Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-10-08

cd an .ussty OF the truts, comes
too late, To- after tho poor NeEfo Is
hanged, shot aud burned by hundreds
of the best (?) citizens, the discovery of
the fact that he waa innocen cannot eff
feet him personally but the original false
hood Co the effect that white woman
had been outraged still stands against
the race unchallenged in the minds
OF he people North and West. and the
public press that is always exceedingly
energetic in giving the widest circula
ton TO such charges against the Negro
IN the first instant usually fails TO make
the correction when the truth is discov.
cred. These conditions have and are
proving a great injustice and danger to
the Negro race.
class of worthless, shiftless Negroes
who so North and who are so much in
evidence about depots and other public
places has also tended TO aid in turning
public sentiment against us ALL One
has only TO travel through the rural
districts of the South little TO be con-
vlnced of the dastardly malevolence of
those who send out these gigantic slam
ders against the Negro race; IN that sec.
tlon. White ladies are as safe and feel as
secure among the native colored citizens
as they did III the time of rebellion when
the Negro men were the only protection
they had; that there are occasional in
stances IN which an unnatural deprav-
ed brute in human shape, white as
well as black, will violate woman no
one denies; but in such cases he should
be treated as one was treated recently
IN West Virginia viz, arrested; taken
before grand jury; Indicted; tried by a
jury OF his own countrymen; found
guilty and sentenced to death all within
IA few days after the crime was commit
ted. But this kind of procedure does not
agree with the policy further South;
for maintenance of the sovereignty of
law and the dignity of the constitution
is not In harmony with the prevailing
sentiment and plans in that section.
The first act, after a crime is commit.
ted or even charged in that section is
to send at once to the associated press
a report colored in blackest hue charg-
ing scme Negro with the offence, which
report is invariably accompanied by the
prediction that If he is caught there will
be lynching etc. This is usually follow
ed by another dispatch to the effect that
the Negro was caught and that several
hundred of the best CDcitizens" hung him
at once and ri1dled his body with bull
lets and occasionally the public is in
formed that the Negro was burned alive
the outraged perso- lighting the torch
herself.
These horrible raping stories followed
by the murder of some helpless Negro
tend TO arouse public sentiment against
the race in the North TO fearful degree
which is the chief thing aimed at to be
used against the Negro, which aim is
being successful in a measure that is
alarming.
To thoughtful mind the course pur-
sued recently by the legal authorities in
West Virginia VIXEN dealing with the
rape case there to which reference has
already been made, proves almost con
clusively that West Virginia so far as
sentiment is concerned has nothing in
common with the solid South. We have
noted the change Of sentiment and some
of the means by which it has been
brought about.
We have not however, attempted to
point out the injuries and the evils which
are IN store for the race in the event of
complete success. These are so apparent
that comment is not necessary. To
counteract this the Negro should, by
plans thoroughly matnred and energeti-
cally prosecuted, see toit at once that the
public Is no longer is deceived and mis-
led by this systematic effort upon the part
or those, who are seeking with satanic