Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-05-26

we to urge white meu to support q
proposition which would disfranchise
themselves? What would be thought
Of advice given which would recon-
mend that they relinguisA constitu-
tional rights and consent to their own
enslavement2
Yet this is what the TINES has the
effrontery to say. Here is its Lam
gusge:
"Soon after the death Of Professor
Charles Il. Cooke, OF Hollins Institute,
Zschariah Hunt, q colored man, WHO
had known and loved Mr.. Cooke for
many years, addressed comm1nica-
ton TO the Roanoke Times, in which
he paid q noble tribute TO the memory
of his friend. There was the stamp of
sincerity in every line, and it was q
tribute OF which Mr.. Cookies relatives
may be justly proud.
But there was on g statement in the
colored mans paper which is of more
tn an local interest. He said that Mr.
Cooke ives 90 gentleman of rugged
honesty and integrity, and was q true
re preventative of that type OF South
erners who are the Negroes best friends
on earth In all ages he went on,
the best and nobless elements of
whites from Virginia TO Florida have
always proven to be our best friends.
The loss of Mr. Cooke is g severe blow
to every colored person st this place,
snd they mourn their loss as sincerely
and earnestly as Go thousands Of
whites throughout this Southland.
The TIMES says:
1.-THE Southern Negro has nothing to
fear from men like Professor Cocke,
and there are thousands and thousands
OF such uen in the flesh throughout
the southern States. These men have
the kindest regard for the colored
race, and would do all in their power
to help the black man in lifting him.
self up and lettering his condition"
The above Is true. but we fail to I'M
derstand that such gentlemen would be
guilty Of endeavoring to disfranchise
the best friends we ever had. 1t says:
cit is in that spirit that the propossI
il made in Virginia to disfrsnchise the
great body OF Negro voters. There is
no menace to the Negro in this move
ment."
Does the TIMES really believe this2
10 there any one who could csiole
themselve or others into believing any
such ststements9 II this statement
wa, surprising, what follows must be
even more so:
"There is in it no disposition to put
him down and humiiiate him and de-
prive him Of his rights"
Is this the truth, Mr.. TMEs7 Il this
the truth? You have said that the
Negro must keep his place. VOC ad.
vocsted the slim Crow Oar Law
You now advise the taking away from
him of his right to vete
How can you hsrmonize these facts
with your declaratiens7 More than
this in the next few lines, you say:
"The time has come when In the in
terest Of both races the Negro voter
shou d he retired, and when the whites
should take affairs Of government into
their own hands."
It may be that language was intend.
ed ct times to deceivs, but that any
one would make one statement in one
section OF an article and then show
the fslsity Of it in another is 9 kind of
logic Of which we Eni no record in the
authorities upon that subject.
The TINES grsciously remarked:
There are many colored men in this
community and in this State who read
The Times and who know that The
Times 10 their friend"
Oh. yes the Indian was q friend to
the bear,-he wanted both his meat
and his hide.
The huntsman was friend to the
ostrich,-Ae wanted both his feathers
and his strength as an article and 90
clemens Of commerce.
The farmer was q friend to the
turkey.-he wanted the money that
it's sale to the citizsn would bring to
his family.
SO is the TINES, q friend to the col.
ored men,-it wants their taxes with
cut representation and their labor
just compensation.
The colored brother is not bsnkering
after such friendship and is sksptical
upon all propositions submitted to
him by people of this character.
But the most remarkable advice as
yet given is that which directs the col
ored man to the slAughter-pen OF their
rights. It says:
1--WE would never willingly wound
the feelings OF such men, nor would we
give them bad advice II we knew it.
But We have no hesitation in advising
ell such colored men to vote for the
Constitutional Convention, believing
as we do that it is to their interest to
have such convention and to have
O qualified suffrage in this State. 1t
msy be- bad thing for the profession
al Negro politician, but to the colored
man who is not in politics, but who IL
in business for himself aud who il try
inc haitian his condition this Kuova.