The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1904-04-15
PROTECT rae NEeRo UHDER THE
law.
he Editor Of the Ocz,4 sauuer.

letter upon the subject Of the one that
1 recently wrote under the heading
protect the Negro Under the Law"
from the fact that many Of our white
citizens have commended me for the
views and the appeal FOR maintain
ing our white race civilization therein
expressed. And for the further fact
Of the grateful acknowledgement
made TO nae Uy prominent and
worthy men Of the negro race for the
spirit Of that letter, and the hopes
they have therein. I was glad that
you copied into your columns the
resolutions Of the Confederate
Veterans at Memphis. surely, surely
that was the voice OF the true South
ern people. and q powerful demand
for the maintenance Of our civiliza.
ton.
Who shall contradict them? Who
shall question their right to pass that
judgment? They but show that they
have a kindly memory for the faith
ful service and protection freely and
coursgeously given by the negro race
to the women and children Of the
south when the men Of the south were
far away fighting in terrible war.
Ny purpose in discussing this ques-
tioE Is only for good. Good for my
race and people and good for the
negro race. There is this paramount
idea ia this matter: Mutuaiity Of
domestic interests between the white
people and the cOlored people Of the
south. And it seems TO me that that
is the only basis upon which TO settle
the race question. Several great
business men who employ large num-
bers Of negro lsbOrers have told me
that my recent article is on the right
line, and they said that convince the
negro that the laws full protection is
about him and it will give the south
the best labOring class ia the world
that the negro was our best defend
ence for labor from every standpoint,
and that We ought to show our APP
probation of the fact by giving him
full and adequate protection under
the law. Certainly both the laws Of
God and those Of civilized man give
the right to the master to protect his
servant. This right becomes q duty
where wrongful and uncivilIzed force
seeks victim. For q longer time
than any prophet now living can
estimate the negro in the south will
be its defendeLce for labor and do.
mestic service. Therefore let US not
forget our humanity for the negro
and our respect for our own Anglo
saxon blood aud spirit. The civiliza-
tion that regards not, but neglecls the
absolute Individual rights Of its peO-
pie is a civilization that is in decay.
In conclusion of this letter l wish to
insert in it some extracts from letter
received by me from Rev. r. ;.
Quarterman, pastor Of Mt. Zion
African Methodist Episcopal church
of Ocala, in which be expresses his
satisfaction and that of his race for
the kind words I have said for them.
| believe he speaks the true sentiment
Of his best people when be says:
1--WE are not asking for social equality
and don't wantit We are for pro-
lection under the law as an American
citizen. We have scores Of
white friends all over this south land
who stand where yau stand.
There are no people in this country
who know the negro as the Southern
white men, and no one should be his
friend as the southern white man.
The feeling between the races in
Ocala and Marion county have been
good and will continue so, if the
responsible white men will see to it
that true and tried white men are
placed in authority. Both races will
be injured ty bad men managing our
affairs"
Ihave also received Il letter from
Booker T. Washington, a copy of