The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-24

| Ofed SchOOI, at Blue Ridge springs, which
is an elegant testimonial Of the manner In
which the administration Of Governor
Mckinney is approved and endorsed by
an intelligent and educated representa-
tive OF the colored race. That letter reads
as follows:
Blue Ridge Springs, Va,
December 10, 1898.
Governor Phil Mckinney. Richmond, Va:
Dear Sir: AS a colored citizen Of this
| Commonwealth, / desire TO thank you
Tor your able. fearless impartial mes
sage, recently submitted TO the Legisla-
ture. In many respects l regard it as
the ablest document presented TO that
august body since the war. Your recon-
mendations in regard to the penitentiary
are timely, humane, and exhaustive and
md responsive cord I'm the hearts OF
| every cclored citizen i'm this grand, old
| Commonwealth
| For twenty years / have labOred among
my people as a teacher, and am interest
! ed In their moral. intellectual. and relig-
ious elevation, and hail with pleasure
| any thing that tends to the betterment
| Of their condition.
Your lest public utteran,es have i'm
pressed me with the fact that you are a
true Nirginan, a patriot and statesman.
III you our people have had a true friend.
you nave not acted the part OF a dema-
soBue 10 gam popularity with the masses
but have labored fearlessly. CON
sclentioGsly. and honestly for Virginia.
ana her people, regardless IF race. creed.
caste, or nationality. Such men are the
hesros best and truest friends-and
thank God, the day is not far distant
when he will gratefully Acknowledge
this fact and will vote. work. and make
friends with the white people of this
southland.
Not Hostile to Ia.
Certain colored papers, purporting to
be edited In the interest Of our race. have
credited you with hostility 10 our people.
and being in favor Of Lynch Law"
Your reference to mob-law is all that
could be desired I fully endorse every
syllable and in the name Of eight mil
mons OF your felloW-citizens and from the
depth Of my heart, / thank.
Nhen you retire from the executive
mansion. the prayers Of our people VIII
follow you TO your home. May your de-
Ginning years be spent in peace and happi-
ness and that your influence may live
ana exert itself after you shall have
gone to that rest that "remaineth for |
the people Of Cod" Very respectfully.
ZACHARTAH HUNT.
Principal Blue Ridge Colored School.
Please favor me with a few lines IN |
answer To this, that l may keep in CRATE |
iul remembrance.
IN appreciation Of The sentiments ex-
pressed In the above letter, Governor Nc
Kinney sent the following reply:
Commonwealth Of Virginia.
Richmond. December q, 1893.
Mr. Zachariah Hunt. Principal Blue
Ridge Colored School, Blue Ridge
Springs. Va:
Dear Sir: Your kind letter has been
received and carefully read by me. ]
am obliged 10 YOU for it, Ii is very
srdtiying when j am about TO retire
from the arduous and responsible duties
OF the Office Of Governor OF the Stale Of
Virginia TO feel that my labors have
met with the approval OF. the people. 1
have received "a very large number Of
letters OF consratulation, but few OF
them have given me more real salts
faction than yours. IL is evidently writ
ten by man Of sense and by a man OF
character
An effort has been made I'm certain
quarters TO incite a prejudice among
the people Of your race against my adj
and that without any
in fact. to sustain the
charges. l have always admitted the
claims or your race, and everything has
been done for your people which could
be done in "A proper way.
nave pardoned many OF them. and
have always given their petitions
careful hearing, and have acted favor
ably whenever there was sufficient cause
10 sustain my action OF the number OF
hose white and colored who have been
ynched no official notification has ever
la l. O.. "a |
he act was done, OF its probable occur
.ence, or which would warrant me i'm
ioing more than have done.
No Race Prejudice.
Whenever the civil authorities have
allied upon me asking protection of a
'erson accused IL has always been I
promptly given, and in no instance re- S
used. No one has been more troubled ,
nan l at any lawlessness which has r
occurred In the Commonwealth The I
has caused me much y
hought' It's many occupants grieved me ;
orely l have endeayored 10 do all / ?
ould to so amend the laws as TO d. &
finish the number Of prosecutions, and y
ave expense TO the people.
The colored schools. everywhere, and y
he colleges the insane asylums, and the :
nurches Of your people, all go 10 prove II
Al
be races. which should be fostered. and =
rove that he who would prejudice one
ace against the other IS an enemy TO
9th. For generations we have lived
'gether, and / do not believe that there -
country upon the globe where the
-ws are better or more justly admin /
tered for the good Of both races than
Virginia.
In Favor Of Good Feeling.
Then why not cultivate a friendly !
brit rather than a spirit OF hate and I
strust? Why continue TO keep in sight !
le wrongs complained Of rather than
Joice In seeing and knowing the good
men has been received? When the |
mites are charged with unkindness. ask
no made you a teacher. and who is l.
lucating your children? To whom are
~ Indebted for the protection which
e law affords for your insane asylums h
II your unfortunate lunatics, for the IL
mshouses in every county for those |
ed?
-t would be impossible for me I'm a IL
iet letter 10 cite the numerous acts Of | =
ndness, or to endeavor 10 argue at I !
lgth IN favor Of harmony and good
elings between the races. =
Your letter satisfied me OF your IN
ligence and that you will do all in NJ
ur power TO correct the effort 10 preju-
&c your people by those who are false
your interests and 10 mine.
write In much haste. / trust Won
II be long preserved 10 instruct your