Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1890-10-18
ADVERTISING RATES.
MIR. MONreOMERY's SPEECH.


MONTGOMERY, the only ColOred
delegate in the Mississippi Consti-
tutional Convention as recently de
livered by him has caused a wide
spread sensation.
AS literary gem it fully covers
the requirements. AS an oratori-
cal production it ranks among the |
finest, but as an effort, expressive
OF the sentiment of the majority of |
the Colored people it is q failure,
and has served to an extent at |
least to place them in a false light |
before the people OF this country.
In the outset Mr.. MONTGOM-
Ely confessed that his efforts as
well as those Of the Convention
were failure. He says:
Il had fondly hoped that the achieve
ment OF this purpose would leave the
convention free 10 consider such al adj
iustment in political conditions as TO
prevent the recurrence of the present
problem at any future period Of our
history. In this 1 have been sadly and
bitterly disappointed"
Never have we seen more telling
evidence of the active twitOhings OF
conscience than the above words
would imply.
Not only does this black orator
of the Southland testify as to his
DISAPPOINTMENT, but he comedies
that not only has he made a griev-
GUS mistake in the expectation of
the solution of the problem that
eonfronts us, but claims that it has
tended to make even more mysti-
flying the condition which confronts
us. Here is the language:
.sMr. President, 1 regret TO say it,
and hope not 70 be considered agotis-
tical IN doing so, that the debate has
served to intensity race preiudices. and
thereby intensity the problem that
must ever confront our beloved state
and rhdely disturb her fancltd dream
of security--ever stalking before her as
q threatening phantom. Like Bsnquo'i
ghost it will not down. such IN the
color or race line to the people Of
Mississippi
All, there is no question about Il
when an AtIo-American steps fortl
to relegate to the rear blood of hi
blood and flesh of his flesh, i
causes him to show his disapprob'
ton and regret even though h
actions would indicate otherwise
He adds:
Sometimes, Mr.. President, as gar
over our broad acres. my heart woul
rejoice In the progress and glory {
Mississippi, bat feeling of sadness n
presses my exultation, rs the unanswe
able questions arise. How much {
life, how much of privation, sorrow
and toll has IL cost my people? Ps
chance every acre represents gray
and every furrow a tear. And VIII
have they by way of recompense9"
All, Mr.. MONTGOMERY, yo'
eloquent words, your appeal
sympathy, your portl ayal of I'll
sufferings of your down troddt
people should have caused "
to put the seal of your condemn
tinn upon any action that won
tend to cost them their fundament
rights for which they had toll
and labored in way as well e
pressed by you.
He expresses his intention in
uncertain language when he ga.
s.Mr. President, It is but justice
my race that should recall these at
ing memories upon the floor .tO-d
My mission here is to bridge cha
that has been widening and deepenl
for a generation-sdivert q NHlstr
that threatens destruction to you .
yours, while it promises no endur
prosperity TO me and mine."
That Is well expressed, but
MONTGOMERY in the outset
nounces that while his intentit
were otherwise instead of br
ing Z the chasm or diverting
Maelstrom, he has. widened the
and FASTENED the other, for s.
he the debate has served to
tensify the problem.
He announces that it is i'm
sible to settle the problem with
the restoration of confidence
asserts:
without It's solution the wor
this convention will prove but ten
rary expedient, unworthy Of the di
fed principles that called itinto bell
That is as true as Holy "
Does the raids of midnight rid
the deeds Of midnight assass
the grasping tendency of the 70