Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-10
A CoIored Man on the Race Issue.

HOnins, Va, September 8, 1893.
Oh The Editor OF the Dispatch:
Fr the past twenty-five years ! have
Ircd among my people as ii teacher
o. The public schools Of this Common
wealth. The best years OF my life have
devoted TO their moral. religious,
OIL. Intellectual amelioration. YOI will,
therefore,. allow me space in your Nalua-
8 ul influential journal TO say a few
words upon the race question, which /
tc-rd. from a sociological standpoint, as
81 eravtst question that ever required
s..on by the people Of the South. For
reds of years the whites and blacks
l-ra lived together in the South il peace
t- harmony. AS master and slave, their
relations were Of the kindhest and most
friendly character The worlds history
cannot produce another recorded instance
o. 'le loyalty and devotion of any other
Ie under similar circumstances than
ta nesro displayed towards his master
iA tAe days 0t slavery.
li hose days there grew up a genuine
friendship between the races that in
many respects were beautiful and touch
iag The slack mamma" was loved by
DEP white son." and he boosted 'aaJ he
l-rsel at her breast. Such helpful re-
c.roo4l and kindly feeling existing be-
Tween t1e races could only result in
600. o. both races In 1851, V'len the
White men Of Virginia and heN sister
states were called upon 70 DO battle for
Nalt they conceived 20 be right their
Wives and children were left at home TO
me tender mercies OF the slave, and his
i1-l does not record a single instance
Who're the negro proved 10 be unfaithtll
u tle sacred trust committed TO his
teplg In those dark days the woman
loo- az the women OF the South were
-- outraged.
Contend that II the negro IS nothing
roIe than an incarnation of brutality
en- an that Is Gcndish and diabolical Gas
some would have US believe, the great
&C.. opportunity ever presented TO the
i-gro to prove that he was capable of
o.. highest type Of manhood was pre-
t1ied 20 him when his master was
t.e,sly charging the heights OF Gettys-
tfr The negro was as loyal TO his
,-n rs he was TO the stars and Bars.
O. .l The old-time gTayeyards of the old
Variation. and there you Will find mas
i-- aa- slave sleeping that sleep that
.as lJ Weakening" in the same grave
lso The dust OF IT'S sacred soil has
tr-a tered with tears from the eyes OF
lhs back slave for his white mistress
orc Ae white mistress for her black
'r Now IL the blacks and whites
-- live peaceably together in slavery
wy n9, ia freedom2
iad ln public print few days ago
ti-r from ex-senator NJ. g. Butler,
81 ''lth Carolina, IN which he said that
' negro must go. Emigration is OFFER
Dy MN as the only solution OF
.' problem. The negro must leave the
-.' lNe iand ot his birth; the graves
".' I.lhefs. and the home Of hts child
le', leave this bea ll.ful South
r..- lNe most lovely portion Of all Gods
'."'h, JUS, because there are a few
'A irresponsible. lawiess. misguided
.'f' Who violate the laws. Every in
ys,"l honest. law-abiding negro in
't'nia condemns the assailant of vo-
80 Iie is menace 70 virtue. good
'i Nnieht and the womsnhood OF the
-'". character. morality, education.
ny virtue is the only hope Of our people.
' man. De he white or black. who
d, outrage w0manh0od should receive
highest punishment known 10 the
~ should be speedy and certain.
nor uphold the law-breaker, but con-
'he mode OF punishment meted
~ To- him. The law presumes every
.Hlnai 10 be innocent TIL his guilt Is
lshcd-nOt By the lawiess. bowling
- Out by jury OF his peers This
n, "a" lhis b. right. and right Is God.
80 ne negro a fair and impartial trial
b. II he u proven guilty John Mitchell
pNaelt would be willing 20 tie the knot
=, DShis lynch law, but does not uphold
'1e' lie wants equal and exact justice