davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-24
TIMES READERS DISCUSS
SUBJECTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST
Thew Give Their Views on Limitation Of Suffrage,
State Sovereignty, the War and
Other Matters.
LIVE LETTERS ON LIVE TOPICS.

pgnished for the wrong doinGs Of others
of their race? And what of the vicious
and ignorant wflte-if any there be-who
has had centuries in which to grow, and
who has fallen below even his own faith
position. Is he more capable Of self
government because of the color Of his
skin; or is he less capable of injuring his
country than is an equally vicious black
man? Surely a law that should dlsfran-
chse all men who are vicious and igno-
rant regardless Of color or station, could
work no hardship on the white race And
surely a law that should guarantee to
every patriotic, progressive man the boon
of self-government could bring no menace
to the great white race that IS et..v-
where and always the leader, the supel -ol,
the ruleri
ANY discrimination or favoTitism, then,
is as unnecessary as it is unjust. Given an
equal chance the white man Will always
rise above the black and rule him in all
essential things. He needs 20 law in his
favor. He needs but a fair field. Why,
then be unjust to the black man in order
to give the white an opportunity which
he does not need? Why groom the ante
lope and hobbIc the tortoise? VIII not
the fleet animal win the race unassisted?
In certain States the attempt has been
boldly made to disfranchise even the BET
ter negro and to continue the right to the
lowest whites Virginia may be forced
by timid or thoughtless men to do the
same If so, great wrong will be done TO
white and black alike. and sooner or
later the convention Will be condemned.
Expediency and prejudice succeed but
for a time. Only right and justice are
enduring THOS. c. D1GGS.
Richmond, Va, March 20. 1901
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-24
COUSINS MEET
FOR FIRST TINE
Mr.. VIM. S. Woodson Pleased With
aVisit From His California Cousin,
Whom He Had Never Seen.

Mr. William S. Woodson. deputy clerk
of the Chancery Court. was surprised and
pleased last Tuesday when a. handsome
Young man entered his office. who turned
out to be cousin from far-away Caii-
fornia, whom no had never seem
The gentleman was Mr.. w n Wood
son. of Corning California, of the firm
OF Foster & Woodson. large land agents
Flo came to Richmond that day in search
OF relatives, whom he thought must be
here, for his grandfather away back ~
the carly part of the century went To
the far West from this city. lie put UP
AT me Jefferson Hotel and then picked up
the directory and turned to the Wood
sons. He found a number of them, and
decided TO call upon Deputy Clerk w ooo-
SON first
The two gentlemen talked over family
matters for a long time. and traced their
relationship away back. bringing IN ths
Isha.ns. and the Ftandoiphs. and others.
and then Mr.. VIM. S. Woodson took nus
new-found cousin to see his aunt, MIS-.
Jane Ralston. who told them both nlany
things that neither or them kie"' dtu -
was a happy little party.
Mr. Woodson. from the West Is mos.
prosperous gentleman. His arm mas 4.u's
acres of land In control in California. fis
left for New York on WEDNESDAY. ana
said before going that he would CONT
back to Richmond in a few weeks tor !
long stay ..Gl2A
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-24
Wants Twins and Triplets.

Editor of The Times:
Sir,-There is no plant as pretty as COT
ton. growing from two to. six feet hlsh.
The leaves, forms. boles and blossoms are
ALL pretty and attractive. The bloom is
large and as white as snow, purple at
noon. and as red as {. rose before the sun
goes down I am satisfied that wherever
an apple will grow cotton will, at least
to reach forms, boles and blossoms, ana
/ believe some of it will mature and open.
I have friends in Maryland and ONO 10
whom I sent seed last year. and some OF
it matured and opened. am now re-
ceivins hundreds Of orders from there.
One lock and one small bole, killed by
frost, will plant about twenty hills. six
in each HILL one and one-half inches deep.
two feet apart, in checks. to make it
pretty Put two or three quarts of stable
manure to the hill AS soon as the plants
get six leaves thin all out but one. All l
charge is, if you know any one, young or
old, that are twins or triplets. try and
get them to send me, their photograph
have twin boys. five years old, named
Taylor and Dayvault, and I am getting
up picture gallery for them. I already
have about five hundred twin pictures and
five triplets and a great many single ones.
I want you boys and girls to decorate
yourselves with cotton blossoms next
summer, have your pictures taken and
send me one. Thanks for any picture,
double thanks for twins or tHplets.
2. j. RUCKER,
Columbia, S. c.. March s. 1901.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-24
ReDlv TO Mr.. parham.
y of The Times:

