Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-04-26
WALL FROM 'ANOKE.

THE Roanoke, Va, DAILY ZINES
(white) after stating that curiosity
leads it to peruse the columns of the
PLANET, criticizes our editorial entitled,
"Knew How to Shoot"
1t is Of the opinion that it should be
suppressed. We publish the editorial
in another column.
This has been the opinion in all coun-
tries having an autocratic form of gov
eminent, but it is presumed TO have no
place in a republic.
The editor of the TINES INDUCES IN a
dissertation upon the influence of relig-
ion and education, unmindful OF the
fact that he is practicing the very evil
which he condemns in others.
If we incite colored men to lawless-
ness as he alleges, does this justify him
to incite white men TO murder?
The editor is evidently at sea relative
to the position Of the PLANETS editor
on these questions.
If he will think of JEssUP, Georgia
or CARRoLToN, Miss, or WILMINGTON,
North Carolina, or PoINT COUPE PARISH,
Louisiana and AMHERST Q. H.
VA, where colored men were shot
down, mutiliatei and hanged; where
officers of the law became mob-leaders
and the mob-leaders became the officers
Of the Law, as suited their purposes, he
would no doubt understand the 1trouble
! to which we refer.
Men, women and children of darker
hue have been butchered, subjected to
; indignities too horrible to mention, and
tortured while on their Bonded knees
pleading for mercy.
| Was it better, dear sir, TO die fighting
or to submit and be shot down and kill
ed like rats in trap while a cowardly
jailer was blubbering that he was forced
to give up the keys2
We believe in law ard order. We be-
; lieve that the low degraded elements
amongst us should be sent to the rear.
We believe that true politeness is the
direct road to popular esteem of the
white people and that this popular es-
TEEN is the most direct route to mate
rial, industrial and commercial prosper
ity.
But, sir, manhood must come first.
The inherent love of life and the right
to defend it has been recognized in all
ages.
The white man has won his place in
history and held it in modern times by
his bravery, his disposition to meet
heavy odds. regardless of the conse-
quences to his personal safety. ~
WILL REYNOLDS, the colored man, if
reports are to be accredited, was no
criminal and it is conceded that he was
no coward. 49, 80
&. He gave bullet for bullet, shout OF
defiance for shout of defiance, life for
! life.
He killed seven men who met him as
he met them. 1t was fight with the
odds all against him.
Dynamite was used in struggle
where fifty men were pitted against
one man.
Fire was used in contest where the
one lone defender was up against mel
armed with the most deadly weapons.
He died, asking no quarter and giving
none. This we say, Mr.. Editor was an
Exhibition of courage which all men
white or black, must admire and com
mend.
1 Had VIII, REYNOLDS been a white
man and his assailants colored ones, We
should be equally as forward in dofinG
our hat to this modern hero,
You say that we should be punished
for saying so? Bring on your punish
ment.
You say that we should be dealt Will
5 according to law for melting the act
' Bring on the law by which you will con
, vict us.
We admire brave white men; W
a lcommend heroic colored ones, We re
t peat that when the tablet of fame is un
yelled in the niche where may be foun,
a the names of brave men, WILL REY
n NoIDs, the lone black Negro will b
y found to have won a place.
ii We regret sir, to disagree with 20
= in your conclusions, but we said to 20
then and we repeat it now that man
q hood is to be cultivated and drawer
Q recognized.
! We have no fear Of your threats. W