Richmond planet., 1898-12-10

The followingi letter from the pen of
Hon. Judson u lyons, Register of the
United States treasury appeared in
tie New York Herald of Sunday, Dec.
4th. 1t is the most able defense Of the
Republican Party IN the State of North
Carolina in general And the citizens of
color in particular that we have as yet
read. 1t Will richly repay q careful
perusal.
However widespread, ingenious, and
complete a scheme may be devised to
perpetuate wrong, violate law, take
life, and then excuse the crimes by
raising the hue and cry that the pres
ervation of liberty demands and the
canse of civilization iustiiies them, yet
the truth will out. 1t cannot long be
suppressed it will not always be
crushed it will be eventually heard
and sustained.
PRRJUDTCED WITNESSES.
And, notwithstanding the alleged
high standing of some OF the great
number of witnesses who nave volun-
tarily come forward in defense OF those
in the Carolinas who recently not only
defied the laws of the country, but of
tended God in the slaughter OF unof-
Tending citizens, the affair ought TO be
viewed in no other light than as crime
against civilization itself.
1t should, and believe it does. shock
the sensibiIities Of the nation. 1t puts
to shame the laws of the land, and is a
severe test of our Christian clviliza-
tion: and unless / miscalculate the
power of the sour ces from which notes
of warning protest are emaDating, we
look hopefully for q correct inter 2reta-
tion on the part of the best Judgment
OF the country of the motives OF those
who commit as we'll as Of those who
defend or excuse system OF murder
Gus violence.
THE FACTS BEING GATHERED.
At the rate at which few patriotic
newspapers and magazines publics-
tions that are still dedicated to the
cause of justice and right--are gather
ing the facts and laying them before
the world ,untrammelieA by race preju-
dices and unfrighte ned by those who
disregard human life, the representa-
tives Of the lawless mob will be obliged
to change their line OF defense, or else
emboldened by many successor, defy
the public by saying III eject: BegoHe.
We care naught for your good opinions.
THOSE BLACK LEoIoEs.
A few days ago, while the nation, joy
Gus over the magnificent achievement
OF the American arms. both by land
and sea proud of the fact that those
who had most heroically and fearlessly
performed duty on the shot-swept hills
around Santiago were its black legions,
representatives OF that race that has
been SO jealous of the fiaglin all the his
tory OF the past and yet so foulIy per-
secuted by an unreasoning prejudice,
and while every patriotic heart throb-
bed with pride as the increasing and
accumulatinginews hourly flashed over
the wires told the story that those who
had fought triumphantlY and those
who had so ably and wisely directed
their efforts had been given q vote OF
thanks and of confidence by the Amer
ican people at the ballot box and in
| the very midswinR of the administra-
tion. harsh aud discordant sound was
heard from the Carolinas.
I NO EXCUSE AT WILMINGTON.
In Wilmington, N. c., albeit the Ey
ecutive, as leader Of his party there
had backed down and surrendered ev-
erything as q peace Offering, aud De.
mocracy. if that is what they call them
telvess had carried the day, still the
main thoroughfares Of the city Wert
choked with armed men.
They destroyed personal property
they burned houses, they WAntonly