The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-03-28
An Incendiarv Speech.

te'coyer their shortcomings and conceal
their record both in State and National
legislation. The following report of a
speech delivered by Judge II. W Flour
noy. Secre!aryof the Commonwealth. in
Richmond last week before the Powhatan
Club of hat city, is taken from the cor
respondence of the Petersburg Iader- Ap-
peal 1t will be seen from it what. one
high in Democratic counsels and conf
dence has to say, and that his incendiary
utterances met the approval of a large
number Of the prominent members of the
party who were present. A blind~man
can see the purpose of the speaker and the
party. The fact is recognized that they
cannot go befole the people upon any live.
practical issue affecting the interests Of
the Commonwealth. They know the peo-
pie would condemn them upon their adj
ministTative and legislative record. 1t is
to save the party from irretreyabe defeat
that this last resort of desperation is ap
pealed to. Read it and then determine
whether party that is capable Of form
rng such an issue and Of pressing it upon
the people is worthy of public confidence.
There was never a more fragrant, auda-
cious insult offered to the fathers and
daughters of the Commonw wealth than is
thrust before the public in this atrocious
speech. That it will 1ecoiiupon its author
and those who approve it we have not the
| least doubt. The report represents Judge
| Flournoy as saving:
There we're no doubt men In the audience
| who differ on the tariff. on matters OF finance
In the government, on religion. and about al
most everything but there is one subject upon
which alLcan unite. and that is that the per.
! petuation of the government must be secured
! through the white race Our duty as white
! men. said he. is to call the attention of the
country to this great issue-whch shall rule
I the white man or the negro: Why the
! right of suffrage conferred upon the negro by
| the Republican party: The Republicans
| doubtly had motive. and the Judge said he
was going to tell his hearers what it was. III
/ speaking of the Republican party he referred
/ i'll particular to the leaders. for there are hum
dreds of thousands of men who vote the ticket
who don't know the fifteenth amendment 10
the constitution forced down The Threats
of the people and he believed the day was COM
/ ing when the fifteenth amendment would be
declared unconstitutional by the supreme
court ofthe'United States. because it was I'M
constitutionally adopted. Continuing, the
speaker said the only issue between the whites
and blacks is whether the daughters of the
| former shall marry the sons OF the latter. He
called upon his white brethreu to staLd to-
| gether and make the negro stand from under,
or else they would be unworthy OF eirrevolu-
tionary ancestors. The judge declared that he
| n, at,sx,,f mn
Lying issue is the white man against the negro.
! In concluding the speaker said be was very
hopeful. He believed the time coming
i when the negro viii not have right to vote,
/ but will still enjoy all tn rights of person and
| property. II e would appeal to the world to
| come and see the sonth and help solve this
| great problem which aonfronts as This is the
| only issue i'll the coming campaign, and il he
was chairman of the Democratic part md sent
o canyasser to speak and II the canyasser
opened his mouth before the people about the
| tariff state debt or any issue save the
supre macy of the white the negro he
/ would kick such canvasser out of the field.
The Judge wanted the battle fought out on this
| issue, and he felt assured that grand victory
would be The result.
! Judge Flourney's speech creates coed deal
OF discussion. Whilst rev SAY that they are
afraid his remarks about DISTINGUISHING the
negro were somewhat extreme, the majority
with whom have talked to-day endorse every
word that the speaker said. When the Judge
said he was hopeful that the time was coming
when tue negro would haYe the mors
ultra of his listeners clapped most enthusi
astcally. One thingi Is certain, all the Demo-
| Gratis here-leaders and rank and hIe-are
/ agreed to the Importance of drawing the
! color line in the next campaign for all it is
syorth and in making 1t paramount to all other
issues
| Judge Floarnoy knows that there are no
white fathers who desire their daughters
| to marry colored men and no white daugh
! tiers who wish to unite with colored sons
| He knows that such condition is simply
impossible and that it is atrocions to
speak of that as being an issue in Virginia
or elsewhere.
| Ee knows that there is no purpose on
tend for negro rule"-that no such
thought is in the mind of any white Or
colored voter in the State, and that its
suggestion by him is the work of partiZan
! desperation. regardless of all the proprie-
ties which are allied with society, and all
lie knows there Is no sincerity In what
he says. except as a partizan device, and
! be ought to know taht a campaign such as
! he would inaugurate would be rninous to
the State, arresting its progress and para
| iyzing development.
AS we have elsewhere stated, from "a
party standpoint, Republicans would not |
fear the Issue Judge Flournoy presents
They feel very confident that the people |
| will frown upon party and the men who
may seek 70 stir up race strife, to intlame
passion and aggravate prejudiees, which
have no place in a legitimate campaign. |
They are i'll no humor for any such Gia-
bOlcal program and will show their abhor-
renee of it.by eondemning at the ballot box |
the man and the party who will attempt to
introduce It,