Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-06-04

bar one from military service rather
than capability that the rights guaran.
teed in the Constitution CT the United
States are abridged.
II no one cares three straws as to
whether we go into the army or stay
out OF {, we are prepared to consult our
own wishes, and stay out of it.
We were not called for during 1875
until the front part Of the United
States Army became "too hot for com
fort" and we expect that experiment
to be repeated in this war with Spain.
We presume that the PoaT's editor
was overburdened and anxious as to
the whereabouts of the Spanish Admi-
raj CERvERA, or was suffering from an
acute attack of dyspepsia.
Had he been better informed he
would have known that all that the
colored people hereabouts are demand
ing has been already granted by the
Democratic state officials and that it is
only to prevent their annihilation on
the part of the United States authori-
ties so far as their officers are concerned
that a protest is made.
Why, my dear sir, J. B. JOHNSON, col
ored, Afro-Americsn or Negro of this
city, as you like it please, is Major OF
the First Battalion, Virginia aVolun-
teers. Re is ranking major of the
state in point of service without re-
gard to race or color.
w. H. JOHNSON, colored, of Peters
burg, Va. is Major of the 2od Battalion
Virginia Volunteers.
By a system OF military jugglery it is
proposed to unsettle all Of this and TO
transfer these commands to white off,
GERS, so that others will reap the honor
and benefit of these capable officer
efforts.
These colored officers were honored
by Virginia's Democratic officials.
Richmond city has given the First
Battalion magnificent armory build
ing at the cost OF ten thousand dollars,
and it was done under resolution of
JOHN MITCHELL, JR., . Negro and Re-
publican, who was at that time mem
Der of the Board of Aldermen and not a
"would-be lf-appointed leader.
Now, il the matter is left to Govern
or 5. HOaE TYLER, there will be no
question as to the result. The colored
officers would be mustered in with
their commands in their entirety.
We venture too the assertion that if a
Negro regiment is formed in this state
Major J.. B. JOHNSON will be given com
mand of it by the official referred to.
AS the Washington Posr seems to
think that they are not needed now
they are perfectly content to remain
at home with their families.
1t may be, sir that this will be sea-
fight, with only a handful" of troops
engaged, but conservative army off,
cials see ahead the need of just double
the number of troops as have been
mustered into the service.
We pause to remark that whether
we have war or peace, it Will take nu.
merous drafts for the mastering OIL
Ger to find his way into the private Of
fee of the editor of the Posi- in order
to serve notice upon him that he is
wanted at the front. The PosT con-
cludes:
what our colored friends need is 8
little common sense, with . dash oil
modesty to make it palatnble. We are
well enough disposed regarding them
but we are getting just a tritie tired Of
their Editors and spOkesmen with thei1
ridiculous bombast and their stupid
airs. They persistently claim that they
want to be respected. Why don'i
they do something to deserve respect?'
Yes, we thought you were tired, and
so is the government. What you need
is little more common sense and q
little less race prejudice.
We did not bring on this war, and
are content to watch the outcome OF
it.
Certain it is that we will for ence dc
something to deserve respect. We
will SIT on the limb Of the tree Of mac
ton, until you whip Spain or find out
that you are to be whipped by her.
Should the contest wax warm and
help badly needed, we will then be-
come the much wanted quantity, and