Richmond planet., 1906-08-11

eiits according 20 taxpaying abili-
ties is never advanced except where
the race issue is involved. This
policy would be laughed to scorn in
any other section OF our country,
and would be considered as suicidal
as to mete out punishment for crime
according 20 the taxpaying ability OF
the criminal. Directly or indirectly
the negro contributes his full share
toward bearing the public burden in
every Southern State. and is. there.
fore. entitled TO the education OF
his children on equal terms with
the rest. as his just and equitable
portion, and not as a civic gratuitv.
We deprecate the CONTROVERSY
now happily waning. between the
advocates OF higher and OF Industrial
education. The negro requires ev-
cry kind and degree of education to
meet the wide circle Of his needs.
The question OF industrial, higher.
or professional training is merely
one OF ratio and proportion, and
must be left 10 individual aptitude.
Inclination. and opportunity.
We believe that the individual
should be developed as a man. a.
wei as workman; that his train
ing should lead 20 a broader concep-
tion of truth and duty. as we'll as TO
the performance of specific modes
OF service.
I'VE advocate national aid to To-
cal education in those States and
parts of States where existing condf-
tions demand IL.
Crime has no color: the criminal
no race. The wrongdoer should be
isolated and dealt with as an enemy
TO society. To impute 10 a race the
evil deeds OF individuals tends 20
promote rather than diminish crime.
IL ensenders race animosity and In
cites the spirit OF revenge and re-
prisal,- which always finds lodgment|
In the breasts of the baser members
OF both races, thus perpetuating "a
constant state of hatred and strife.
OPPOSE VICE AND CRIME.
"Au the forces Of law and order.
without regard TO race. should be
solidly arrayed against vice and
crime. and especially against its.
most heinous and repugnant forms.
There should be inculcated in the
minds of white and black alike the
necessity for higher respect and rev
erence for law and order. We stand
pledged 10 continue 70 do our utmost
in this respect and TO cooperate with
our white fellow citizens TO bring
about the desired result
1T is the duty of every citizen to
obey and uphold the law OF the land
and or the community in which he
resides, to fulfn cheerfully every
civic obligation. and to uphold the
!, highest patriotic principles and T.
daa1C IS 81
the government to protect every
citizen in the full and equal enjoy
ment of guaranteed rights and priv
ileges. For any State or commun-
ity to enact oppressive regulations
tending TO humiliate and degrade
any part OF its citizens is a mistaken
and a shortsighted craftsmanship.
Equality before the law and be-
hind the law lies at the basis of our
institutions. Every citizen should
have due weight and influence in
making the laws by which he is to
be governed, as we'll as equal pro-
lection and benefits of such laws.
We are anxious to be clearly un-
derstood on this point. We enter
our determined and unalterable
protest. gainst all regulations sub
versive of this principle, under
whatever guise or disguise they may
appear. In this attitude we believe
that we represent the true American
and Christian ideal.
"Pessimism is a remedy for moth
ing. II rights no wrongs. corrects
no evils. leads to no constructive re-
suits. 1t chills our spirit and par
alyzes our energies. We urge the
negro to maintain a manly Christian
! courage and TO preserve an optimis-
| tic spirit. even amid conditions
which battle and buffet him. God
reigns and the negro is an optimist.
SITUATION DEMANDS UNION.
The situation demands union OF
aim and effort among all those who
are subject to the same burdensome
conditions. The counsel of division
is the counsel of death. We re-
| joice in the growing spirit OF har-
mony and cooperation among ne
groes OF various beliefs and shades
OF thought for the common good of
the race. In ou.' united endeavor
we invite the cooperation Of all a.