Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-05-28
LAWYER GRAY's POSITION.
The Negro Loyal, Brave and True.

MINNEAPOLIS. Mimi, May %, '9S-
Editor Richmond PLANET,
Dear Sir:-Please allow me to con-
Qratulate you upon your reply TO the
Times in last weeks issue OF your pa
per relative 60 the status OF the col
ored man in the present war with
Spain The editorial was the best OF
its nature that has been published By
a colored editor since the beginning OF
hostilities. Yet, as an asDirant in the
field of journalism, l wish to make a
few friendly observations in reply 10
Your very able publication.
KxRoUTE TO AFRICA.
AS editor and publisher OF the Min
neaposis World, / have given this
question much anxious study, and
while lam on my way TO Liberia to as
sist i'm the grand work OF advancing
the educational. moral and religious
progress in that coming republic Of
black Minnesota; yet / feel deep in
terest in ali that pertains TO the Negro
in whatever cline he is found.
NOT BEING RECOGNIZED
lam able to CLEAN two important
questions from your reply to the Times
First, that the Negroes are not being
recognized st the hands OF the Federal
government. in the bestOwment of Off
ces. Secondly, that the Negro should
not fight for his country except he can
fight his own way
Before reply to the two questions
please allow me TO say that am a Fed.
eralist, quite as pronounced as the
celebrated Hamilton was. To quote
one OF your own replies, "A country
that will not accord TO a citizen his
rights and make good Co him this guar
antee, releases him from any obiiga-
tion to comply with his part OF tht
contract; this is equity and it is law
TO my mind fits the present case in ev-
cry respect, and ] have always con
tended that the Federal government
must either be- able TO enforce Il
promises or rather its guarantees Z
protect its citizens in ali of the severe
states regardless of race or color; o
the government is failure in that par
ticuiar.
THE OTHER POINT.
(2) And as to whether he shoul
fight unless he be allowed TO tight
his own way, l must question at one
as very bed advice, for really we mus
mot look for any present good TO on
generation that should induce us I
take part in this war, but for the benz
fit of coming generations. When hl'
tory is being read in the public schoo
and colleges of our country by OF
youth so that they may read where
1898. when war was declared betwee
the United States of America and Il
Kingd I'M of Spain, the Negroes
America, along with his white bro'he
responded to the call to defend the n
TONS flag and its honor, that they Il
may feel inspired to follow US as 10y
and brave citizens OF America.
WILL DO MUCH GOOD.
To myI mind, this will have more
do in convincing the skepticai viii
man. that his cOlored brother is
political and natural equal than an
thing else that could be recorded
history. Yes, let the Negro 60 for
and fight for the flag. It is his futu
hope in this country. / do contel
though. and that without any compI
mise, "That the eolored troops shot
have colored officers where it IS pos
BILE.
/ too. with Editor Mitchell fl
forced to shed tears when / read
record of SIXTY thousand colored IN
who are dead, and whose blSOd y
shed by white ku- klOX Mans, Wn
caps and lynchers. I too. believe II
our patriotism is unquestioned, 9
our bravery unsurpassed ;" but as t.
loyal men, leaders of the rising gene
ton of young men who by and by m
take our places, we must stand by
red, white and blue OF America, as
ing recognized by christendom as
most advanced symbol of liberty
civilization. In short, we must m
our own future, even If we are for
to hew it out with our swords, "
our blood and bones fertilze the fi'
of our birth place.
1t is not to repudiate kdltor Nit
ell's able reply to the Times, tn
make these remarks, but simp
keep this one idea before our peool
this very important crisis, when fu1
history is being made that we n
take a stand at this time, for our
tion's flag, that win stand the fire
the historical critics in years to &C
Present loss will be future gain. -.
" around the flag"
Though the danger to ship II
has forced me back on two occas
lust as was ready to sail for Ell &
on my way to Liberia, owing to
war, yet l propose to sail again or
in August. r u Uhl