Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-05-02

ware that he was perpetrating a huge
joke upon the brilliant Nebraskan.
when he took him at his word and
imagined that he was willing TO be
martyr for a principle II a Negroes
head was sticking in the centre Of the
principle.
Secretary Taft was much embar-
raised in Cooper Union, New York
by questioner and Mr.. Bryan met
the same fate ~ the following tele-
graphic report is to be accepted:
It says:
New York. April 21.-After his
speech in COoper's Union tonight Mr.
Bryan was Intercepted by those in
the audience. lie was asked:
as the Democratic policy Of dis
.franchisinE the Negroes in the South
I'm accord with the spirit of brother
hood. OF which you have been speak
ing2"
THE white men OF the South put
q qualification on Negro suf-
frage in self-defense. replied
Mr. Bryan. There IS not a
not put on a similar qualification uu-
der the same circumstances. The
white men in neither the North nor
the South will permit a few men to
take the solid black vote and use it
for the making of money regardless
.of the interests OF the community. as
was done by the carpet-baggers in
the South
Now. We ask in all candor, aid Mr.
Bryan meet the issue? Did De an
swer the question squarely? Hon.
William H. Taft lodged the question
on the Brownsville affair and Hon.
William J. Bryan lodged the ques-
tion on the spirit Of brotherhood.
Both gentlemen are using the politi-
clans weapon OF evasion.
Sir. Taft did not say that the action
.of President Roosevelt fin the Browns
Vile matter was right Mr.. Bryan
did not say that the Democratic pol
icy OF DISTINGUISHING the Negro was
right. but both of them adopted the
policy OF condoning the oHenses.
Mr Bryan. the question IS not
whether the South puts the qualid-
cation on Negro suffrage I'm seIf-de-
Tense. Is it right to do so? Mr..
Bryan, &c is not a question as to
whether every community in the
North would put on a similar quail
ihcation under similar circumstances.
Is it right?
Mr.. Bryan, &c is not a question as
TO whether the white men In either
the North OF the South would per
nit few men TO take the solid black
vote and use &c for making money
regardless OF the interests OF the
community. The question. Mt. Bry-
an, is &c right 90 DO so and do such
actions square with the teaching ex-
pounded by you from the Holy Bible?
When the issue is met squarely and
fairly and the deductions drawn
therefrom, you win then be In posi-
ton TO remain upon the lofty pedes-
tai that your iusuce-lovinc utter
.anccs have placed you.
In replying 90 this question. Mr..
Bryan has lost sight OF the golden
rule. which applies as much 10 the
Negro as it does TO the white man.
We have been much surprised at
this evasion OF a plain question and
1t leads Us 20 believe that after all
white men are human and that few
.of them can stand the strain placed
upon them when forced 10 practice
.somo OF the great right principles
that they enunciate. From our view
point. Mr.. Bryan is Just as much in
favor Of the Negro as is Mr.. Taft and
Mr.. Roosevelt and all OF them have
a very poor opinion OF him when If
comes 10 that section where his vote
is not counted.
Colored men, who saw or thought
that they saw a silver lining to the
Bryan candidacy had better sit I'D
and take notice" II seemed at one
time that there would be a land
slide" Of colored men In his direc-
ton during the November elections.
but at the present time, the colored
brother is sitting up, rubbing his
eyes and exclaiming, What did that
man say?"