Editor of The Times:
Sir,-Under the caption or oerllloii oti
a Sermon" l have carefully read "i'al
r. M. Parham says, in your sunday
March 10Th, edition, on the Temptation
Of Jesus" as copied by you from blsllop
Phillips Brooks, in your paper Oh the oI'ii-
day previous; and, while l am not o4ie
OF the .learncd clcrcs' he desired ~
hear from on the subject, yet, pei'lS III
humble servant of the Lord, ana HAVING
an earnest desire to know inc tro.h'
and to help, as We'll as to be helpeu'
,noaost,v venture this communication on
the subject in reply to Mr.. Parhanl' ear
ucstly praying that the Divine Light may
guide and enliShten me ana nun dllu 10
al INTO ..all truth 1t is true that
fools do often venture where anSels Lear
to tread" but, for one, L 90 not pelie.e
that the learned and wise Oh thls Moilo
are the only guides to 1.-The things OF the
Spirit.'' because it is written that not
MANY mighty, not many wise, OF TINS
world hath God called, but Coo halh
called the poor of this world rlch IN
faith" and the weak things Of the Woriu
to confound the mighty, ana o1tehtllheo
we can learn moro of the deep sPlrlludi
thinss of God from tho men that are
taught of Cod than from the self-lcarn-
ed in the regular courses OF theology.
7 trust, however, that this introduction
10 the subject will not be construed by
any as conveying the idea that the nun
BILE writer is opposed to theological
research, or in anywise claims that the
mantle of infallible inspiration has fallen
on his shoulders. Now to the sueJece
and exchange of views:
THE TEMPTATION or JESUS
J. If Jesus was only tested, tired.
"proven" in the temptation OF the oe'l
in the wilderness, and at all other tunes
during His incarnation, how could 1t nave
Ia
tempted in all points (thinss) like as we
are, but yet without sim; by the prophet,
Himself took our infirmities and pore
our sicknesses''; He was made sin Tor
us who knew no sim; 1T behooEed him
in all things to be made like unto Els
brethren. that He might be talth1ui
High Priest? Read Hebrews ". rs, and
Hebrews H. 16, II. is, and many other
Scriptures giving the same thought
Again. if Jesus was not tempted like
as we are, what example would lie pc 70
us? If He could not have failed "a cues
ton perhaps, we had better leave to the
intinite), where was His victory? Ara
what stimulus would His conflict ana MS
triumph have been to us? TO be prlel'
it appears to my humble faith that lne
explanation is found in the fact that TO
be tempted is not to sin. Temptation
is not Sin, but yielding to temptation
makes the sin. Adam and Eve were maze
perfect and pure, as Jesus was born OF
the Virgin. God cannot make an lmper-
feet thing, and He pronounced them
good" as He did the earth, also Sin
and the curse resulted from yielding to
the temptation of the Devil-from trans
erosion OF Gods law. Eating "brcad BY
the sweat Of the brow was a part only
OF the curse. and it is a part still. Per-
feet conditions admit OF no WEAKNESS
or sweat. nor do they imply laztness or
nom employment-the great blessing was
to Adam. and will be to the redeemed
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-24
THE SITUATION IN GOOCHLAND
Chairman Leake Fully Explains the County
Committees Course.

Editor Of The Times:
Sir,-A statement appeared IN Friday
mornings papers concerning the political
situation in Goochland county which mis-
represents the facts in the matter and
does the Democratic Committee of Gooch-
land an injustice. The committee met
on Monday, the 18th inst, and decided
to have no nomination for a candidate
to the Constitutional Convention. I do
not know who is responsible for the
statement that this action was " an at
tempt to head off Colonel William 8.
Petit and thus arrogates to himself
the right to msjudge the motives Of the
committee. The fact is the action of the
committee was had neither in favor of
nor against the interest OF any candl-
date, but as a matter Of party policy
The district is doubtful and it is very
questionable whether q Democratic noH1-
nee, with radical views, could be elected
if nominated.
On the other hand, if party lines are
not sharply drawn, it is very probable
that conservative Democrat can be
elected For any one to claim that this
action of the committee 1eOpardlZes the
chances of his candidate is TO admit
that his candidate does not stand well be-
fore the people.
The action of the committee was sub
mitted to a mass-meetlng and was en-
dorsed by large majority. 1t was not
incumbent on the committee TO submit
their action to anybody. but they simply
submitted the matter before the Demo
Gratis present in order to ascertain their
wishes in the matter.
In so far as the article in question in
Inmates that this action of the commit
tee was in the interest of Judge a. X.
Leake. it is entirely misleading. The fact
is Judge I4eake has finally decided that
he will not consent to become candl-
date for the convention. His TRENDS
have been very urgent in the matter
but he has, at no time. consented TO
become a. candidate.
1 trust you will publish this in fair
ness to the committee, which has been
placed in false light through the col
umns OF your paper.
D. H. LEAkE.
Chairman Dem. Com. Goochland Co.
Goochland, Va. March %, 1901.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-24
500 Words.
so much The better.
Limitations OF Suffrage;

