Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-02-12
A DISTINCT RACE.

appreciative place In the social, edit ca
tionsl snd religious fabric of the ma
ton and land.
DISTINCT RACE.
We are a distinct race, however hard
some may labor TO forget the fact and
rs such. neither the white brothers.
Chris tianity. humane benevolence nor
his bold theological enunciation of the
Fatherhood of God and the brother
hood of man have ever iessened his
manifest determination in showing the
entire race TO itself in all matters reli-
gious, social and political. Being thus
isolated and Stunned, what is there
left the race 20 do, unless 10y inert neg
ligence they merit upon themselv6
final ex.irpation, nay worse, final ex-
termination, what, is the natural in
Quiry, is there for us 20 do but strike
out as a people possessing the sams
and identical elements that make 9TH
er races respected and admired in the
march of civilization As Rev. T. J.
Searcy of Memphis, Tennessee said at
the Boston Convention, if the Negro
stands beholding the beauty and splen-
dor OF the white mans hotel, weeping
because of the unwritten, but never
theless unalterable law of non-admit-
lance for Negroes, that Negro ought to
stop crying and set about building a
hotel OF his own.
So the projectors of the Negro Pub
fishing scheme feel that it is 1 nmanly
and ignoble TO fret and wor about
the determinations made al ain It US,
however disappointed we may leel al
such peculiar warpings of kindly agen-
cies processing to be opponents of the
religion of Christ and that we should
rise and build for ourselves.
NO srRIFE INTENDED.
This does not mean strife and war
fare, but 1t does mean the surest way
to sue for peace, quiet and respect
Our men and women lead and direct
the course of the race in pulpit and
Sunday Sch DOL as preachers and teach
ers. If they are deemed worthy to
preach and teach, shall the Christian
world be made to look upon as crimi-
nal ingrates for daring TO write and
publish the literature we teach If
we have succeeded fairly we'll in the
use of literature whose authors had in
mind only the white races while writ
ing, is it not reasonable to suppose yea
know, that we can do better with liter
ature prepared by those of our own
nationality By those who have kin
dred sympathies and similar views ?
THE RACE ON TRIAL.
Negro BaPtiets Ike all other men,
befs of the race have been made tt
feel that they are regarded by the 9th
er race as being on trial-in the scales
of public sentiment on the one hand
ana under the fire and lash of severest
caustic criticism on the other hand
from those whose prejudice, scared
ol.a callOusSd by long standing feeling
of caste, would forever down us to ths
level OF goods and chattel. We feel
that the atmosphere of Christian pride
and racial dignity impel others to Gov
ct the best gifts and leadership in the
religious guidance OF those under their
care; we feel that racial ties and kin.
dred interests in the natural order al
the fitness of things best fit them for
such esponsibilities.
DIVINITY APPOINTED DUTY.
Believing this to be true in under
taking TO conduct this Negro Baptist
Publishing House we feel that We are
but doing a divinely appointed duly
for which his tory and unborn genera
tions in the near and far Fl future will
hold US responsible. Yes, We are On
trial, not only by other races, but cur
own sons and daughters coming from
the schools look IN vain for acts and
deeds Of nobility, examples and under
takings, schemes and projects that are
for the betterment of the race. Since
some small beginnings are now making
away for future greater ones, is it not
just and right for such enterprises to
receive the plaudits and support OF the
race-and that OF the leaders Of the
race-rather than distinctions and bit
ter defamations?
THE BURNING QUESTION.
When will the Negro learn to en-
courage his own enterprises Until il
is done he will not be respected he
will not rise above the level of servile
dependency and political venality.
Let the N gro Baptists arise in the glo-
~ of their strength, support this great
undertaking, make II a complete sue
cess, spread its literature among the
O0,000 children in our Sunday Schools
and the nations of earth will call US
blessed and the God OF Israel will be
glorified.
Every race.-Christian race. has its
peculiar, distinct and definite mould of