Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-25
Hostile Legislation.

Three weeks hence the Virginia Demo-
cratic State Convention will be held in this
city. What it will determine to do as to a
platform. we have no better means Of know
ing than anyboIy else. But that convention
will be likely 10 formulate creed-one too
short 10 be destructively criticised, or too
long TO be misreprcsented successfully.
Let that body do. however, what else it
will. il ought TO demand Of the Republic
can party in Virginia a clear pledge 20
stand by the old Commonwealth in case
the malignants in Congress shall under
take 10 indulge in legislation hostile 20
the South.
The appointment Of two negroes upon
the School Board of this city in 1888 by
Governor CAMERON doomed him to per-
petual retirement. and aroused that eau
casian indignation which resulted in the
rout that year Of the Mahonetes. As the
shot that was fred at Lexington was heard
round the world, so the news that the white
pupils Of the public schools Of tins city
were to be overseered by negroes kindled a
blaze Of fiery zeal in the breasts of the
whites from the seabOard 10 the mountains
and from the Potomac TO the North Caro-
lima line. The first attack that was made
upon Governor CANERoNs act was the pre-
sage and foretoller Of certain victory.
The evident purpose of the malignants
in Congress 10 legislate against the South
next winter should be met by our people
by strong protest, not 30 say fierce de-
nunciation, and every white Nirginian
should be called upon TO rally to the sup
port Of the party which viii with all its
might oppose such legislation. The
southern Republicans have it in their
power to put stop to the war
upon the South If even one half
Of the southern Republicans in Congress
will stand 10 their colors as southern men,
they can defeat by good majority all bills
framed for the purpose of humlliating the
South. There is no doubt as TO this fact.
The Republican majority in the House Of
Representatives is only three. The num-
Der of southern Republicans in the House
j. sixteen OF seventeen. 1t Is easy to see.
therefore, that Congress cannot Cypress
this section, nor put our elections under
the control of negroes and other partisans,
without the advice and consent of the Re
pubicans representing southern districts.
Indeed, the Republicans representing
Virginia districts have it within their
power TO veto all measures Objectionable
10 their constituents, rs surely would be a
measure giving negroes control Of our
elections.
We don't think that any more crushing
charge could be brought against the Re
publcans of Virginia than that they aided
and abetted the northern malignants in
their war upon the Old Dominion and her
southern sisters. And there IL no reason
to doubt that the Republicans in Congress
intend to do this great wrong. The whole
Republican party of the North seems TO be
bent upoI. it, The Ohio Republican plat
form, upon which stands Pussy FORAKER,
one Of the most malignant of the malig-
nants, threatens the South III the words fol-
lowing:
First We renew our adherence TO
protection 10 every American citi-
zen in the exercise of his political rights
and privileges"
That means stationinc negroes at our
voting-places to control all of our congress
aonal elections.
Therefore. the Democratic State COnven-
ton should draw the lines where they will
be drawn as soon as Congress meets and
organizes. We have great work before
us. The worst fight that the oppressed
South will have had with her Republican,
sectional enemies will be the one which is
to come of in Washington next winter.