 1t begins thus :
Yes; l shot him; there lies the cuss
It's only niggcr-nO need of Il fuss
What did shoot him fUr2 Well, dyou see?
1 was walking down the street aud he ran
against me.
Was it accidental? We'll, Inover inquired;
| Jest saw twas O Niger 80 / drawal an II
fired.
They are getting so impudcnt you can't walk
the street
without butiimg up against every one that yol
meet;
And they are go stuck up, talking of their
rights,
They begin to think they arc as good as the
whites,
But, gentlemen, don't you forget what say
White men must ruIc in Virginia..
THE REPUBLICAN does not believe that
this Old Dominion poet fairly voices the
average Democratic sentiment of his state
There are Virginia Democrats who abhOr
such brutality as thrills this poets soul
We take II that Gen. Lee is gentleman
and that lie and many of his supporters
would speak out boldly against such deeds
as were perpetrated by their brethren at
Danyille u year ago last November If they
had as much moral as they have physical
courage
But It Is q fact known of all men who
have studied the socio-political situation in
irgnia, that the negro is intensely hated
hy majority Of the Democrats of that
state, because the law has transformed him
from chattel into man. When he adopts
the old time plantation air of a we!l-trdjnel
animal he finds no trouble, but when he
holds up his head and acts like a man he
arouses such vengeful feelings as are ex-
pressed by our rhymester, the balance Of
whose rhymes are: ..--.,~'
What's that -yoG sa!g'f jim? Old Nancys
Son?
Great God I am sorry If he is the one!
Why Jim and me grew mp on the farm
And never knowed Jim to 10 ANY harm;
and many Is the hunt we've had toyethcr;
And folks have said he was my own brother!
But people, you know, will run on
About things that happened on the plantation
IN the good old times now long since ceased
When a man could do with Niger as ho
pleased.
SO nelp me God, If I had knowed II was Jim.
nuvver int the world wonld have fred at him
Twas getting dark, and / didn't know his
face;
But, d---n H. the niger must keep his place
1t Is the earnest desire Of Republicans
that the campaign in Virginia may be peace
tul and, in all respects, orderly, The pro-
gramme Of bloody violence, from the pen
of distinguished Virginia Democrat,
which was recently published In this city,
has excited horror and disgust. More
than one Virginia Democrat has taken pains
TO disayow, for his party, any responsibility
for such utterances.
What is most needed to insure q digniled,
decent canvass, with no bulldozing or
bloodletting, is an honest and positive dis
countenancing of irregular methods by the
Democratic leaders. If they will pass the
word TO the fiery young men that there must
be neither intimidation nor fraud, the cam
paign will 90 on without any tragic incl
dents, and "the niggcr will keep his place;''
will mind his own business, and vote as he
sees fit