Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-06-18
THE TIMES FRIENDSHIP FOR Us

THE TIMES FRIENDSHIP FOR Us
The Richmond, Va. TIMES. in its is
sue of June IL, 1898, seems to have
had an "atoning SPELL" so FAR as it's
unkind utteranees, relative to the Ne
gro are concerned.
1t did not last however, long enough
for it TO complete it's article. The las-
ter part OF it contains a reiteration OF
some of the very doctrine, to which we
took exception.
Under the caption of THE Negroes
Real Friend" the TINES says:
eff we know our own heart there is
no spark in it of hatred for the black
man. No Southern man who was
brought up by black nanny and in
friendship with her people can help
feeling most kindly interest in the
Negro race"
There is no question about that, sir
and it is to this element OF Southern
men, to whom we address our appeals.
No cry OF distress goes to them un-
answeredSand many of them have ex-
tended favors to our people behind
the door," while their Negro hat
ing associates vera Ahnsing us in the
other end of their apartments. The
TIMES says:
"In discussing the Negro question,
therefore, we would not be understood
to speak in any feeling of i'll will or an
kindness to the Negro race"
And yet you tell US we do not belong
here. that this is a white mans
country that every nation Of people
can find here an asylum aud q home,
even when they have never before
trod foot of the soil of this country OF
added to its material wealth as we
have done.
The profits of two hundred and fifty
years of the unrequited toll of our peo-
pie are anchored" in this country in
general and in the South in particular
The blood of tens of thousands OF
our people has been shed in the defense
of the flag, around which now the
North and South are rallying.
And yet you coolly propose to recog
nize people, who never did anything
for the country or it's flag, and would
make all welcome to the benefits in
this great land of ours who have q
white skin or swho can prove that they
should have il.
LIS this just to the offspring of that
black nanny. about whom you pirate
so much
Is not this an act of unkindness to
the Negro race The TIMES says:
But in dealing with this question
IS with all questions The Times tries
to be entirely frank, and it often hap
pens that the plain truth sounds harsh
and unkind."
And again:
"We would not knowingly do the
Negro an injustice. We would not
take from him capriciously or mali
ciously any right or privilege that ne
enjoys under the constitution OF the
United States any sooner than we
would for the same motive rob a white
man."
Is this the truth If it is the truth
why do you ignore the plain provisions
of the Constitution of the United
States and condemn the conscientious
Governor of the State for doing the
very thing that you said you would dol
The Constitution of the United
States gives Us the right to hold office.
You take issue with it and argue that
it is inexpedient for us to have that
privilege
The Constitution of the United
States gives US the right to be lieu
tenants, captains, majors, colODels,
etc., in the.volunteer army service.
You argue against our being permit
ted to have that right.
The Constitution of the United
States specifies that this is not gov
eminent Of the white or black, the rich
or poor, the Protestant or the Roman
Catholic, but one of the people.
In order to work as injury. you bold
ly declare that it is government of a
class,-a government Of the white peo-
PACg Ah0 yCe Will uRAAAtcUs anu
eyes raised heavenward you declare
that you would not knowingly do the
Negro an injustice.
II this be fact, we would presume
that when you write these articles
against us, you do it unknowingly,
you are either very much in the
spirit" or are under the hypnotizing
influences Of the prejudiced elements,
which surround you.
The TINES says:
"But in discussing this question one
must always look further than the Ne
gro and his interest"
OF course he should, but not further
than the Constitution OF the United
States.
To q loyal, patriotic citizen, his
looking stops there. The TINES says:
1T is the function Of newspaper