Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-04-23
THE KILLING OF THE OFFICERS.

The killing OF Police officer ROBERT
J. AUSTIN in this city by men alleged
to be Of African descent has caused the
EVENING LEADER in its issue of the
18th instant to comment on the atti-
tude of the colored people.
1t gives them advice in the premises
which is no doubt well meant, but is
entirely unnecessary. Our people are
solidly united against lawlessness in
all of its forms and abhor murder in all
of its manifold degrees.
But, we cannot understand why
these lectures should be directed to the
colored people of this community. The
youth who shot out the eye of the po-
lice-otficer in the First Police District
of this city was from Petersburg. Va,
and the two who, it is alleged killed
Police-O officer AUSTIN are thought to be
from North Carolina.
We do not agree that we should hold
meetings TO condemn the killing of
white men by colored ones any more
than we should hold meetings to con-
denim the killing OF colored men by
white ones. We should endeavor to
create amongst both races law-abid-
ing spirit and cultivate peace between
the races.
A white constable in Henrico Coun-
ty, Va shot an inoffenslve colored
youth in the neighborhood OF the Ex-
position Grounds. The boy is laying
out on the hillside, and Constable
GREEN is as yet carrying his pistol.
At the command OF Constable SAM
UELs, colored youth was shot by a
white man in the night time, his intes-
tines being torn out. He had not been
arrested. tried or convicted, but was
wanted upon q charge of misdemean-
or. He was to have been married in a
few weeks, at the time of his death.
The man who shot him was permit
ted to go without even form OF q
trial.
Two white men shot and killed ool-
ored man on the corner of 18th and
Franklin SITS. Although, they were
known. not as much IS ten dollars have
been spent to apprehend them.
Police officer ALvs OF Swansboro,
Va, shot and killed two colored men,
CHARLES and ANTHONY MURRAY. They
were charged with misdemeanor
and if convicted would not have been
fined over $25. To add insult to injury,
their mourning sister was carried to
the court and fined $500 by the Mayor
of Manchester and this too before the
earth had settled above her brothers
collins.
A conductor on the @. & D. r. r.
deliberately fired and killed colored
boy who was taking a few Jumps OF
coal from q coal-car, The value of the
coal taken would not have amounted
to five cents, and yet, form Of trial
was proceeded with, and he was &C
quilted.
All of these murders occurred within
radius of two miles of this city, and
within the space of eighteen months.
And yet you say:
"The man, be he white or black, who
is in the habit of carrying a pistol is a
menace to society and should be frown-
ed upon by every law-abiding citizen
The Negro, especially, should avoid this
practice because, as rule, he has less
discretion than the white man, and be-
ing impulsive is apt to use his pistol
when there is no sort Of necessity for
it,"
Now, admit that you have no proof
to back up your statement or give US
the facts to offset these which we have
cited. It is unfortunate indeed that
any race-question has been sprung in a
matter so serious.
The friends of the unfortunate officer
have the sympathy ofthe colored peo-
pie. Why is it that we do not hear
similar expressions from your friends
in sympathy with the friends and rela-
tives of the unfortunate colored men
who have gone on before?