Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-29

Dco
the Times to avoid direct notice OF US in
Its zeal TO engage with the Dispatch, but
propose briefly and cour,eously 10 re-
view some OF tia structures upon those
who supported the Walton bill and those
who now advocate "A constitutional con-
yentlon.
AZ the outset, We fail 20 see the c0nse-
quence OF the confession" referred to,
granting that the purport OF our article
was correctly represented. That confess
sion would establish nothing but the eil-
tOrial opinion Of a modest Newspaper;
and could by no possibility AFFORD proof
OF the motive which governed the Legs
latnre In enacting the new election-Aw.
The Legislative intent" which the Times
gathers so easily from the ales OF coun-
try newspapers has formerly employed
the best talents OF bench and bar and
been the subject OF prolonged adjui'ca-
ton In the highest courts OF the Com
! monwealth. II the new mode 81 interpre-
tatlOn be correct the lclrnng OF the
law and the precedence OF the bench are
useless distractions to the administration
OF government.
No doubt, as a matter OF fac. n variety
OF motives actuated the Legislature IN
shaping the e,ecti0n-,a ws-al honorable
and patriotic, as mr. as We know and be-
lieye. To cur,an the use ~ money IN
elections, to augment TIE secrecy OF the
ballot, 10 suppress the "heeler" ana the
tickei-poi.er u Insure greater peace and
tranquility al the polls, and. II you please,
10 rcpress in some sections . port IN. 81
the ignorant and ven1l vote. were Obiects
any one Of which might have Justified an
honorable and patriotic legislator In n
r. M A. Il
the se8rcaer OF the hearts OK our fellow
men, nor able 10 pronounce * clthcila
upon the infinite motives which move
mankind. We feet neither disposed n)r
competent to pass sentence upon ,ur lazy
makers
The truth IS, whenever the walton law
IS mentioned. the "disfrauch.scms mt OF
the negro looms up before the T!mes's
terrified vision Ike King Charles the
Flrsts head" which so afflicted poor
Dir. Dick In David Copperhcld'
The Virginia Legislature, composed two
third OF delegates from white COO
st.tueucies, who have no local concern
about the rights OF the ncgrO. cannot
assemble 70 formulate a public policy
adapted 10 the needs Of the whole Com
mcnweaith without being charged with
conspiracy against "Slmbo.'
after all, what solution does our critic
offer OF the grayest problem that con-
fronts the people Of Virginia aal the
South? None. but that the negro shall
rule those uniOrtu ate Communities,
where his race constitutes a majority
OF the population. The same solution
which We had years ago az the hands
OF the carpet-bassins laggarls. who de-
vcEred the land, the same which we
can have now at tho hands Of Lodge
and Reed with their force bills"
II the Times does not mean this, 1t
means an appeal to physical force-in-
sCrrectiOn, eXterm.natioH. How are THE
vlrile and strons men to bestr them
selves and assert their right 70 rule in
each neighbornOod?' Gentle Shepherd,
tell me howe" What, after kindness
and perfect justice 10 the negro" has
been dispensed. II hs should sill decline
10 vote with his white uelghbors. as
he generally has done ard generally viii
do? Then. we infer the 'Nir.le ami
strong meu" must arise with hludgeons
and assert their risht 70 rule" Vi ct
armis.
Very simple work. 70 be sure; no
mississippi trick" about this; not bril-
liant nor grand, but war.
1t Is easy 10 talk Lightly Of danger
when safe In the rear, a citizen ~
Richmond with its great white popula-
ton. need have small appre henslon that
the freedman can menace his peace or his
prosperity; but the people OF Alecklen-
burg and rowhatan d. not delude them
selves into false Qu.etude because they
are quietly assured that Virginia CON
tains n majority OF white people. That
fact ia but small consolation y them.
when their treasurers their magistrates.
their legislators are 10 come from an
alien race who outnumber them two 70
ore.
Destroy n mans home. ana II IS poor
service - bid him be content because
the capital and the State Is safe The
picture IS not imaginary but drawn from
the actual history AMI experience Of
Southside virginia; AMI II the nostrums
Of some physicians are followed, the
drama will be re-enactaI.
But is it not time this sentimental con-
tention for nocro rights should cease?
In Congress and IN the pr'es the agita-
ton produces only discorl. In the end
each community must resolve and act
for ITSELF alone. Where ~" pressure Is
great. as with US. appeal WI 90 forth %
the patriotism and sympathy % other
sections for a statute or n constitution
that will preserve prosperity and peace,
that denied. which God forbid. a den'er
resort may invoke the "yir!le and strong
man" 10 work ont the salvation ~ his
race as best he may
The Times is a great newspaper. i'e edi-
tor brilliant lawyer and journalist
would that his pen was employed in q
better cause than an attempt 10 DISTRICT
the efforts ot a brave. but unfortunate
and long suffering people 70 RID them
selves OF the menace ~ negro rule.