Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-18
AsPENWALL AROUSED.
\ Reply to the Card of w. w. Henry,


Aspenwall, Charlotte County, Va,
November 15 1896
TO the Editor OF the Dispatch:
There appeared in the Richmond Times
Of the 9th instant a communication from
Mr.. w. w. Henry, Jr.. which, he states,
reflects upon the methods Of the Demo-
Gratis at the Aspenwall Precinct. We
hope that I'm a spirit of fairness you will
publish th-ir defence.
Mr.. Henry states that he aspired TO be
one of the judges at our precinct. The
law in regard to selecting judges is gene
! rally known; and we simply say that we
cannot see that 10 make Mr. Henry one
of the Judges was the sole and only
proper method Of conducting an election
at our precinct.
Mr.. Henry stated that two gentlemen
of one club communicated with him, and
warned him 10 desist; that otherwise
they thought he would be insulted, and
that personal violence would be used.
They do not remember that any assertion
was made that he would suffer personal
violence. But whatever was said was
said in confidence. and to shield Mr.
Henry. and they are surprised that he
should have published their utterances
for a political purpose.
IL was very apparent that the voters
OF Mr.. Henry's own race were reused TO
a high degree of indignation. because he
was the first man Of high social and fam
ny position at our precinct who had
ever engaged I'm such work. which. he
admits. was most distasteful TO him;
also. because half a dozen gentlemen
aver that after casting his vote, he said
ne was going home. Also. because many
more said that he announced that he
hat xyh n no
would be open and above board; but his
views in regard TO conduct may differ
from ours The people were indignant
because they truly believed that Mr.. FL
tyson and his highest legal advisers were
right I'm pronouncing such work as Mr.
Henry was engaged in TO be a violation
OF law. This tallying on the roadside
distinctly drew a lire between the Nc
Kinley supporters and other negro voters,
thereby preventing the negro from
casting a free and secret ballot They
were Indignant because Mr.. Henry post
lively asserted that he came TO the polls
IN vote. and to work In an
omen and above-board manner for
the Palmer and Buckner ticket, and then
spent the day, so long as permitted
secluded in negro church by the
wayslde, taking afiidavits Of Mckinley
negro voters, and aid not secure one vote
for his own ticket and. he says, did not
suggest 20 one Of them to vote for his
uhe Palmer ticket Mr.. Henry may
explain these seeming Inconsistencies.
We simply give them as reasons for the
great indignation of the people.
Another cause Of Indignation may not
have been known 10 Mr. Henry. The
negro church In which Mr. Henry was
doing his political work was given by us
20 our colored neighbors with the con-
dltion that II should be used for religious
purposes only. The moment Mr. Henry
entered upon his work-if with the know
ledge or consent OF the officers or mem
hers OF that church-he took away from
fhese poor people the right TO their pro-
perty. IL exasperated our white people
that Mr.. Henry should have selected this
special building for his purposes.
Owing to acts OF kindness by many
Of our white people. more kindly feel
ING than usual between the races has
visited here. Mr.. Henry's brief residence
among us may have made him ignorant
Of this. and OF the fact that We resist
ANYTHING tending to disrupt this pleasant
relation.
Mr.. Henry should not put too high q
value on these afidayits. because highly