Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-04-21

mind an unknown quantity indeed
the Negro OF America il regarded al
most ~ his entirety as missionary ma
terisl, just o little removed from bar
bartsm, yes, even savsgery.
Thousands and thousands OF celored
people In this country know better,
aud we are determined not to play
fool, psuper and savage to satisfy
q few whites who want to solicit, in
the name of religion, money from
wealthy christians in the North and
south. We believe that through hor-
est, independent Efforts in organize
tiohs OF our own, commanding she re-
spect of the world the black man can
in time 30 lift himself in ths estima-
tion OF tbs white brother az to finally
break down prejudice, discrimination
and ostracism. To that end we are
laboring, believing that it is Jehovah's
way OF using us TO solve the great
question. No amount Of baby cring-
ing. humiliating criticism or abuse
can tnrn as from our way. God is in
this advance movement and He will
see His children justified.
THE CHARGE OF our KNEkIns.
Does the position We take turn from.
and spurn the help others desire To
give to aid us7 That is the charge our
enemies have spread broad east
throughout this country. We are A
grateful people, but recognize that
there is more than one wsy to aid and
assist people struggling to rise to
worth and respectability. Helm that
: subordinates, humiliates and ensIayes
10 not the help TO elevate the people /:
help given with q suspicion, string
tied TO it does q thousand times more
harm IN the end than it does good,
! We are verv desirous Of so lifting our.
] selves In the confidence and respect of
the Christian world as to have is feel
that whatever is given to promote our
interest can be faithfully entrusted to
our stewardship.
In the second place, to rise to an
we must conduct our own fairs. II
We are to be anything IN the ewes of
the world we must conduct some.
thing. Ii is herein true greatness pre-
eents itself. For the race that cannot
conduct intelligeutly their own affairs
must forever remain tools and foot
STOOLS or superior races in self govern
ment. But conducting our own affairs
10 not to be done in q subordinate wsy
as though we were wards OF q merciful
protectorate; to demand the respect
or others, principleship, proprietor
snip and governship must be ours.
SHOULD CONTROL THEIR OWN.
1t appears TO US that q people like
ours after so many years OF adherence
to the Christian religion should begin
TO assume control Of their own demon.
lnationai projects. If we are not pos
sessed OF such ambition il argues our
own perpetual ihefficiency.
But it is impossible to live amonC
the American white people without
seeking to rise to eminence and merit
Even In slavery time the powerful in
hoence OF the white mans greatnes,
stirred aud moved in the bosom OF
many slave the fire and thirst for
liberty that made possible the Under
ground Railway" over which thous.
ands OF freedom seeking passenger,
made their escape to free states. Not
only so, but when Emancipation was
declared few men, fresh from the
chains OF slavery, scared and warped
and distlgured by the rigors of the
slave system found their way to tbs
nails or Congress and there showed
the inmate fires Of greatness which had
been smouldering in their bosoms
when at last an opportunity was grant
ed these dormant aspirations leaped
forth in vivid flames, demons tratins
to those who had fought for our free.
dom the truth that they had fought
for men ana not Pygmies, and so to-
day the Negro BAptists OF this countr,
desire an opportunity, unhampered by
would-be friends and Judas Iscariots
20 prove themselves worthy and cspa.
bic in dong their part to help evange.
lice and christianize the world.
BRILLIANT ExANrLRs.
Already some brilliant examples ot
the possibility Of the Negro cend net.
Ing affairs intslligentIy and wisely arr
before us. Booker T. Washington 4