The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-03-06
TIE Race Question.
SHELTON, NELSON Co., VA,
EnhrIary 4th 1900

I v A.,
February 4th, 1890. {
10 the Editor Of the Va1ley Virgiaaaan:
Mr.. Editor,-Your editorial on 1.-The
Race Question in your paper, January
Both, has the right ring. Your views are
practical, your conclusions are just.
The partisan and political speeches in
| Congress-; the partisan publications in
the magazines and newspapers of the
country, will never settle the race ques-
ton in the Southern country.
But the continued agitation will in
tensely strain all the conditions of soci-
ETY. and government without producing
any benefit, resulting in destructive
measures to all sections and the people
of the United States.
Take out of Congress the consideration
OF the race question, suspend the publ
cation OF incendiary articles, leave the
intelligent and good, honorable, Chris
tian men and women of - the white race,
and the educated enlightened, and Chris
tlan men Of the colored race, to unite in
mutual effort to advance the moral
and religious condition of the people of
our Southern country-to elevate not
only the ignorant, semi col
ored citizen, but also the ignorant and
uneducated whites to a higher plain of
civilization and Christianity, thus pro-
INducing, in becoming generation, intel
igent, Honorable Christian people of all
races, that may compose the populations
not only of the Southland, but also ali
people throughout the United States of
America. Education, religion, evangel-
ism. higher standard of morality will
result in reducing the number of crimi-
nails in our jails and penitentiaries; will
elevate all classes of society; will refine,
elevate and strengthen the governments,
National, State, and Municipal, and thus
perpetuate the Republic.
Your reference to Rev. w. B. Derrick,
a colored man, who in a recent speech
in New York, gave his views respecting
the race question, which you quoted in
your editorial, if properly followed, will
have beneficial, happy and Christian re-
thoroughly understand the character of
the negro, are familiar with his ways,
and who have an interest in the negro
race, and who are, with very few excep-
tions the best friends the negro or colored
citizen has, will then unite to advise
and aid the colored citizen to advance in
their business and social progress. In
| stead of antagonizing and producing
| trouble between the races, each will act
in concert with the other for the mutual
advancement of both The white man
will use his best efforts of mind and
means to aid the welfare and progress
of his colored neighbor. Friendly,
neghborly feelings will be produced, re-
sulting in good will, friendship and order
between all classes of society and be-
tween all sections of our great and ex-
tie lsive country
/ AS you state in your editorial, 'sthe
virtues of patience and justice mani
tested by both white and colored will
tanned by partisan discussion or the con-
tentions inspired by sectional partisan
ISM
believe Mr.. Derrick's views, if prop
erly carried out, may eventuate in a So
luton of the problem, now SO threatening
to our Southland and the Republic, thus
securing to the Southern States order in
good, moral, intelligent, and Christian
| Government, securing to all classes and
races justice and full political rights-a
general development Of the immense re-
sources of the country, it's expansion in
all directions, securing the prosperity of
the country without the baleful infuen-
ces now produced by political and selfish
meddlers.
| AS the negro or colored citizen advan-
ces in intelligence, in enlightenment,
| in Christianity, he will take his proper
place in the business community and in
| his relations to society. There will al
ways be differences in casts, not alone
among the white races, but also In the
negro race-different grades. Persons
will select their proper level. Glasses
will always exist in society.
We find now in all our Southern cities,
towns, villages, and farming districts,
pure negroes, the black man and the
colored men and womeH, being respected
by their white neighbors, often the most
friendly relation existing between the
white and colored people. The negro
and colored citizen being engaged in bu-
siness as farmers, merchants, mechanics,
laborers, engaged on our railroads, as
porters, BARRIERS, and walters, and in the
various pursuits of civilized life. Some
are engaged in the learned professions,
teachers, preachers, lawyers, and doc
tors.
The native African, the negro Of pure
blood, has demonstrated his aptitude
for acquiring languages and a high stan
dard of education, and in Theological
studies. and in imparting the Gospel OF
Christ to the benighted natives of the
Dark Continent.
will mention as educated and learned
heroes: Samuel Adjar Crowther, the
Episcopal Bishop of the Hizen Territory,
Africa; the Rev. DIR. David W. Blyden,
of the Presbyterian church, Liberia;
Bishop G. ID. Ferguson, of Liberia, a
Bishop of the Episcopal church Of the
| United States and a member of the
House of Bishops; Bishop B. M. Turner
of the A. M. E. church; Rev. Robert b.
Richardson, Principal of the Kicks In
stitute, Liberia, and native of that Re-
public; Ex-Attorney General Hon. B. W.
Grimes, of Liberia, at this time travelling
through the Southern States featuring
ON Liberia, its advantages, resources, &c.;
the Hon. G. 7. o. King, Mayor Of Mo
navia; the Rev. Hon. Ezekiel E. Smith,
of North Carolina, U. S. Minister ssResi-
dent, Liberia; Rev. Paulus Hoost, Rec
tor of Trinity church, city of Monavia.
This clergyman was o member of the
late General Convention of the Episco-
pal church held in the city of New York,
and had the attention of the Conven-
ton in a short speech he made on the
Race question; Rev. W. B. Derrick, for
merly of Staunton, Va, now of New
York.
The above named colored men and ma
tive Africans, with large numbers OF
Intelligent, educated and Christian men
E of Il;