The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1906-09-13
Plain Words to Negroes.
Richmond Times-Dispatch

The leaders OF the Niagara movement
a recital of their detestation of the
hideous crimes of the negro race, which
make the race feared and hated wher-
ever there is a lonely homestead in a
negro community, and should have con-
cuded with solemn pledge to conse-
crate the intelligent men OF the race to a
persistent effort to eradicate the evil
which is the prime source of the Gun
reasoning prejudice against the negro"
When intelligent men like those in the
Niagara movement show the intelligence
to grapple with this question in behalf
of the two races, their demands for other
things will meet respectful hearing
which will astonish hthem.-Philadelph ia
Ledger.
This advice from a northern news
paper may we'll be taken to heart by
the better class of negroes in all sec
tions. Southern newspapers gener-
ally are preaching crusade against
lynching, and they would be success
full if the black brutes would cease
their devilish practice. But, olong as
they keep it up, white men will lynch
them in spite of all the preaching,
and it will be next~<o impossible to
convict and punish the lynchers.
The Tinles-Dispatch is opposed to
lynching for any crime knowing, as
it does, that lynching for one crime
leads to lynching for other crimes,
breeds contempt of law and the
spirit of lawlessness, and makes a
O. bad matter worse. But the ma
iority of white men throw argument
to the winds when brought faceto face
with this crime. They may give re-
spectful hearing to the Governor Of
the State who pleads with them, but
they will not give heed. So long as
this crime is committed by negroes
lynching will continue. These may
not be pleasing facts, but they are
facts, and facts must be reckoned
with.
What is the negro race going to do
about it? The question is asked with
all possible seriousness, for it is a
question which concerns the whole
negro race Every such crime reflects
in a measure upon the black race,
and places every negro man, more
or less, under suspicion. The most
fiendish crime of this nature ever
known in Virginia was committed
by a negro ianitor in the public
schools of Lynchburg, who had been
reared under the best influences,
who was highly esteemed by teachers
and pupils, who enjoyed the implicit
cofidence OF the superintendent. 1t
is not meant to imply, of course,
that all negro men are liable to com
NIT this crime. Many of them are
as far from it as white men. But,
when so many are guilty, how can
the whites discriminate?
1t is a terrible situation for the
black race. and they must reckon
with it. Once more we commend to
the leaders of the negro race, those
who are genteel and who would lead
their people to higher things, the ad
vice OF the Philadelphia Ledger. In
stead of passing resolutions condem
ming lynchings, let them address
themselves to the cause of it, and
make an earnest and persistent effort
to eradicate it. 1t should be the pre-
vailing topic of sermons, of lectures
and all manner of discourses by ne
gro speakers; and teachers of negro
boys should hammer into their pupils
day after day, the enormity of this
crime. By these means, and by al
possible means, the respectable ne
groes should make q crusade agains
the infamy, and endeavor with th'
help OF God and the help of the Law
to stamp it out. If they succeed
lynching will cease, if the practice i
continued, not only will lynchinl
continue, but the very existence Q
the negro race will be in jeopardy.
No one would buy q sailboat with sail
that could not be reefed. There is alway
that possibility OF little too much win
that makes a cautious man afraid to 60 NJ
provided The thinking man, whose stomae
sometimes goes back on him, provides for b
stomach by keeping bottle OF Kodol Fl
Dyspepsia within reach. Kodol digests wha
you eat and restores the stomach to the col
: dition to properly perform it's function
Sold at Parker's Two Drug Stores.