Editor Of The Times:
Sir,-Iour paper is doing a good service
in the thorough discussion OF the ne"
Constitution
Some Limitation of suffrage is greatly
needed a premium should be offered
TO intelligent integrity and thrift and
the better class Of our citizens should be
protected in their property and rights
from the ignorant and vicious A capita
lion tax, paid some time before elecuonS,
might answer; and would lose no vote
that is worth keeping
wish heartily to second suggestion
already maAle-tllaL any one convicted of
s,ribins or being bribel be deprived of
all right TO vote. bribery has become
a public scandal and is fast destroying
All respect for and confidence in our civil
institutions. Such provision would also
work to get rid Of undesirable voters. IL
might also be provided that any one
elected to Office who has used bribery,
directly or indirectly. should forfeit his
Office.
Rigid laws should be made to put q
stop 10 this crime.
Real Democracy" as advocated by two
recent writers in your paper, is i fine
Thing in theory but easily abused in prac-
1ice Too much liberty is as bad as too
little. 1T is impossible to secure the best
for the many without some restrictions
on al. This country owes much to
Christianity. and the great majority want
an undisturbed Christian Sabbath
Mould these writers advocate free
saloons? The sober people have rights
AS we'll as the drinkers. The State has
a right TO sober citizens. The wife and
children have a right to a sober husband
and father. il the drinker would shut
himself up or so off 10 himself While
drinking little could be said against it,
but he has no right 10 make himself d
nuisance or a menace TO others, and the
State should prevent it as far as posi-
bic. RUSTICUS-
n
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-24
influences from without or in

Was it influences from without or in
fluences from within which corrupted the
Integrity of the people OF Sparta and leo
to their subjugation by a more STURDY peo
pie? Let us learn by the striking exam
nles of history. No law should be MADE
or enforced which would abridSe my
right while charging the right OF my
neighbor. That such is the case at TINS
time-that Legislatures are manlpulateo
in the interest of a few and that the
great mass of the people feel only the
burdens placed upon them by their ser
wants, who are, more properly speaking,
become their masters, is admitted by all
candid men.
Therefore, that the people may more
clearly know their rights and how best
to preserve them and reap their fullest
benefits, they should be instructed in the
language which is the medium through
which to interpret their grand magma
charter. E. G. 3.
Richmond, March 20. 1901.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-24
voting in new Constitution remain as It
IS with this mndiflcatiOn-that caCn

voting in new Constitution remain as -
is, with this modifcation-that cach
clector shall have Cat required past
timc) paid a capitation tax OF - LOT
public schools and roads, and 81 state
tax on real, personal or mixed estate
with the proviso that from and after the
time Of adoption of new Constitution, the
name of no new voter be entered on
registration books who is educatlonally
unfit to prepare his ballot.
You say there is danger that such
law will be defeated when submitted.
Better a thousand times have good
Constitution defeated than bad one
nut, by our own hands, upon us. AS to
division of school fund on the color
basis, it is proposition too absurd 10
be thought of. The training Of the negro
ought to be principally Industrial IN lts
nature, and l think his own color as yet
incapable of the work.
Experience has demonstrated the 1act
that universal suffrage is fallacy ana
failure With all due Difference TO eN-
IRENE democracy, the 1ranchlse IS
privilege and not right. Like marrying
a drunkard to reform him, 1t IS d can
cerous thing to impose a political re-
sponsibility and then educate up to 1t.
I believe a constitution embodying such,
mr. similar clauses as above can be
framed and adopted. There is no neces-
sity for general ma ssacre OF ofhces. we
don't want our county court abolished.
We need sufficient number OF Well
paid, competent and worthy olncers. we
want to transmit to posterlty. not an
eynedieucy and fraud, but a good Con-
stitu1ion. which will be a blessing and
benediction and help to their ENJOY
ment Of life, liberty and the pursuit Oh
happiness.
] think the great work Of Constitution
making will not fail, or even suffer. OF
uegrophobia. The greatest danger that
threatens it is that it may come uhuer
the control Of the venal and corrupt
politician, whose contention Will be VITO
at the top that we can have the Offices.
patronage and spells. and you may theh
write what you please underneath ana
below
i have no fear that this class will pre-
ponderate in the makeup Of the con-
yention. But it is going to exercise a
mighty, subtle, malgn influence that Will
be hard to resist II we mistake not our
man, we are going to send from South
ampton a delegate who will fully meas
ure up to the duties and responsibilities
of the occa sion.
Tt was the wish of Burns that he
",nisht write a book for fair old Scot
land" I am sure it will be the equally
la,,dable ambition of Judge Prince. led
on bv '.the inspiration of q lofty faith,
10 help write a Constitution for dear old
r. A. BRISTOW,
Per1in Va. March 10, 1901.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-24
The Suffrage Question.

