Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-03-21

the blame for their failures in life
upon someone aside from themselves.
There are certain things which our
friends can do for us. There are
certain other things which no one
except ourselves can do. No one can
pass a law preventing the Negro
youths from becoming just as indus
trious. just as economical. just as
clean morally as the youths of any
other race. no one can pass a law
TO compel one race TO respect anoth-
err We ourselves must invite re-
spect by our conduct.
II is true that these laws cannot
be legally passed, but these Negro
hating white folks have a very pc
culiar way OF doing things outside
OF the law. We have found that the
most potent fact in this business is
the nan designated TO enforce these
laws. When you eliminate hope and
annihilate justice for the Negro. you
practically take away from him every
stimulus FOR industry and every in
centive for activity. When you kill
his relatives burn his cabin. threat
en- his life. you take away from him
every desire 20 econOmize. He an
swers. Whats the use2"
Here In our own State we have
witnessed only this week one Of those
industrious Negroes convicted and
condemned TO serve one year in the
penitentiary, despite the fact that all
of his savings OF a life time were de-
stroyed by mob, and the Governor
OF this great state condemned. be
cause in keeping with his oath of Of
fee. he sent troops to the scene OF
the trouble and later went there in
person.
No laws have been passed. DIT.
Washington. TO prevent these colored
ppople from being industrious and
economical but the effect is about
the same and hundreds of them nave
left that nelghborhood 10 seek an
asylum in another land. Those who
remain. DR.. Washington. are strong
~ tempted to regard the advice of
the predicate spoken Of in the Scrip
lures and "eat. drink and be merry.
for tomorrow we may die" Still It
is better 20 be optimistic and to look
on the bright side. Taken as a
whole. the distinguished educator
may be right. but there is room for
great improvement and help comes
when one makes his wants known
and his troubles manifest We be-
lieve though in self help.
Truer words were never uttered
by DR.. washington and better ad-
vice was never given than when he
said:
Before We attempt go solve the
race problem. each individual should
see TO IL that he solves his own pro-
/ blem.
II man SAYS that the Negro viii
not buy a farm. do not argue with
\ him. show him farm that the Ne
gro has bought II a man says
/ that the Negro will not build a de-
cent house. do not argue with him'
show him a decent house that the
I Negro has built II a man says that
the Negro viii not use his education
/ IN sensible directions. do not argue
with him: show him n Negro that Is
using his education 20 benefit the
whole community. II a man says
that the Negro will not lead a moral
life do not argue with him; show
/ him a Negro in every community
that Is leading a moral life and use
/ ful life.
I'VE can help ourselves again by
\ getting on the negative and defen-
sive side OF HE, by growing cheer
ful and hopeful OF the future"
DR.. Washington concluded:
our friends are not leaving US In
\ this country, neither North nor
/ South. We have more friends to-
l day than We have ever had. We
own more property, more land, more
houses have more schools, more col
l leges. more industrial institutions,
more churches. and more ministers
/ than has ever been true in the his
tory OF the race. You have right
here in the city Of Washington mag
uifcent examples of what the race
, has been able TO accomplish mater
tally. educationally, morally and re-
/ ligiously."
We believe That the race is gaining
friends. even though it has lost one
of the strongest of all OF its friends
in the White House. We are glad
TO know that God is raising Others
up for us and we hope and pray. ere
the dawning OF another year a
change of heart will be experienced
by the Chief Executive OF the ma
tion and that "Ephraim may cease 70
be joined to his idols. before Shiloh
comes" a second time.