Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-19
SIGNIFICANT Light.

Mr.. JAMES REDPATH, than whom ln
the days Of abolition excitement no
man was more bitter against the South,
has in great degree revised his opinions
regarding our people. In ante-bellum
times Mr.. REDPATH wrote from afar of,
and, like most of his genus, bis igno-
rance of the South and her institutions
was exceled only by his prejudice. Now
he is writing from amongst us. His
style is not less vigorous than OF
yore, but time. personal observa-
ton, and reason have Drought
him nearer to truth and justice,
and he seems, as far as in his power
lies, to be striving to make amends for
his past errors and Interpretations.
In a recent letter to the Boston Heraid
he takes up the negro question, and his
utterances are in marked contrast with
extracts that could be produced from
some of his previous wrItings-even
some of his writings of as late date as
the reconstruction period. He still
teaches some false doctrine, as for in
stance when he says the carpet
baggers, as n class, were as honest
as any other public men. The
history Of reconstruction shows
that the honest carpet Dagger was the OK
ception. The arpet-baggers stole almost
everything portable they could put their
hands on. 1t is surmised that had they
possessed the knowledge OF hosting and
transportiDgdy namics supposed by many
to have been possessed 10y the ancient
Egyptians, not a few of our mountains
would now adorn the flat regions Of the
North. They purloincd on occasions as
Mrs. TooDLEs bought, not because
they had use for the article, but be-
cause it might come in. However,
That aside. The carpet Dagger has
been consigned to the political cate
combs. from which he will hardly be
rcsurrected Notwithstanding the efforts
in that direction Of JOHN SIBERIAN,
CHANDLER, MURAT HALsTEAD, and the
rest Of the malignants. Mr.. RRDPATH
atones for his consideration for the car
pet-bagger by stating number OF facts.
After expressing the opinion that there
is a large ingredient Of humbug in the
cry against the solid South for the reason
that so long rs the negroes are solid for
the Republicans Just so long will the
whites remain solid for the Democrats,
he SAYS
"Ihere is also n good deal of cant
about the suppression Of the negro vote.
The negroes never had anything 20 say
anv influence whatever during the re-
construction perod-about the practical
management Of the party or the selection
Of candidates. Halt dozen white men,
either northern men or southern Repub-
Leans, selected candidates and dictated
platforms and policy.
They consolidated the black vote as n
distinct and hostile force against the
white vote
Yes, arrayed the negroes against the
whites, their best friends. But hear
Mr.. RrDPATH again:
There is the best OF feeling existing
between the two races. With the dis
persiOn of the class stigmatized as car
pet-baggers. the blacks have lost nearly
AL their reconstruction interest in poll
tics They have found that freedom
meant wages for work, not free water
melon-patch paradise, and the natural
influence Of a race, educated in political
devices, and knowing Its own purposes
and how to achieve them, has at last re-
asserted itself.
And again:
"With the dispersion Of their old
white northern leaders the southern
whites have resumed their traditional
position toward the blacks-good will,
kindly feeling, but no federation to ne
gro rule III politics nor to social
equality
What a striking commentary these ex-
cerpts are upon tho hypocrisy and SLAM
ders of the malgnants and their pre-
tended love for the negro. Coming from
man Of Mr. REDPATH's antecedents,
do they not throw a most significant
light upon the methods and purposes Of
the grand old party"