Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-08-17

The Onancock riot is one of the
most regretable incidents in copDec-
ton with race autagonism that have
ever occurred ira the State. II the
details of the affair are not exag-
gerated. or colored with sensation
aiism, 10 is without parallel. II our
memory serves us correctly. in tho
history of Virginia troubles between
whites and blacks from the DAYS of
reconstruction 10 the present time.
Clashes and bloody clashes grow
ing out of political excitement fire.
quently took place In virginia and
in every other Southern State during
the terrible era I'm which Reuublican
malice and hatred aimed. fin order
10 tho perpetuatiou of power. 10
put the whites under the heel of
their former slaves. Later than
this we had the Wilmington. ". c.
riot demonstration of the fact
OF the necessity Of the assertion OF
white political supremacy. which was
illustrated I'm the driving of certain
offensive colored political leaders
from the city.
individual cases. IN which negroes
nave made themselves obnoxious bv
infamous violation OF the law and
the most heinous Of crimes. and
excited race prejudice TO the highest
pitch, thereby bringing upon them
selves mob vengeance. have been
numerous. But If we eliminate a|
certain outbreak I'm a Texas town
where &c turned out that nine
tenths or the population. that is
the white population. was from thcI
North, and N we disregard the At-I
ianta demonstration. which thisI
newspaper and other NEWSPAPERS
throughout the South condemned inI
unsparins terms. the Ouancock riot
Us an exceptional Southern incident
ot expression of race feeling fn n
matter of negro agCrossivonoss. ra-
suItlng as &c did in an effort TO ma1zcl
Ihe whole colored community suffer-
for The sins of the few.
10 mas been somewhat OF n south
ern boast recently that it was leffI
Tor the Northern states. or. rather
The central Northern States. no of-I
Iord evidences Of IN arousinr of
race prejudice consequent unor
which the entire negro D0Du1atior
on provocation given bv one on fv-o|
OF its members. was subjected In tbo|
destruction of its property and toI
oelne driven out cC a town OF n
village
Tn the face of the Onancoct af-
lair we are forced Zoo the humi1f,t-
.NI confession thar virginia cannot
loh+er indulge in this boast. Unless
,Heie are mitigating circumstoncesI
'"al nave not come to tho surface
ana we cannot conceive that tbo~o
are the riot SIS DISGRACE tn .r,
State. OF inc
I4e Governor IS 20 be commended
LOT ms promptncss I'm repairing to
,-e scene or The disturbance and fc~
determining 90 place tho mi1Its,,.
In OF The Commonwealth at 49,
disposal OF the civil powers IN nv
ueI 70 the restoration of pcaco ana
lhe protection OF rhe innocent o55
,"e citlzens generally. and A. g. 80
ne hoped that this viii be fo1Io-,o,,
10y most vigorous measures on. ~
lafl oi the authorities OF the Ion. -.
.Iele out even-handed Justice se ~
. w cen the races in this unfort,,ra,.
situation. --t~'S B
o.I a." r tnat way. and in that way only
~ Sa "sinia yindicate her claim thai
-l ls an example to the nafior a. /
sue. gSpSct OF fostering and stjmnIatin1
n ,ly relations and friendsbjD ne I
wen White and coIored In o. 4
W.. ana In that way only. can sbo
~ herself in position to anst9or
ny charges Of Northern critics -
aiuihs the attitude Of the wbites -
~ as the negro, and avoid boi,o.
- d disadvantage in replying 70 tLe
doors" her own .
'->e"s-Leader. August -. 1907 |