Editor OF The Times:
Sir-If our new Constitution be made
on sound Democratic principles 1t Will
diSfranchise no man because of color. Tor
those principles mean two things: First.
shat every man must be let alone except
as he imposes upon some other man; and,
second that no man must he given faEorS
over another man.
Some assert that this is 4 white man S
country and so excuse themselves Tor
excluding the black men from the bless
inCs Of democracy. But the assertion is
only partly true. for something like one
sixth of the country Is black. The negro
IS numerous. and he has been hero longer
.i,a,1 most of his white ncishbors. More
1han that. we cannot send him away IL
he wanted to go. and he cannot got If
We try 10 send him; he Will not go if We
wish TO get rid of him. and we will not
let him 80 if he tries. He is here for all
time. ana it is our duty-not to him. but
TO our own children-to insure him peace
and contentnent and opportunity for pro
gress.
No nation can long remain prosperous
if a considerable part of the people be de-
graded OF disseminated. And While we
now have the power to do injustice to the
negro. We do so at our own peril. he
breathes in the spirit of justice with the
mir of this free land. He has in his white
,,erhbors an object lesson of justice and
democracy, and though he may accept
patiently unw-ise discrimination. yet II we
impose upon him We inevitably bring upon
his children and upon ours centuries OF
,,ntold disaster and distress.
The Constitution should not mention
Tho hlacl man. either to favor or disia-
,or him. If it be just-and democratic
principles are eninentiy just-both races
.si,j be happy But il it be unjust both
vii, be unhappy. When will rulers learn
that unjust laws work evil TO those "hot,
-hey mean to faTor2 The injured enid
80 Tho petted one The aristocrat mas no
chance with the sturdy SeoEan VINO ASKS
no farors. but trusts 10 his own 'isht arm
aud keen brain. Nor will the white BOY
,,a made nob1er or more self-reliant LN
any ,aw that teaches him that n" ma'te'
nov vicious and ignorant he may become
,,a cannot fall below the best black VINO
1tpes Rather teach him that II ne lalis
10 make the most OF himself he Will nave
fewer privileges than progressive plach
man. and there will be double incentiFe
to Improve himself.
ANOTHER excuse for taking away the
RACK mans vote 80 the charge that ne
hsa proven himself unworthy OF the p11Ti-
s.~a After years Of trial vast numbers
are stepped IN Vice and ignorance. ana
n.nnek govern themselves. Yes. but many
o4her1 arc neither vicious nor ignorant
~ ahaII they be deprived Of s1ehe
vN3ch they can use 9nfe1dgenny. ana Do
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-24
The Negro Vote.
editor of The Times

