Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-01-02

tended. They stood ready TO suppor,
the Intelligent. law abiding white men
against the Ignorant and the vicious as
applied to white and black men, but the
white men of Virginia would not have it
SO. White men defended ignorance and
vice existing in white men and attack
ed not only ignorance aud vice among
colored men, but education and virtue
among the same class of people.
The intelligent, Industrious, self-re-
spectirg colored people of this state have
always stood ready TO support any legit-
innate publication of the ballot, so long
as that publication was rot based upon
race. color, politics or religion.
IL then stated the conditions as they
low exist showing that the South
asked TO be let alone and even this fav-
or has not tended TO simplify the stu
alton. Ii said:
"Since the birth of those preposterous
notions, generation has passed away,
and time has Sottened much of the
rancor and resentment that issued from
North now sees the situation with a
clearer vision and more correct ap
prehension of the difficulties which en-
compass the race question in the South,
particularly with respect to suffrage
and citizenship, and there is an ap
parent Willingness to let the men who
stand nearest to the burdens to do the
lifting. Undoubtedly that simplifies
matters, but 1t does not solve the prob.
lem fully and satisfactorily.
Then followed this strong, emphatic.
but true language:
Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia
North Carolina and, in fact, all the
Southern States have passed suffrage
laws directed against Negro suffrage.
but In nearly every instance the laws
have acted as boomerangs. and resulted
In DISTINGUISHING almost as many whites
as Negroes. That has been almost un.
iversally true of the invention of pay
ing taxes for any considerable time in
advance as Qualification TO vote. In
Virginia, where the plan has just been
adopted, we have most impressive evil
dence Of its effect in a greatly reduced
white electorate, and we now find our
selves very much in the fix of che peo-
BAS Va ANON OAhs NAlO IJuRllSH
sparrows to destroy caterpillars, and
who later We're anxlously looking for
some larger breed of caterpillars to
destroy the English sparrows. The
threat of Acknowledgement does not
Seem to have terrors enough to compel
he white voter TO part from his 81 or
81 30 as the case may be Indeed, mar
white citizens, otherwise eligible to
vote, eagerly embrace this convenient
avenue of escape from the button hold.
ing of enterprising and soliciting can
dldates. The plan restricts suffrage,
beyond doubt, and also restricts the
white electorate pari passu with suf.
fra5o."
There you have it. History is repeat.
ing itself. The truths stated uy WEN
DELL PHLLIPs and emphasized by
CHARLES SUMNER are immutable.
Wrong doing never pays in the long
run. Honesty is the best policy and
the Golden Rule is the only safe guide
for nations as we'll as for individuals.
Let the politicians continue their ag-
itation in attempting to sever the
friendship existing between tho better
elements Of the black and white races
The result will always be same, for
COPS promises are Interchangeable and
His DEGREES are immutable
On the other side of the River we
shall have justice done, and this long
suffering praying, struggling race will
live with COP forever, in that bright
and happy land.
Eyes, truth will conquer at the Last,
AS round and round we run,
And ever the wrong is proved TO be
wrong,
And ever justice done"