Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-04-15
''The Recent Political Deal"

Under the above heading, thu Weekly
Herald, of Petersburg, a paper Published
by colored men, one of the editors Of which
is Scott Wood, native OF this city, and
favorably known here, in its issue of April
4th, publishes what follows, which shows
how wisely Suspicious the intelligent color
ed people are of the recent alliance of Ma
hone and Langston, and how very singerly
they nibble at the bait in the trap set for
them. We give the article Of the Herald
in full as follows
"The recent political alliance. said to be
entered into by Gen. Mahope and ex Con-
gresham Lsngston, has put all well-m can
ing men to studying, especially the thought
full colored brother. For indeed he is
amazed when he contemr lates how bitterly
Geo. Malone fought their cause in 1888
and $780, that he so soon thereafter shonld
be found willing to extend the olive branch.
Every colored man who has been in any.
wise familiar with the General politically,
views this recent deal with much suspicion
and characterizes it simply as a scheme to
regain political ground which the General
has undo lbtedly lost, anS which he now
hopes to gain at the expense of the colored
voters of this District. The General has
! diagnosed the situation thoroughly. He is
| mad with the administration he owes the
men who have dared 20 oppose his will, a
severe punishment; he is opposed to the
presidents re- nomination, and right here
| let US remind the colored voter, that Presi.
dent Harrison has appointed more colored
men to good paying positions than any
other republican president, aud with all
brag and buster, Virginia is the only
southern State, which cannot boast of q
colored man appointed to office by the Pres
ident and its all due to Malone and Ma
honeism,
The General is playing big hand in or
der to get the next delegation from this
State to the next National Convention aud
he has chosen certain men as the cats paw
to assist him in pulling the chestnuts out OF
the FIRE.
What assurance have we, before we en-
ter into this compact that we are to receive
at the hends of the Chairman any better
treatment, than we have received in the
past. In 1888, republican president, a
Senate and House of Congress, together
with member of our race, were by our
assistance elected, yet what has the color.
| gu VOttT W UIdR VI. IL all NliStuia3 d 10 ="
petty offices. Why? Because as the party
lie now Conducted Gen. Malone and his
friends are willing to have rs vote, but
they must hold the offices. We had, by
the movement we made in 1888, started in
| to remedy the evil, but our only chance
has been swallowed up 10 the recent ALI
ance without even consulting the people,
| who have borne the burden IN the heat OF
the day.
We have indeed allowed ourselves to be
| blindly led too much. 1t is time We should
stop, put our heads together and consider
little. We have been consulted 10 the
past Why not nowf The Herald has
ever bean true to the people since its ad.
vent into the field of journalism. 1t has
| stood steadfastly for the rights of the col
ored voter, and the race. Oar political
course has been straightforward. We have
fought, bled, and suffered too much in the
| recent political battles, to stand quietly by
and see the rights for which we have spent
our time, our energy and our money, and
plenty of it, so lightly traded away. Who
knows the result of the bargain2 Who has
seen the articles of agreement? What gain
are we to hope for? Certainly if we are
men, and the fights of 1888 and 1890 have
demonstrated fully that we are, we viii
hesitate to follow any man. no matter how
much We N ay appreciate him, or how i'm.
plicitly trust him, into compact, unless
we are beforehand thoroughly satisfied
that We are without contradiction or
doubt to be amply benefited by the deal.
Look well before you leap, DON'T, for the
good OF our cause, leap in the dark"