Editor of The Times:
Sir.-The question uppcrmost through
out the State is the disfranchisemeht 0!
the negro and a division of the school
tax. Upon that subject | desire to say
a few words a matter is never settled
unless it is settled justly and impartlally.
There are men in our beloved State who
openlv avow that it is their intention TO
disfranchse all the 'niggers, but no
white man, however Impoverished, lite
rate and degraded Except conVlcts) VIII
be denied the right Of franchise. Ihcy
are all honorable men. yet these utter
ances. There are worthless negroes who
should be denied the right of suffrage,
and likewise white ones.
There is no need for this wholesale dis
franchisenlent of the negro, however He
has realized that there is nothing in poll
tics for him, and he does not give him
self much concern. This fact was verl-
fed in the last election PresidentlaD.
During the whole day there were never
more than a dozen negroes in line. The
city and State politics are safely Demo-
cratic, and it is best to let well enough
alone. This problem confronts US and we
must face it squarely and nanfully. The
negro is here and here to stay. While
some contend that he is immoral, thrift
less and improvident, there are visible
signs of improvement, and especially
dulOllS lue virginia negro lie is dInD-
tious to own his home, educate his chill
dren and make a respectable showing.
True it is that he does not pay much
tax as we do on his property (snce he
has none), but indirectly, in the shape of
rents, he aids the land-holder very mate
rally to pay his tax, for which he Cthe
5negro) gets no credit
The Scriptures tell US 1.-THE poor ye
have always with you and The strong
should bear the intirmities Of the weak
lie is the proper function Of government to
see to it that its citizens are properly
prepared to exercise wisely the liberties
placed in their keeping. Self-preseryation
would dictate as much. for if it be con-
sidered the better part of valor to dis
creetly build and maintain arsenals and
forts to bar out the invader, to prepare
against the assaults of the enemy from
without, how much more imperative is
1t to take timely precautions to counter
act the mischief OF insidious foes from
within? Are our liberties placed more In
jeopardy by the assaults Of an enemy
who plans our destruction three thousand
miles away than OF the enemy within
our very bosoms?S Was it the issuance Of
the barbarian arms or the corruption and
enervation Of the character OF her people
which worked tina downfall OF Rome?
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-24
hence no Federal ofIiceholder is eligible
A. L. THOMAS.
Lynchburg, Va, March IS.
A War Incident.

Editor of The Times:
Sir,-Having recently noticed in the pa
pers that Lee Camp was about to- untell
a picture Of General William y. Jones, 1t
caused me to recall an incident that oc-
Cured in his life that impressed me very
pleasantly at the time, and has always
been treasured in my memory as indiCat-
ing d modest gentleman and soldier II
occurred on the 9th Of June, 1863, near
Brandy station, during that memorable
fight, and which is remembered by all who
participated as the most memorable fight
in which the cavalry of the Army of
Northern Virginia was ever engaged
alone.
The incident occurred during a lull In
the fighting, and when my own regiment
(thc 9Th Virginia Cavalry was resting
standing by their horses bits on Miller
Hill-this writer was attracted to two
guns of Stewards Horse Artillery, which
we're posted some two hundred yards to
our right and were being fired quite
rapidly at a brigade of the enemy's cav
airy, which was moving to get in position
so as to charge the hill I rode over to
the guns, and after watching for some
moments, became dsguested with their
shooting. About the time that I reached
the position a Confederate officer rode up
and he, too watched the bad marksman-
ship, and being disguised as I was de-
manded in authcritive tones why they did
not cut the fuse and aim those guns prop
erly. The sergeant in charge at once
responded:
IF you can do it better, suppose you
try your hand. =
He at once said: "I will il some one
will hold my horse and as quickly as
this was done, he, going to one OF the
runs that had just been loaded. and after
sighting it, made some slight change III its
position. cut the fuse and ordered them to
ire. Away she went. putting a smell
light among the enemy. Load her quick,
he said. and it was done, and again ne
Nired, doing equally as WE'LL Now, he
said. 'shoot her like that" and he turned
and mounted his horse. BY this time our
curiosity was much excited to know who
the officer was. and the sergeant IN charge
of the gun ran up and asked him, and
promptly came back the response:
81 am General William Il. Jones, ana
away he galloped to another part OF the
field.
Dunnsville, Va, March il.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-24

Editor of The Times:
SHINY attention has just been cameo
to a special Dispatch to The Ilmes
from this city, under date of March 18TH,
which does not properly represent my
true position in the Gubernatorial contest:
am an avowed friend and supporter OF
70, p q Marshall, Of Portsmouth, Va
and. as such, it is my desire and lnten-
+ion to serve and assist him in his lauoa-
HE ambition with all honorable means ae
nv command so long as he may WISH.
The publication of article referred TO IS
in my opinion, misleading, III thar II al
ludes only to Attorney-General Molltas ue
and Congressman Swanson, ana makes no
mention whatever of the candidacy VI
Col Marshall, for whom, l believe, the
sentiment here is practically unanimous.
write you trusting that the publication
of The above will tend somewhat, 10 re-
leve the erroneous impression created oy
the publicity given the especial from
YOUR Norfolk correspondent
JAMES V. TREHY.
Norfolk, Va March q. 1901.