Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-25

A Confession by Implication.

Ex-Governor CAMERON, OF Petersburg, has
hsd experience as an editor, as Governor,
and az lawyer. We may confidently as-
sumo, therefore, that when he makes apublic
speech be weighs well the words be en-
ploys. In his speech OF last Tuesday night
10 the Republicans assembled In Columbus
Hall. on Brosd street, IN this city, Governor
CAMERON, according 10 the Dispstch's report
OF his remarks, declared that be was as white
Is auy man 10 the State, and claimed to be as
honest as any, and said that he Was not afraid
of the negroes. Glow" he asked, could
he fear the one hundred and forty thousand
negroes in the State while there is such
great majority OF whites :"
But did Governor CAMERON weigh those
words? We don't know; but as we have
lust said, we take it for granted that be did.
They are at any rate remarkable words.
They are worthy OF being pondered by all
the people OF Virginia, and especially by the
white men belonging 10 the Republican
party. We may from those words draw the
inference that IL Governor CAMERON resided
in South Carolina, or Louisiana, or Mis-
sissippi, in all OF which States the negroes
constitute q majority OF the population, no
would be, or at any rate might be, afraid
TO act with the Republican party. IL
seems TO US therefore, that it Is bis duty to
the white men in those states to Join HIM
self here In Virginia 10 the party whose al
lies IN South Carolina, Mississippi. and Lou
islapa are white men. Because there Is no
danger OF negro domination in Virginia 1t
does not by any means follow that there IL
no danger OF negro domination In the other
States which we have named. The white
men OF all the southern States should stand
shoulder to shouder-esch for sill, all for
each. "An injury 10 one ougk to be re-
garded as an injury to ALL" How can Cow
ernor CAMERON excuse himself for training
with the Philistines II be purposes in the end
10 fight with the armies OF Israel?
The reason which Governor CAsERoN
gives for not fearing negro domination In
this State Is, we repeat, that there Is such a
great majority OF white votes here. Truly,
~ we have said, this Ia q remarkable reason.
IT IL as II Governor CAMERON had said that
he did not fear the Republican party because
the Democratic party was 80 much stronger;
or, that he did not fear the enemies OF good
government because the friends ofgood gov
ernmeDt were so much more numerous. II the
worst comes to the wOrst-if It shall at any
time appear that the negroes are about TO
take possession OF the old Common wealth
by the aid OF the white Republiclns--then
and 10 that case, so we are left TO infer, the
white Republicans will assure the safety OF
the State by coming over TO the Democratic
party. But wouldn't 1t be better for them
70 Join their white brethren before, under
stress OF negro domination aud other unfa-
yorable gales, the old ship OF State shall be
about to sink beneath the black waves? We
submit this question to the attentive con-
siderstion Of all the white Republicans In
Virginia.
Governor CAMERON cannot plead igno-
rance IS to the nature Of the problem which
confronts the southern people. Hon. john
s. WISE, who spoke in Columbus Halt the
same evening Governor CAMERON made the
speech upon which we are commenting.
recently clearly pointed out the one overmas-
termg issue which is now presented for de-
cision by the southern people. No doubt
his remarks have been read by Governor
CAMERON, but we will take the liberty TO ask
him to read them again. In n speech which
he lately made In New York city Mr. WISE
said
1--WE cannot Ignore The fact that the ques.
tion confronting the southern people is one
of the domination OF intelligence.
Transplant this audience OF about four hum
dred men to Mississippi with their families
and fortunes. Send away from there. IL you
choose, every rebel In the State. Leave there
the 100. 900 DewlY-eniranchised voters under
the great manhood-suHrage idea. What q
fine Puritan colony we would have! Do
you think, gentlemen, that YOU would SIT
down contentedly IN political subsection 10
the Majority You may think so. / do not.
Let me tell you that no matter what
the form Of suffrage, the intelligence and the
wealth which | see here assembled would
never, IN those circumstances, surrender the
land without q struggle, would never yield
their dominating influence AID live in SUBJ
ie :tion while Ignorance rode over you"
II the question confronting the southern
people ia what Mr. WISE says 1t is, how can
even for d season when be knows that "the
intelligence aud wealth which he sees here
IN Virginia" demand OF him that be shall
align himself with the men who, MIR. Wise
says. will never /" surrender the land with
out struggle "-who "will never yield
their dominating influence and live IN SUBJ
lection while Ignorance rides over then" ?