Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-31

chusetts the Hon. Isaac Il. Allen"
member OF the Governors Council. Is the
"casus belli."
Night before last a ball was given to
the Legislature In the State-House at
Charleston. w. Va The Committee OF
Arrangements refused TO send an invita-
ton 20 Payne. They did not wish Payne
TO be present, and, accordingly declined
to enter his name upon the list OF per-
sons 20 whom invitations were to be sent.
Payne became very angry and indignant
at this, we may presume. inasmuch as
number OF his political fraters refused TO
attend the ball. because OF the slight
put upon him.
However. the ball went on. all the
same, and was very enjoyable we have
no doubt. But some OF the Republicans
are making a great howl over the slight
TO Payne. We suppose that they have
n constitutional right 10 howl and we
hope that no one will attempt TO stop
them. The only other thing that they
can do IS TO have another ball. 10 which
Payne shall be invited. and the society
folk shall be "cut." This ought to even
up things. Governor MacCorkle is to
give a reception to his successor in Office,
Governor Atkinson, tomorrow night. and
il is conjectured that another slight"
will then be put upon Chris. Payne.
The trouble in Massachusetts is that
the Hon. Isaac T. Allen wishes to ac-
company the Governor and staff and
councillors to Nashville during the Ten
nessee Exposition. Very naturally, his
company is not desired. The way It is
proposed to get rid Of him is that the
Legislature shall make provision only for
the expenses of four members Of the
council. to be selected by the Governor;
and 1t seems quite certain that Allen
will not be one of these four. But AL
len claims the right to go. He claims 1t,
of course. because he Is a negro. If he
were a white man he could not claim
The right.
Allen is very loud-mouthed in the as
sertion of his so-oalled rights" and is
he is allowed to go where he is not
wanted as a social ornament, and where
no official duties call him.
We do not know what will be the re-
suit of the squabble. Nor do we know
whether the Nashville hotel. at which
the Governors party propose to stop.
would entertain Allen. We suppose not
certainly not unless the proprietors are
willing to entertain negroes regularly
thereafter.
It has never occurred TO Payne. In
West Virginia, nor to Allen. in NASSAU
chusetts that they are seeking to enter
into social realms where they are not
wanted. Delicacy of feeling is unknown
to them, and thus, instead Of doing their
race good by their silly assertiveness,
they are doing it harm.
Neither at the North nor at the South
is the negro welcome in the society of
white people. And this he ought to
know. Whenever an attempt is made by
him to take advantage of an official po-
sition TO thrust himself where his in
dvidual standing would not entitle him
TO 60 he does himself and his race harm.
We always regret to see these exhibit
lions Of ignorance, and want Of self-re-
spect The prominence that such men
as Allen and Payne give themselves can
not but distress thoughtful and respect
able colored people.
The opponents of negro education could
not possibly have furnished ready to
hand so effective weapon as comes to
them in the conduct of the Aliens and
Paynes 1t is, therefore, TO the interest
Of the mass of colored people TO frown
down upon and utterly disown ali SYM
pathy with those members of their race
who will insist upon thrusting them
selves into company where they are not
wanted