Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-04-24


known to Bundy, but he persists in his
purpose. It seems impossible for him
to understand the man who is WILLING
to submit to the ostracism that he
must submit to is not At to be an Of
ficer; not fit to command men.
The last conclusion IL unquestiona-
bly, the correct one, and the question
arises as to whether or not Mr. BUNDY
will submit.
But his declination to be treated in
this manner should not take the form
Of Sinking, that would SAVIOR Of cow
ardice, and this would be highly re-
prehensible. yea. objectionable in
prospective officer Of the navy.
There 10 though. such thing as sub
hitting to the inevitable under pro-
test.
But the ostracism, to which the Dis
PATCH refers il that which carries with
it persecution, and this is the kind
which We believe Mr.. BUNDI should
resent.
Let him defend himself against all
corners. Let him stand always in an
attitude which will give his prejudiced
colleagues to understand that he will
stand up for his rights il need be, with
his life.
IL he 10 brave, courageous, manly,
he will leave the institution with the re-
spect of even those who were his Bit
terest enemies.
The DISPATCH speaks of the Sinking
OF ostracism as al evidence Of the pos
session OF manly qualities. 1t is just
to the reverse. The man who can
brave ostracism in order to uphold =
principle IL 1.-The bravest SPARTAN OF
them all"
But it says:
Congressman Shsttuc. instead Of be-
ing considered friend OF the Negro, is
os.ss,Ss ;lis ~s,z.aenemies- For the sake
OF the race he Affects TO serve he would
better not have appointed Bundy. Nor
are the circumstances of the case
materially altered because Bundy
stood first in the competitive examine
ton that Shattuc caused to be held !,
without any limit as to color or condi-
ton.
Was there ever more mischievous
illogical reasoning than the above? II
Mr.. BUEDY were inferior, why did he
outstrip his white competitors who
were his superioEsY Does It not show
that color forms no basis for the rating
OF mental ability? Will the DIsPAroH
continue to insist upon seeing the Ne
gr0 only through its green gogglesf"
a- do not ~a-ee with its conclusions
mat Congressman SasArruu Is ONO OF
the worst enemies of our race, or one
Of its best friends. He is a lover OF
f.ir-plAy and is determined to give the
citizens of color chance.
1t is impossible for the Negro to
force himself into the society OF re-
spectacle white people, no matter
whether he lie provided or not with a
commission from the United States
Government.
The Negro has no desire to force
himself into the society of respectable
white people, and the question at issue
involves no such Interpretation. He
insists upon his rights before the law
IS a man and citizen and he will 60
to any extent to secure them.
The fact thaS he will not down
will not yield to the prejudices OF tie
age, will not be content to be regarded
~ nonentity, but struggles constant
Iy onward and upward is proof positive
of the possession OF those qualities
which make . people great.
Moreover, it will be many genera
tions hence--if tbs time will ever
Icome-when the enlisted men OF the
navy will be willing TO be commanded
by q Negro Who can believe that the
enlisted men would be as tractable
and serviceable under black offioer AS
Eunder q white officer? .E4>
Willingness constitutes no part OF
the programme. 1t is question Of
duty. There are thousands of enlisted
men who, are unwilling to be COM
manded by white officers, and it is q
fact known of all men that white men
served under ANTONIO MAcEo. the col
ored Cuban General, and preferred II
to being under their white command
ing officers. Will the DIsPAr0H ex-
plain Why this WAS so7 1t is the abilf-
ty. Mr.. Editor, not the color. tho in
b. rent qualities, not thu race, that
men admire and yenerate.
~ - ~. e..Y..... - ....--.--.A-
| find Judgement alone in the breasts OF
| southerners. The cadets and the ofd-
GERS from the North are rs hostile &C
Bund yites as the men OF the South,
The feeling is of Natures ordering
and is to be found in the breasts Of al
our people.
What does the feeling Of superiori-
ty" have to do with it, As matter o.
fact, true merit Is not handmade Oh
companion OF that ''feeling of superb
GRITTY" The latter quality usually &C
companies the e-brained the drunk
ard the sap-headed fool. the pOmpoui
crank. and the inconsequentiAi dude.
They all consider their peculiaritiei
"of Nsture's ordering" 1t adds:
The whites who become instrument
al in such appointments as that o
Bundy's harm rather than benefit thu
black man.
The above 10 matter opinion, ant
very poor opinion at that.
It may be argued. however. that tn
. Bundy question is not social ques
ton, but one of equal rights" befor
the laws But that position is onl.
partly correct for it must be accepted
as . rule that no efffser can properi
serve his country either in the arm.
or IN the navy when he is separated
from his brother officers by q socis
, gulf. White men in all of the armie
and navies OF the world have foun'
I themselves in this position, and hav
H. - a.. -.