Richmond planet., 1894-04-14
wHATHAs THE NEGRO DONE.

We read in the word divine, message |
strange but true,
That from one common hearthstone, |
this world of people grew.
In His wise plan, He deemed it best,
variety should be,
That human senses be not bored with
horrid monotony.
Thus, what with pleasure we behold
as beauty in vegetation.
Is but the pleasing effect produced by
color in variation.
In materials, vegetation, animals low,
this design we do adore.
But, when in human beings tbs seen
it's presence we abhor.
With only one, mankind began this
planet to possess,
But naughty man in his vain pride;
has deemed it best to class
By shape of skull, color of skin, and
texture of the hair;
And claimed as marks of superiority,
possession Of complexion fair.
Woe to the race, whose color of skin
draws nearest the shades of night
Whose skull deviates from perpendicu-
lar and hair to scalp curls tight:
For these are the marks of inferiority,
all Others count for naught.
These the signs of the Negro, the chill
dren of to-day are taught.
Negro and inferiority tits said form a
union and inseparable one,
To be thus branded OF all the races,
What has the Negro dOne?'
Against his will. and by deception, he
to these shores were brought,
Sold into abject slavery, more than
200 years he wrought
From the mountains of New England
to the bayous of the Sonth.
To others land by Drawn and blood
gave he its value, gave he iti
worth.
In spite of all its labor what credit
has he won?
None none whatever-"Pray wha
has the Negro done?"
Pray,why is he thus made the obejct O
contempt and scorn,
Was it not he in the late unpleasant
ness tended the cotton and tn
corn?
While Master on the battle field Tough
with might and main,
That round his limbs the shackles {
slavery should remain;
Who protected the loved ones left b
Master far away at home?
Did be prove false y this dear trust
e the Negro done?
Why a. irsD treated thus {
those, VINO these dear firesid,
protected,
Who, while Master on the battle fiel
his large plantations directed.
To these black aunties and uncles,
debt OF gratitude is due
For that patient forgiving spirit, an
the trials they went through.
Many of these old dear ones to heavt
thank God are gonel
Then show your gratitude to their cl
dren 4or what the Negro h
done.
There is one way this dear old Sout
land shows she feels her Oblie
ton,
By taxing to it's uttermost her weak
ed resources, to give an educ
ton.
Such sacrifice as she has made we
most heartily appreciate;
But there is one aching of our hear
which to her we do not relate.
After twenty years she will not see
change which has begun;
But with closed ears and blinded ey
shout, What have you Negr
done?"
All that we ask of those who rule
this, this dear old land,
Is give us d show in the race of life
show that is due man.
And if we do not hold our own, t
crowd US to the wall,
For in this onward rush of progr
the weakest are sure to fall.
Open to our sons your shops wi
they may become skilled 9
sans,
And If they DO not prove themsel
then ask, What has the Ne
done?"
The education which you have g
has opened wide our eyes,
We see our needs to be. a people wi
craving desire to rise.
But what are we to do with
which you've so kindly given
II on every side the doors are close
use it for a living.
1t is a sad state for US all each anC
erv one: