The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-02-16
Ghe Messenger.
NO BURIAL PLACE FOR NEGROES.

The article below, taken from The
Guide, of Germantown, Of last Sat-
urday, will be read with great sur
prise. We admit that it was news TO
us that in Germantown or any other
northern city there was no discrimina-
ton between the races in the places
for the burial of the dead. We were
under the impression that ever in
those sections of the country where
there were mixed schools for the chill
dren the dead were buried in separate
cemeteries.
Germantown used to be a suburb Of
tha city Of Philadelphia; but now, we
believe il forms a part of that city,
constituting M Of its wards. The
Guides article indicates Tat VI 20 re-
cent date white people and negroes
were buried in the same cemeteries,
but that this rule had been suspended
by some competent authority, whether
by action of the city government or
the cemetery owners is not intimated.
1t would seem that there is no place
for negro dead in such free cemeteries
as the city may have and that their
burial there is prohibited by munich
pal authority, for it is stated that "un-
less something is done the bodies of
the cOlOred poor will be denied the
right of decent burial, for their dispos-
al, of necessity, will be by means of
the dissecting rooms of anatomical
boards"
This is even more remarkable than
the fact implied in the article, that up
to the present time white people and
negroes were buried in the ame enc
teries of that city. We do not look
for the horrible consequences predicted
by The Guide. That papers article
follows:
Now hat colored citizens are de-
barred from purying their dead in the
local cemeteries the white people of
Germantown VIII nave to recognize
their responsibility in the matter. and
a scheme of immediate relief should
be carried out. AS is we'll known, the
condition Of the great majority of the
negro population is that of poverty,
therefore in times of urgent need they
have to be aided by the more prosper
Gus white population. 1t seems an
anomaly, though, that in a free land
where citizens are supposed to enjoy
equal rights and privileges that there
hou be any necessity for such a
movement as this, and the action re-
sponsible for it does not SAVIOR of hu-
name feeling. It is an ugly fact that
the burying grounds Of Germantown
and vicinity admit of no accommoda-
suitable piece of ground within easy
reach of the town is not secured
promptly for the negro population
hereabouts the bcEies of the colored
poor will be denied the right Of decent
burial, for their disposal, Of necessity,
will be by means of the dissecting
rooms Of anatomical boards. Such a
statement will no doubt astonish many
of our readers. Our people have
been slow in administering charity in
one form or other, and surely they will
not be asked in vain at this time for
material assistance. In response to an
appeal for this object. issued in The
Guide last week under the name Of B.
Frank Kirk. a member of the firm of
Messrs. Kirk and Nice, funeral direc-
tors. a sympathetic citizen has very
generously placed in the hands of Mr..
Kirk a contribution of thirty five dol
lars. 1t is to be confidently hoped that
others in a position to assist in this
undertaking will nobly avail them
selves of the opportunity.