Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-09-17

siye ideas are as yet on the march
the Southland.
THE POSTS OBSERVATIONS.
OUR able contemporary, the Wash
ingtop, Cd. o. PosT paid US the follow
ing complime MT in its issue of Sept 4th,
1904:
1.-The esteemed Richmond, (Va.)
PLANET Is a newspaper from which we
always derive pleasure and information
IN equal quantities. 1t is an earnest
friend of the African race and is, of
course, conducted by colored talent and
supported largely at least by colored
patronage. Moreover, the PLANET gives
its readers excellent suggestions, as, for
instance, when it says that there is no
enmity between the better class of white
people and the better class of colored
ones. 1t is the hoodlum, irresponsible
elements of both races which cause
trouble and stir up race prejudice. ;
This is both wise and true. No one
could have said il BETTER
1t continued:a p
''On this occasion, however, our chief
object is TO congratulate the editor of
the PLANET upon his recent trip to
Stauuton, Va. land Co thank him for the
useful and signific revelations con-
tanned in his roseate chronicle thereof. I"
Then followed an extract from the
columns of the PLANET, with reference
guage used is not only entertaining
but amusing as well in commenting up.
on the joyous hours we spent in Staun-
ton. J The Posi- concludes as follows:
lis there not in this experience some
thing more than the recreation of an
ditor. the exploits of brilliant trench
erman, the mods, ami becks, and wreath
ed smiles Of the ladies? Here we are
told of Staunton, in the very heart of
the valley, the home of Virginians of
the Virginians-th descendants of an
ancient aristocracy, whose traditions
still prevail and whose ideals are as un-
changed as the blue hills that grace and
boautiiy the distance. Yet colored peo-
pie are Chere engaged in Legitimate and
remunerative avocatioDs, patronized.
protected and encouraged by their white
nelghbors. They are embarked in pros
porous and honorable enterprises, they
have comfortable If not luxurious
homes; yet the whites do not hate or
prosecute them. ON the contrary, they
contribute TO their opnlence. There are
hospltable homes, trim lawns, festivl-
ties, and SO ON, but the races dwell to-
] IN Nil xub IL,
the Negro Uhrives according TO his
worth, just as the white man does.
Surely there is in this moral which
our Richmond editor might elaborate
still further, and TO the great advantage
of his readers"
The Posi- is right. In this, there is
much upon which we might elaborate.
The trouble in this section is due TO the
hoodlum element of both races. The
duplicated in other sections of this com
monwealth, and noticeably SO in Rich
mond. The upper classes of whites
have no i'll feeling towards the Negroes.
and in fact, never think of the race
determinations SO much commented
upon, until they are reminded of it by
either the politicians or the "poor
whites, or rather that element of the
latter who may be classed as loafers
and have time to exercise their preju-
dices.
Our experience, extending over pc.
Rod of ten years has been that a pro
gresSive citizen of color is respected
down here just in proportion as he re.
spects himself and adds to his earthly
possessions, to the extent of making him
self taxi paying citizen in the comman-
ity in which he lives. 1t is but fair toe
to state that we have never known q
white southern business man to endeav-
or TO crowd out, antagonize or ''kill off,
a ''go-ahead'' colored man engaged in
business, even though it be the same
kind OF business in which the white
man Is engaged. There is abso.
lutely no race discrimination at the
teller's window of white bank, either
in depositing money in the bank or
drawing it out.
On the other hand, white men will
give us advice and encouragement and
if we prove ourselves worthy, will give
us credit as well. This is one of the
anomalies of southern life and it often
induces us to say that when southern
white man Is friend to you, he is q
friend all the way through. We ad.
wise our people to cultivate this friend
ship. Our curse is the ill-mannered,
in-bred, disreputable, crap shooting
loafer. We are afflicted too with the
other kind, who although well-dressed
are no less inimical to our material ad.