Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-28
The Negro as Ponticai Factor I'm
Virginia.

The Republicans in Virginia are in
constant apprehension lest the Demo
Gratis may make the negro the only issue
in the approaching fall campaign. They
well remember that when the Democrats
have drawn closely the co!or.l line. they
(the Republicans) have been badly de-
feated, and hence, in their private discus
sions az well as in their public harangues.
they bitterly assail and denounce the
Democrats with reference to what they
at least suppose will be their position
upon the negro question next fall. They
are evidently greatly alarmed, and are
taking time by the forelock. They are
crying out most Justify Wolf, Wolf, be-
fore the wolf makes his appearance. As
an illustration of their perturbed i'm
aginations q distinguished Republi-
can speaker recently said that the
Democratic cry about negro domination
was all bosh that the negroes only had
about 10000 voters, and hence they
could not dominate the whites. This
statement made without qualification or
addition is calculated to create an errO-
neOus impression upon the minds OF
people who do not think for themselves
1t IL true that the negroes alone and I'M
aided by white men cannot get posses
sion Of the State government. This the
merest tyro in politics distinctly under
stands. But what the large majority Of
the white people fear and complain Of IS
/ that a minority OF the white voters in the
State by appeals 10 the fears, passions,
and aspirations OF the negroes are ona-
+ bled to WELD them MS solid mass
against tho overwhelming white ma
+ iority. The white minority IS en-
/ tifcly impotent without something
/ like the solid negro vote and rice rerSG.
Why, let mo ask. do the negroes vote
/ sohdly with the white minority rather
than with the white mojOriWy sit not
| because they are taught to believe that
/ they are to be rewarded with political
office. and that laws viii be enacted for
/ their special benefit that the large ma
/ iority Of the white people think would
/ be unwise and dangerous to the peace
and welfare OF society and the State
| What does the negro know or care about
| the tariff? The truth IS well known
that you can't teach him anything about
/ il. What does he know or care about
/ the State debt, and what can you teach
/ him about it e? Then what leading
economic questions are there that
are advocated by the white
minority that induce the negro to
vote with them? Not single one. No.
the truth Is that the inducement held
out to the negro is, Is / have above
! stated, that il he will unite with the
white minority and thereby help them
to get control Of the state government,
that he shall enjoy political privileges
that the Democrats withhold from HIM.
Now, claim that, this being the real
condition q the case, provided they
are successful. il is tantsmount TO negro
/ rulc, 10 a very great extent at least. Can
anybody pretend to deny this ? To say
that the white leaders of the party who
may be elected to the Legislature and
10 other official positions chtc7g by negro
votes will completely dominate and con-
troll the negro is entirely too thin forany
one single degree removed from ldlocy
to believe.
No. the truth is the negro has been
fattered and spoiled and had his ambi-
ton and expectations excited to high
degree bv the improper manipulation OF
designing white men until be has come
It last t. believe that he is at least the
equal of the white man socially and po-
Htically. This makes him aggressive
and exacting. and he Will clam OF his
party if successful his share Of the OF
ficas and Of such other privileges not
suited TO his condition as he may think
he IS entitled 70.
With all of these considerations and
truths staring Us in the face and appeal
ing to our reason, how is it possible that
any intelligent mind can believe that the
white minority can, il they ere disposed
keep the negro in his proper place ano
make him entirely sGbservient TO then
will? They will demand OF their white
allies that they give them what Is nom
mated In the bond and how can they
be denied with safety to the integrity o.
their party. and tho continued enjoy
ment of the "loayes and fishes"
TO the Democracy OF the State let me
say be not deceived by the shallow pre-
tence that the negro will not have {
largely-controlling influence in the al
fairs OF our State government If We arr
defeated next TALL stand by your guns
TO the last man, and let us continue tC
have pure white mans government
in old Virginia. CAUCASIAN.
April ~, 1882