Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-24
ENDORSED FOR TEN YEARS.
HE THANKS THE GOVERNOR.


HE THANKS THE GOVERNOR.
Correspopdeuce Between Colored Teacher
and virginia's Executive.
The following correspondence might be
read with profit by those who would seek
to stir up bad feeling between the two
races in Virginia:
BLUE RIDGE SPRINGS, Dec. 10. 1893.
Governor Phil. Mckinney. Richmond. Va:
MyDear Slr,-As a colored citizen OF
this Commonwealth, l desire to thank
you for your able. fearless. impartial
message, recently submitted 10 the Legis-
lature. In many respects, 1 regard 1t as
the ablest document presented TO that
august body since the war Your re-
concentrations In regard TO the peni-
Tertiary are timely. humane, and ex-
haustive, and find a responsive chord In
the hearts of every colored citizen In
this grand old Commonwealth.
For twenty years have labored among
my people as teacher. and am inte-
rested in their moral, intellectual, and
religious elevation, and hail with plea
sure anything that tends to the better
ment of their condition.
Your last public utterances have Inn
pressed me with the fact that you are
true Virgininn, a patriot, and statesman.
In you our people have had true friend.
LABoRED FEARLEsSLY.
You have not acted the part of n
demagogue to gain popularity with the
masses, but have labored fearlessly, con-
scientlously, and honestly for Virginia
and her people, regardless Of race, creed,
hob hA
negro's best and truest friend, and,
when he will gratefully acknowledge
this fact and Will vote. work, and make
friends with the white people OF this
southland.
Certain colored papers. purporting TO be
edited in the interest OF our race, have
credited you with hostility TO our peo-
pie and being In favor of lynch law"
Your reference to mob law is all that
could be desired. ] fully endorse every
syllable, and in the name Of 100000
OF your fellow-citizens, and from the
depths of my heart 1 thank you.
When you retire from the Executive
Mansion the prayers of our people will
follow you 10 your home. May your de-
cllning years be spent in peace and hap
piness and that your influence may live
and exert itself after you shall have
gone to that rest that 'remaineth for
the people Of God"
Very respectfully,
ZACHARIAH HUNT,
Principal Blue Ridge COlored School.
Please favor me with a few lines In
answer to this that l may keep in CRATE
full remembrance.
THE GOVERNORS REPLY.
To this communication Governor Nc
Kinney replied:
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.
RICHMOND, December Il, 1898.
Mr. Zacariah Hunt, Principal Blue Ridge
Colored School, Blue Ridge Springs, Va:
Dear Sr,-Your kind letter has been re-
ceived and carefully read by me. l am
obliged to you for II. IL Is very crafty
ing when / am about 10 retire from tho
arduous and responsible duties OF the Of
fee of Governor of the State OF Virginia
to feel that my labors have met with the
approval of the people. | have received
q very large number OF letters of con-
graduation, but few OF them have given
me more real satisfaction than yours. II
is evidently written by a man or sense
and by a man OF character.
An effort has been made In certain quar-
ters to incite a prejudice among the peo-
pie OF your race against my admnistra-
ton, and that without any foundation. IN
fact to sustain the charges. 1 have al
WAYS admitted the claims OF your race.
and everything has been done for your
people which could be done in proper
way.
l have pardoned many OF them, and have
always given their petitions a careful hear
ing. and have acted favorably whenever
there was sufficient cause 70 sustain my
action. or the number Of those white and
colored who have been lynched no Of
fetal notification has ever been given 10
me. either before or after the act was
done, Of its probable occurrence, or which
would warrant me in doing more than L
have done.
SUSTAINED CIVIL AUTHORITIES.
Whenever the civil authorities have
called upon me asking protection OF per-
son accused it has always been promptly
given and In no instance refused. NO one
has been more troubled than L at any
lawlessness which has occurred in the
Commonwealth. The penitentiary has
caused me much thought; its many occu-
pants grieved me sorely. l have endeay-
ored to do all / could 70 so amend the
laws as to diminish the number OF prose-
cutions, and save expense to the people.
Inc tOlOItu StiOolc, tNNA9 CIV
the colleges, the insane asylums, and the
churches OF your people. all 80 TO prove
the good feelings which exists between the
races, which should be fostered, and prove
that he who would prejudice one race
against the other Is an enemy to BOTH
For generations we have lived together
and do not believe that there Ii a coun-
try upon the globe where the laws are
better or more Justly administered for the
good OF both races than In Virginia
CULTIVATE FRIENDLY FEELING.
Then why not cultivate a friendly spirit.
rather than a spirit OF hate and distrust?
Why continue 10 keep in sight the wrongs
complained of. rather than rejoice in see
ing and knowing the good which has been
received? When the whites are charged
with unkindness, ask who made you a
teacher, and who Is educating your chill
dren? To whom are you indebted for the
protection which the law affords for your
insane asylums, for your unfortunate luna
tics. for the almshouses in every county,
for those OF your race who are dependent
and in need?
IL would be impossible for me in a brief
letter to cite the numerous acts of kind
ness, or to endeavor to argue at length
in favor OF harmony and good feelings
between the races.
Your letter satisfied me OF your intelli-
gence, and that you will do all In your
power TO correct the effort to prejudice
your people by those who are false TO
your interests and to mine.
/ write In much haste. / trust you win
be long preserved to instruct your people.
and to be an example to them In all
things. l am.
Very Truly Your Friend,
p. w. MKINNEY,
Governor OF Virginia.
Property Transfers.
ptch,rand. w II I,ynus 70 Emma G.