The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-07
GOOD ADVICE TO NEGROES, But
VIRGINIA Is DEMOCRATIC.

We find in the Washington Post the
following letter:
Editor Post.-Congressman edurray will
find himself greatly mistaken If he thinks
lie can utilize the influence of the ne
groes of the District of Column
bia as factor in securing TO
their brethren of South Carolina
freedom from alleged political OPP
preston. l have lived in the South long
enough to know something about the
conditions which environ the coiored race
there, and while l do not deny that in
many sections the negro is deprived of
the constitutional right of suffrage |
must bear testimony to the fact that
the course pursued by the whites for the
purpose OF keeping their dusky neigh
bors within proper bounds is not alto
gether without justification. ] say this
as q Republican, and not as a Southern
negro-hater.
shall not undertake to deny Mr.. Muir
rays statement that the woes of the
negroes of South Carolina are the re-
suit OF misplaced confidence in Demo-
cratic leaders. That may be true in
his State. but II is certainly not here in
Virginia, where the color question has
really been the paramount issue for years.
/ do not fear successful contradiction of
the statement that respectable MAORI
~ OF the white voters OF the Old Do
minion are at heart Republicans, and
would be voting with that party now
were II not that with few exceptions,
they dcspise and fear the men who have
been commissioned as its leaders. These
fellows. many Of whom have been fat
ten.ng upon the life-blood of the Repuh-
lean party in the South for more than
thirty years. by playing upon the ig-
rorance OF the negroes rs a means OF
accomplishing their selfish ends. have
not only driven thousands of good men
from Its ranks, but have fan
ned the embers OF racial hatred
into consuming flame, which
II is now impossible for either
state or national legislation 10 check
The question I'm the South is not, whether
the negro shall be permitted 10 vote but
whether by the exercise of the right OF
suffrage, he shall be permitted TO aid
a horde OF INSCRIPTIONS demagogues in
overiufning conditions absolutely essen
ual 70 good government. and the growth
and prosperity of the country: or, to state
the case differently. whether the interests
OF the people shall be sacrificed for the
benefit OF pack OF plunder-huntlng Re-
publican politicians. who are as much de-
spised by the decent element OF their own
party as they are by those who CON-
pose the opposing organization. l. do
not doubt that The same state OF affairs
exists in South Carolina. where the col
ored population exceeds the white by
mo re than 10000
Mr.. Murray's plan TO create a senti-
ment here and elsewhere which will cause
Congress 10 take hold OF the negro prob
lem In South Carolina. will prove a
la
would be as bitterly antagonized by
Southern Republicans as by Democrats,
and would end In making the condition of
the black man worse than II was be-
fore. THEhE is BUT ONE HOPE
FOR THB NEGRO. AND THAT HOPE
is DEPENDENT UPON HIS PUBLISH
ING TO THE WORLD A DECLARA-
TON OF ABSOLUTE POLITICAL IN
DEPENDENCE. lie MUST FREE
HIMSELF FROM THOSE WHOSE ONLY
PURPOSE IS TO USE HIM TO FUR
Their ENDS OF GREED AND AVA
RICE. HID MUST GAIN A LARGE
MEASURE OF sELF-REsPEcT. AND
RE CONTENT TO MOVE IN A SOCIAL
SPHERE WHICH DOES NOT EN-
CROACH UPON THAT ESTABLISHED
By THE WHITE MAN. AND HE MUST
DE SATISFIED. If HE WOULD LIVE
IN TKlB SOUTH. TO PURSUE THE
EVEN TENOR OF HIS MAY. WITH
OUT CHERfSHING POLITICAL AMBI-
TtON. tcaps ours.)
Not only y the day AZ hand when he
can no longer depend upon the Repub-
Mean party TO stand a. his champion. but
tho TINA issrapidly approaching when he
win have the white man for HIS COM
pstitor IN the broad field Of labor now al
iotted 10 him predict that the early years
Of tho coming century VIII witness the
everlasting settlement OF the negro prob
lem. and the greatest Of all the factors
which win play . part In :ts soiution
Vim - immigration. Ample support for
this statement may BE- found In study
Of the last census figures.
DiowARD y. TAFT.
Washlntspn. y. c., Jay y.
~ know nothing Of who Mr.. TAFT ~