Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-03-01


country districts are thickly populated.
and where Negroes are few, say the
southern representatives, but it viii
never do In a section of the country
where the blacks are in great numbers.
ana where the country is sparsely set
tied. In explaining his opposition 10
the bill. one of the southern members
said:
1--WE respect the Negro, and will aid
him TO better his condition in every le-
gltlmate way, but we win not allow a
state or affairs, where it is possible for
Negro TO travel over twenty or twen-
ty-five miles Of road and daily visit ise-
lated warehouses. Mind you, we are
not against the Negro because he is
black, but because it is made possible
Tor irresponsible Negroes to obtain these
POSITIONS, and create a great deal of
fear throughout the country. The de-
livery of mail to rural districts is made
by contracts. Bids are advertised
Inc contract is awarded TO some sup
posedly responsible person. It turns
out that the contract is sub let--al-
though this is illegal, it is done in hum
dreds of cases-and an irresponsible Ne
gro is given the job. Perhaps tempta-
ton besets him. He gives way. A
CRIME has been committed. There is a
hue and cry, the white population is in
arms, and bloody race war is the re-
suit. It is the fear that such crimes
Will become common under the propos-
ed conditions, and fear that such a race
war Will be the result, that makes the
southern delegation oppose the passage
of the Loud bill None of these condi-
lions might exist. The Negro might be a
man OF excellent character, but it would
make no difference to the southerner in
an isolated farmhouse. The fears ex.
pressed above would be uppermost in
the minds of the farming element. m
raj free delivery would have TO be with
drawn, because the farmers would not
accept their mail from Negroes, andthe
old condition of effairs would be resum-
ed "
The INDEX. APPEAL says:
cit does not seem TO us that the
grounds alleged for opposition TO the
Loud bill are either sufficient or reason
able, and 1t is TO be hoped that South
ern representatives VIII pause and de-
liberate before they reject the advan-
tages of rural free delivery system for
reasons SO inadequate
'"This is possible but a very remote
danger, and we fail To see how it is in
creased by work in the rural free de-
livery service. Ordinarily this would
be protection against this danger, if
there be any truth in the saving that
an idle brain is the devils workshop.
for the carriers mind would be largely
engaged in the performance of his du-
ties, and the sense of responsibility and
of responsibility as United States of
ficlal would undoubtedly exert re-
straining influence upon him. On the
other hand, the wretches who usually
outrage women in isolated homes are
the idle and thriftless who loaf about
the country unrestrained, and who
have time TO make their plans and
to watch for their opportunity. Lone
Women IN isolated homes are exposed TO
this danger all the time"
The INDKx-APPEAL concludes as fol-
lows:
There is u remedy against this dan
ger which Southern women in all coun-
try places, and in the cities, too. accord
ing TO the experience of Lynchburg
and Richmond, must adopt at once,
and that is the practice Of the use of
firearms. Husbands and fathers
and brothers should teach their
female relatives how TO shoot, and TO
shoot Co kill. We are persuaded that
this will do more TO break up rape than
any kind of law, not excepting lynch
law. Let il be generally understood
that white women are nos defenceless,
but that they are armed for the pur-
pose, and it Will not be necessary TO kill
more than one or two rapists to reform
the rest of them.
Meanwhile, the free rural delivery
system has come TO stay, and the sec.
ton which is the slowest to adopt il
will be the section which will be be.
hind all the rest in the growth of intel.
ligence and prosperity"
This is the right advice and we com.
mend the editor OF the INDEx-ApPEAr
for his boldness in advocating such a
policy
But there is another logical phase OF
| the question. The term Southern wo
men" embraces the colored ones as well
as the white
Colored women would find it a
healthy pastime, even though its expense
might be an item to be considered.
This also comedies with our advice tc
! colored men in the Southland in deal
ing with white mobs. They too should
learn 20 shoot and to shoot TO kill.
Let it be generally understood that
colored men in the Southland are not
defenseless; but that they are armed
for the purpose, and it will not be neces-
sary TO kill more than one or two lynch
ers to reform the rest of them"
you are all right in your theory, Mr..
INDEx-APPEAL, even though we have
worked it out to its logical conclusion.
Armed colored men will do we'll to
take notice and prepare themselves ac-
l.cordingly.
Lynch-law must go!
TlLLMAN SnENCED.