Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-12-01

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would model their conduct upon what |
this Negro commeods 20 them. eli APP
ps arsnce Of race antsgonism would
depart, and IL would be infinitely bet
ter for the Negroes"
or course, ~ the Negroes would only
ges back to the condition which sxist-
ed kefofe the war, yield up the right
OF franchise and be "pigger" in deed
and in truth everything would be love-
ly, IN I IL it wouldn's the TIMEs would
stand TO one side. raise it's cynical nose
in the air and exclsim. swell, I
thought it would" Il pstronizingly
say:
'Thi, Negro is perfectly right when
he tells his fellow Negroes that the
greatest blow the Negro ever received
was given him by Cor gressional enact
ment, the chief OF which, as he says,
ives the unconditional imposition of
he right Of franchise. He well adds
that no government has ever done n de-
fsnseless people greater Injured"
The English are rem Barking the same
thing With reference to the Beers.
Spain 10 saying the same thing with
reference to Cuba, and this country is
taking similar position concerning
the Philippines.
Great Britain entertained she same
opinion concerning the American COL
onies which framed . Declaration Of
Independence, and the rich men Of the
land, the representatives Of trusts and
monopolies feel shat way towards the
the labor vote whenever . campaign is
under way and is 10 liable to be east
agsinss its interests.
II the TINES editor could enjoy . lu-
cid interval long enough to imagine
himself Negro, 1t would no doubt en-
terrain . different opinion.
The burden OF his cong 10 in favor of
caste or race prejudice. It continues:
at was indeed Q cruelty to the Ne
gro to arm him with this weapon which
had to bt on, that would stir up per-
petusl strife between him and the
white man, and that strife could have
but one result. All men capable of
thinking should have known that It
must create perpetual war between
the races. and all such men ought to
have known that the result OF that war
had to be disaster to the Negro"
There are some Negroes who would
permit this reckless statement TO psss
unchsllenged. Have the Amendments
to the Constitution of the Uni.ed
States brought disaster to the Negro?
I o ask that question is to answer IL.
Before the enactment of these
amendments. we were slaves. and owp-
ed no property, and held no ofi.es.
Since the enactment Of these amend
ments, we own twelve million dollars
worth Of property in VIRGINIA and five
hundred million dollars worth in the
United States of America.
Before the enactment of the amend.
ments. we had no Office. holders; since
the enactment of the amendments, we
have had United State Senators, Con
gressmen, Collectors of Internal Reve-
nue., Collectors of Customs, Legislat-
ors, Couucilmen. Clerks, Mail-carriers
and it is estimated that we now dra "
$4,000 ,oC0 in salaries from the govern
ment.
Before the ensetment Of the Amend
ments, we had no professional men !;
since the ensetment OF the amend.
ments, we have Bank presidents, real.
estate agents, business men, theologi.
ans, ply sicIsns, lawyers, electricians,
machinists, authors, editors, inventor 9,
veterinary surgeons. druggists, astron-
oniers and men in every vocation and
calling OF life.
Our homes dot every hillside, Mr..
TINES editor and our cattle may be
seen covering the mountains, valleys
andi 'r.ver- ban. of the southland.
Where Ihen, sir. comes your croakings
of disaster, which like Pos's Raven
tells of despair The TInKs asks:
"And what ia to be the final outco me
OF his wrecked busines.2"
We do not know. From our view.
point, we are leaving that part of the
business to God and eternity. You'll |
be dead before long and we see no need
of you worrying yourself into an ear
!ier grave about the matter.
Il remarks: