Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-07-27

ed for the time when they could ''even
up with the Negroes of the southern
domain.
The war came. then followed recon
struction and in its wake, the attendant
evils of a new regime.
Bitterness, hatred, determinations
We're all crowded into the space of a
few years, but the colored man was de-
clared to be a freeman and citizen.
From owning nothing, he became a
taxpayer, property and a man
of the professions
He labored $50 years for the white
man and forty years for himself.
AS result of his efforts, his wealth
in Virginia is now fifteen million dol
lars, according to the official reports of
the State Auditor and this must be con-
coded TO be less than the actual amount
which should be accredited to him.
Ia the country at large, he owns near
ly six hundred million dollars worth of
property.
His residences no longer partake of
the nature of the log-cabin, but are
built on the most improved style. Here
may be found pianos. touched by maid
EN- fingers, playing the best selections OF
WAGNER or MENDELsoHN.
Now comes the poor whites, who see
ing that they are being outstripped in
the race, call for more laws and demand
a cessation Of progress.
Declaring themselves superior, they
are yet UNIV; ling to prove il; but insist
that the Negro shall not be permitted to
work, although they criticize him if he
steals.
The colored peoples educational pro-
gress has been so rapid that they are
calling for the removal of the prop.
They want the taxes paid on property
owned by colored people and none other
applied to the payment of the expenses
of the colored schools.
They are blind enough not to see that
rich men can with reason make a SINH
lar demand with reference to the poor
whites, for it is a singular thing, never
theless true, that money knows no col
or.
The $50 years unrequited toll is not
considered. The colored people as pro-
ducers have made no impression upon
their minds.
They pay no attention TO the fact that |
the Negro produces six hundred million /
dollars per year of the wealth of eleven |
southern states which upon an equation |
would charge up about fifty million dol |
lars per annum to Virginia.
In the face of these facts, the uncon-
stitutional constitutional" convention
is seated in our national capital, trying
TO find way TO disfranchise the Negro. |
although each member of it is pledged
as a citizen OF the United States not TO 1
disfranchise him.
What will be the outcome of all this?
No one can tell. The mandate of the
Norfolk, Va, Democratic Convention
was to restrict the suffrage, so to dis
franchise all of the Negroes and not dis
franchise any white man.
This is a Siamese puzzle. 1t was a
command to do the impossible. To car
ry ont this order is to commit perjury
and in addition, to enacta constitutional
provision which will not stand the test
of the courts.
The colore6 people are not worrying
themselves about the matter. AS to the
elective franchise, that has been already
taken away, nullified by fraud and
made mockery in the streets of theI
cities.
The thieves have tired of their vocation.
They are trying TO find way to ease
They whit to transfer the questionable
methods to the shoulders of all the peo-
pie. But, fraud is fraud, no matter where
it finds lodging place.
Whether i'll or out of the constitution,
lt will be blot upon the common
wealth and rebuke to the men who
are commanded to enforce it.
God has guided the Negroes through
out all of their Affections and in the
midst of all OF their adversities, and He
viii continue TO do so to the end of
time, the unconstitutional constitution
al" convention of VIRGINIA to the con-
trary Notwithstanding.
HE'LL bring all things right in His
OWN time.
The retirement of Hon. WILLIAM ].
BRYAN from the active leadership of the