Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-02-22
GOVERNOR SWANSON OPPOSES
COME nIsNCE. o..

IL "a ictttI WDtteI Ncuucouof HANca
noon TO Rev. DR., John +. White, OF
Atlantis, protector of the negro confer
ence commission, Gov. Swanson not only
expressed himself as opposed TO the Puf'
pose Of the conference, bat, as stated yes
terdsy, refused to appoint delegates from
this SAFE to attend the meeting.
For some time DIR. White has been
agilaling this question in the several
southern STATES. IL has been his pur'
pose to hold a conference for the discus-
sion Of the negro question, which he
claims could, in all probability, be sat
isfsctorily settled.
The gist Of the governors reply il
embodied in three principles-6rst the
appointment Of the delegates would be
an admission Of unsatisfactory condi'
tioDs; second no body of men, however
selected, could settle q question Of which
he local conditions are 50 varied, and
third, that it has been shown that those
confessipg great interest in the matter
are moro troubled with the ''question"
than the southern people are With the
negro.
"All intermarriages between the two
races are prohibited aud severely pun
ished by law. With firmness and fair
ness Virginia has for the present settled
the matter of the negro question affect
ing this State and is nos in an era OF
I'M xampled prosperity and progress.
=" = i The very creation Of this
commission would precipitate at once,
throughout this nation, a discussion OF
the question 10 papers, in pulpits and in
politics; and when this would end, and
what the result would be, no person Is
wise enough to forecast.
"Your suggestion, tina; unless the
South creates this commission, Congress
will do so, has no weight.
1.-THE State of Virginia has dealt and
continues 10 deal generously, fairly and
Justly with the negro. f has been estl-
mated that since the civil war Virginia
his expended nearly $l7. 600. 900 for the
education OF negroes. With unsurpassed
self.denisl, tho white people of Virgins,
out OF their own poverty, have endeayor-
ed TO educate two races.
| believe the South has
already been seriously injured by too
much discussion and agitation Of the
negro question. The conditions in the
va 'ious southern States are so diverse
hat they must be handled separa ely,
according to the wisdom Of each State
we have uniformly insisted that this
was a domestic question, affecting the
prosperity and civilization OF local COM
munities, and should be handled as
such. am unwilling, even indirectly,
to recede from this position, which l
conceive to be founded IN Justice, in wis
dom and in our constitutional right
"5lnce the receipt Of your letter and
your recent conversation with me, 10
which you fully discuss the proposition, T"
SAYS the governors reply, II have given
the matter very thoughtful consideration.
and have reached tie conclusion that no
good would accrue from the creation or
work of such o commission. | can GER
tainly see in Virginia no occasion for
such a commission. Tho relations BE-
tween the two races in this State are
peaceful and friendly. No trouble ex
lsts that am aware Of No negro who
is industrious, law abiding and con-
tributes to the welfare of his community
can make complaint OF either the laws or
the sentiments of the Virginia people.
We have had no race troubles or riots.
all of tho proposed problems for dis
cussion and solution by the commission
have already been determined by the
general assemblies OF this State. There
has been a complete separation of the
two races in -cnools, public places, street
aud rail way cars, and other public con-
veyances. The suffrage question has
been determined with justice aud fair
ness, and has ceased to be q subject OF
discussion or agitation.
at seems TO nae that the best course
for the South 10 pursue Is Tor the loeA
authorities in each State to meet this
problem with justice, fairness and firm
ness, and settle 1t in a way that tends
to the progress and prosperity of its best
civilization.
GAS there is no necessity for such
commission In Virginia, l cannot take
action in the matter until have re-
ceived request from the authorities nj
the other States to do 20, and, II such II
request ia presented by the other south
ern States, it shall be givon full and fair
consideration, and you may rest assured
that 10 The future. as In the past, Viz
ginla will be found glady and harmon
lOusly operating With her sister south
ern States"