Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-04-21
REV. DIR. GRAHAM
BLAZES THE WAY.
Powerful Plea for Racial independence
THE OSTRACISr1 OF A PEOPLE--THE
INFLUENCE OF FINANCE.
TO Strike Out Along New Lines--No Longer
Beggars and Suppliants.
Take
ing Declaration Principles.
To Strike Out Along New Lines--No q

Mn. EDITOR:
Those Of us who represent the vir
ginia Baptist State Convention stand
for the highest Christian principles
principles of the loitiest and most sx-
alted character. This is true not with
standing the course pursued by our
enemies In unchristisn. impolite and
erroneous charges made against rs.
They are persons, many of them, ire
spopsible for their wicked assertions
for they are exponsuts Of q higher an
tkority whose biddings they dare not
oppose.
The prisciples represented by us do
not rest for their greatness upon dis
play and bcmbsst-too much of that
has been shown alreadv in glittering
array of words and statistics setting
forth our denomina.ionsl worth and
accomplishments in this country. Over
and over again has it been published to
the world that ss denomin stisn the
Negro Baptists among their possessions
owned large number Of schools; but
when one awakes to find many of the
institutions claimed ss ours belonging
in fee simple TO our friends-owned,
controlled and managed by them.
We are not complaining against
them keeping their own; we would be
done irreparable injury were the
echeols and institutions owned and
controlled by the white friends. gratu-
itously given over to our ownership-it
would be the means OF turning the
race from the good old safe way Of
manly, self-selisnt progression. The
structure of permanent racial success
comes OF continuous, not disconnected
and disjointed, strivings for the higher
excellence IA life. 1t is in this wsy
peoples learn Co equipoise and contain
themselves in the management of
great concerns. It would not be wis.
dom for the United States, having an
uexed new territory with inexperi-
enced races to hand over to them ali
the mschinery and autonomy Of self
government before they demonstrated,
step by step in national growth, their
espability. Nor do we feel that we
can measure mp substantially with
those who have had many centuries In
advance of us in the conduct of great
institutions unless we follow along as
they did with small beginnings, rising
higher to greater requirements accord
ing to the natural order of things.
BLUSH WITH SHAME.
Our young people of inte diligence,
having heard all their lives glowing
state ments OF our denominational sue.
cess, blush with shame when they
awake to find matters in their true
light 40 to what we really own. We
have misused and abused the terms
d. md This IL
abuse have deceived us wond erfully :
ard so we wake up to-day to find our
selves great in numbers, but weak and
hampered in possessions WE, OURS
and MINE, in many places are written
where it should be THEY, THEIRS and
YOURS.
Now, let the honest, candid reader
stop right here-let him think and re-
fiect-is it not reasonable to suppose
that at this stage cf our history some
members of the race feel il indispensi-
bly, our duty to set about securing to
ourselves something real tangible, and
ours. to be handed down TO our poster
ity 90 an ancestral legacy Of earnest
ness and faithfulnesp for their welfare
Since our emancipation benefsctors
have done much to aaeliorate our sir
cumstances, situstion and condition.
Millions have been expended in honest
efforts to bring Us up to worthiness.
And now with the true, honest and
progressive Negro comes the question
@What is the best and surest way for
those thus benefited to show their
gratitude and worthiness?"
THE BURNING QURsTIoN.
Is it by sitting down, arms folded
waiting for school houses and churches
60 be built and gratuitously handed
over to usi While we shout "thsnk
you boss. you are the greatest man In
the worldf" Or 10 IL best for as to
prove our worthiness.
First, I'm organisation which shall be
separate, distinct snd independent