Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-03-07

change with strong hands the policies
OF the party and thereby disgrace the
traditions and history OF the nations
controlling and governing party. To
accomplish this, executive lynch law
would be invoked II necessary. II was
necessary, because the Democratic
party of Texas refused to assume the
responsibility and the provocation was
found IN the Brownsville shoot-up
The provocation was announced. and
President Roosevelt, strange to say.
with stroke of his ben issued an exc
cutive order. which in effect lynched
loo men who had sworn to give their
lives in defense Of the nation. He did
this regardless of the fact that the
grand jury, selected and appointed
by Texas Democratic Judge. had
made sweeping investigation and
was unable TO point out a single
guilty man. The Democratic party
was in no position to accent what n
had accomplished through the Presi-
dent, he having gone far beyond their
expectation. The nation stood as If
struck by a mighty electric current.
dazed and dumb-founded. Secretary
OF War Taft wavered and halted
so unwise and so unstatesman-
like was the act Of his chief.
SSudAOF y. OenSCn Foraker.
IL was IN the midst of all this
southern Democratic acclaim. amaze
ment and stupor OF the nation that
Senator ]. B. Foraker. of Ohio. who
is an absolute stranger to defeat
rose from his seat in congress and
called halt, saying thus far shalt thou
go and no further. He marched down
the aisles of congress and threw his
lance full and fair against the brazen
toreheads of the advocates Of lynch
law and the traducers of his party's
record. He spoke OF wrongs too long
endured, he uncovered and showed up
the treachery, the malice. the hate
and the injustice OF the entire pro
ceeding. and with splendid COURAGE
espoused the cause OF the weak. Sena-
tor Foraker pointed out the Injustice.
the hypocrisy. and the tyranny of the
Roosevelt propaganda His speech
hlled with argument, reason, persua.
sion and unanswerable logic, won for
the lynched soldiers a hearing in the
public forum Of the nation. Into the
debate he threw all his energy. His
fame had gone before him, and he
was at once welcomed as a friend of
the republic, who was willing and
able 10 contend for all the princi-
lcan party is pledged. His great
speech defending his position. and
differing from the Roosevelt method
was ample, accurate, reasonable. con
vincing and unanswerable. Il showed
great thought, an intimate knowledc 20
OF the various forms OF government
a deep insight into the various well
springs OF human action. and a courage
that compels respect and admiration
The most difficult army questions are
answered in few words. The vulnor.
able arguments in favor OF wrong are
refuted with n question and answered
with a word. For forcible illus
tration, apt comparison. accuracy and
clearness OF statement Il has never
been eXcelled. This speech went 60
the heart OF the nation with such force
until the fears OF the administration
we're aroused and the tip was sent
down the line that Foraker must be
retired TO private life. Secretary OF
War Taft is the man selected to &C.
complish this dastardly crime. WIN
the nation become n party 20 the
crime2 VIII Ohio endorse such un-
holy work? These are the questions
upon the lips OF millions OF Re
publican voters to-day. II Is my opiu.
nation, could commit no greater crime
than stand idly by and allow the
bear hunter, schemers. onice-holdars
and insists 10 retire the greatest de
fender of constitutional rights the
people have 60 private life. Ohio
should stand by him for the sake OF
the nation. and the nation should stand
by him for the sake of human rights
and human liberty the world over.
No Negro citizen. high or low, rich OF
poor, can afford 10 waver. halr OF
falter in his support OF Senator For
aker. He is the only man IN public
life to-day who has the courage to
defend the weak against the outlawrv
OF the strong. and the Negro man who
can be induced 10 desert his stand.
ard for the hope of Office, for the hone
OF personal favor, for the hope OF an
invitation to the White House for
the hope eff being called a sensible
Negro, a leading Negro. or for the
hope OF being given a few dollars and
a delegateship TO a Republican con
vention, is unworthy of being called
a man, and should be reduced to the
position OF a slave for his natural life
What have said may be regarded as
severe and ill-tempered language. but
TIE luOlSnL OF man COnSenuDC TO
strike down, or agreeing to strike
down, or helping others to strike
down his benefactor while he is
standing in the public forum defend.
ing his rights. is so akin to the snake
which crawls, Kisses and bites and
which all men abhor, that language
is too poor indeed In which TO ex.
press my contempt for sucn person
Now, with regard to whom I would
advise Texas Republicans to support
for the presidency, would say that nv
judgment is that Texas Republicans
and for that matter all Southern Re
publicans living in States that can
give no vote toward electing a Repub-
hcan president, should refrain from
pushing their choice upon the nation
al convention, and those States which
elect the president should be allow
ed to nominate n man OF their own
selection. Therefore / think II wise
and correct for Texas TO send TO the
national convention an uninstucted
delegation OF the best men In the
State not holding Office under the
Roosevelt administration. But /
mean no modification OF my oft ex-
DroSSod wish that Dnrublfoor- go