10 JULY 1869, Page 3

The Negroes for the first time have allied themselves with

the Democrat party, and have given their candidate for the Governor- ship of Virginia a heavy majority. The Democrats were obliged, ihowever, to give a public and " sacred " promise not to disturb the Emancipation laws, and, as we read the story, a private pro- mise that if the negroes supported them the armed bands which threaten them should desist. The vote, in fact, is so sought by both parties that the negroes are urged to be ordinary citizens. They are not, it must be remembered, a majority in Virginia.