Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-23
PETERSBURG.
LAsosTon ON FRED. DoueGAss-coHsTI-
TuTioNALLy IrsrscERE AND
HYPOTHETICAL.
Fair Play wsntsd-If Not the People VIII
Act-aenerai News
Eotss.
,c,rr..rons.ooo a me Rlobmond DIspaich.l

PETERSBURG, VA, aug 81, 1000.
John NJ. Langston returned to-day
from trip through the counties OF the
district. during which he made personal
observations of the feelings OF the Re-
publican voters in reference to bis can
didacy for Congress. he snyB he feels
no uneasiness as to the result II the peo-
ple are allowed fair play and fair ex-
preston OF their sentiments ; and that II
such is done he will assuredly receive
the nomination. In Mecklenburg
county, he saws, the Republicans are
with him, and their wishes are
so manifest that Dir. Thorp, who
recently announced himself as candi-
date for Congress, has withdrawn. il,
SAWS Langston, there is any fraud prac-
ticed in the county meetings or in the
convention at Farmville TO defeat his
nomination, then the people themselves
will nominate him for Congress and elect
him. The warfare against Langston il
reported to he very bitter, and doubtless
some lively scenes viii be enacted in the
county primaries for the election of dele
gates as we'll as in the nominating con-
vention itself.
The Inde1-Appeal Of tomorrow will
publish sa interview with Professor
Laneston, in which the following APP
pears relative to Frederick Douglass re-
cent letter severely criticisiag Langston's
record:
"You have, Of course, seen Mr.. Frede-
rick Douglass's letter regarding your
candidacy and tho advice he has given
the colored people of this district in re-
spect Of il and Your election. Is there
anything you wish to say concerning
that ?"
Il wish to say--frst, that Mr.. Dou-
glass in writing that letter has, without
intending it, done me no little service,
Just rs General Malone did me a service
by holding his secret conference, the
proceedings of which were all made pub
iio on the 31st day OF July. God makes
the wrath OF man to praise him the re-
mainder he restrains. so l am taught in
the Bible, and the two occurrences here
referred 10 illustrate this Scripture in
great force aud beauty. DO let
Mr.. Douglass write another letter.
He has written two lately which
have fallen stlll-born, both against
me. General Malone has held two con
ferences-,he one having 10 do with my
defeat in the district at large the other
with nv defeat in Petersburg. One
more letter from Douglass, and a third
conference by Malone, and tho gods
shall have made my election sure beyond
doubt God bless such noble work
men. All they need is little strength,
with very little rope, and the work Is en-
tirely completed.
al have not spoken to Mr.. Douglass
for some three years. Then / told him
that such was his constitutional insin-
cerity and hypocrisy as displayed in his
treatment Of myself and family that he
was only now aud cvermoro would be
the object OF my ineffablo contempt.
Since then, without dwelling upon par
ticulars in this matter, which am ready
to meet at any time and with living wit
nesses worthy of every confidence, l
have bad nothing whatever to do with
Mr.. Douglass have not spoken to him ;
have had no communication of any sort
with him; have not replied to anything
be has written or spoken against me,
and now propose to treat his letter to
which youlave referred-unless / should
finally change my mind--with that
silent contempt and scorn which il, Mr..
Douglass, end the persons addressing
him deserve. What beautiful sight it
must have been, and how elifying the
visit to the Hon. William L. Canes,
when the Philosopher Of Cedar HIlI ap-
peared two or three times to suggest to
the present Republicans Of this district
that ne was ready at any time to make
any statement in writing rs might suit
his pleasure and service against John
Mercer Laugstou. Pie old negro orator
will know how true this statement is, and
may debate it with Mr.. Gaines, if he de-
sirpe