Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1885 — VIRGINIA COLORED MEN. [ARTICLE]

VIRGINIA COLORED MEN.

They Withdraw from the G. O. P. f and Praise the New Administration. The following address was adopted at the recent State convention of the colored men of Virginia, held at Lynchburg: Whereas, We, the colored people of Virginia, believing as we do, the time has come for us to call a halt in the unqualified support we have given the Republican party, do here in convention assembled solemnly declare ourselves politically independent in all matters which pertain to ub as citizens and voters of this commonwealth. We have for twenty-five years adhered to our former political associates with unparalleled fidelity, because in those dark days of reconstruction the Republican party proved that it was the only party to which the colored man of the South could consistently ally himself. To that end colored voters nobly responded, and raised to place and power men who grew wealthy while administering the laws of the United States Government in the Southern States. We feel ever grateful for what' has been done, but now the time has come for us to think, act, vote, and speak for ourselves, and especially so since the Republicans have practically abandoned us in former campaigns, and in all matters where the negro ought to have had recognition in proportion to voting strength and intelligence. We know, too, that many of our race have been murdered in the Southern States, but the causes which led to these sad occurrences which have spilled our blood and created the bitter race antagonism which now retards our progress and makes it difficult for us to live in the land of our birth are largely traceable to mismanagement by Federal office-holders in our section. These foregoing reasons lead us to adopt such methods and so conduct ourselves as to make friends of those whose interests are identical in every way with our own. We, therefore, appeal to the colored people of our native State to look well to the altered conditions of affairs, and in the future make such political alliances as will advance our interests educationally, financially and politically, We feel sure that there is throughout the broad limits of the commonwealth a general disposition on the part of the white people to accord us all our rights before the law, and to meet us heartily in every advance we make for the upholding of our people. It behooves us then to so use our ballots that we may draw out all discordant elements in Virginia, whether they be headed by natives or aliens of the State. We also condemn the raising of the race issue by any class of men who essay to 'lead the masses, because it ean do nothing bnt prove detrimental to our cause and our interests. We, therefore, ask the hearty co-operation of our people in Virginia to the success of our movement. We have cause to be thankful for the liberality of the present national administration to our people in the South. We also believe our relations to the State debt are such as to justify us in hoping that Virginia will be relieved from financial embarrassment by aid from the Federal Government, which will enable her to provide for all the material interests of her citizens, and bring about that universal good feeling which ought to exist between the two races.