Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-01-13
A PLSA FOR SEPARATION.

Inv HiOuhuhu, v 49, OttPAECH In lis
issue OF the 9th inst, proceeds to dis
cuss Separate Cars" 1t says:
"The plea is made that a separate
car law would be humiliating TO the
Negroes. They say it would be, and
they ought to know their own feel
jngs ="
The above Is q concession which is
thrown as sop TO the whale" 1t
continues:
But why would they be any more
Inundated in being compelled to go
TO themselves than the whites would
De to gu TO Themselves AS we view
the matter, the real humiliation con-
sists IN their being willing and anx-
ious to go whore they must know they
are not wanted"
The Dove is q fair question and ls
entitled to fair answer. They are no
more Inundated than white men
would feel under similar condition.
Pass law debarring q certain class
ofwhite men from entering Pullman
Palace Cars, simply because they
could not trace q lineage to the "revo-
lutionary fathers" and this class of
white men would feel 90 much humil.
lated as does the Negro of to-day.
When you place q requirements
which is based upon an alleged inferi-
ority on the part Of the persons dis
crimiDated against, you then humili-
ate them aud awaken spirit of an
tsgonism which increases as the OBJ
fashionable features of the require
ment are enforced.
You will see therefore tHs.at the Ne.
groes are no more Inundated than the
whites would be under similar condi-
tions.
The DIePAToH continues:
"They must know the whites do not
want thes. &c the same railroad car
with them, yet despite this know l.
edge the Negroes will insist upon GO
) ing there"
Tins is the enunciation OF q very
dangerous doctrine, that the wishes OF
only one class Of the body polite are to
be consulted without any regard for
the wishes of the other class.
The majority can force upon the
minority any kind of oppressive legis-
lation or policy without any regard
for the inherent rights OF the minority
or the commands OF the constitution,
which is the compass Of the govern
ment itself.
The rich have the right to discrimi-
nate against the poor and the trusts
against the people.
1t sacrifices the bedrock principles
OF the Declaration OF Independence
and 10 q mild expression Of the divine
right Of kings, the supremacy of the
aristocrasy over the DEGREES IF the
people.
By this declaration, the inherent
rights Of the Aumblest citizen are sac
rihced upon the altar of prejudice.
The argument ia so absurd as to al
most provoke ridicule. 1t is o decla-
ration that our democratic form of
government is Q failure.
The DIsPAToH says:
II tnere were any question as to
the class or accommod auons afforded
them. the matter would assume q diff
ferent aspect, but in all laws provid-
ing Tor separate cars for whites and
blacks provision invariably is made
forbiding discri nination in the quail
ty Of service"
It is promise "msde to the ear and
broken to the hope" There is not q
state in the union which has provided
separate cars for the citizens OF color
but what the services is inferior on the
side of the blacks and superior on the
side of the whites. 1t says:
again, it is said that in the inter
ests OF education we ought to be will
Ing to allow the present condition of
| things to continue, 30 that the black
man may profit by observing the h.h-
its ano demeanor of the white man.
The answer to that is, that we have
| been doing that very thing for thirty
odd years and We cannot see where it
has been productive OF much good"
Truly has it been said that there
are none so blind as those who will
not see."
That the citizen of color has inn
proved is sustained by testimony and
statistics. We violate no confidence
when We say that the example set for
u' has in many cases been anything
but creditable.
W. W. WATTS at Newport News, Va,
set an example which is in keeping
with similar actions on the part OF
white men elsewhere. We presume
you know that he was charged wit h
criminal assault upon q white woman.
We presume you remember the case
LOT ToE PENN. who committed
asimilH- crime upon LIMA HANNA (col-
ored) st DAnville, Va. several years
ago. Is continues:
I'm the Judgment of most OF the
whites the colored peoples morals
sad insnLers sTs not improving"
T..