Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-03-28


ton OF constitutional guarantees and
now you get up before Brooklyn
audience and tell them that the A
mendments will give them their
rights and that their friends will de-
mand the equality of the enforce
ment under the law? We cannot un-
derstand you. Secretary Taft and your
predicament is distressing. The dis
tinguished speaker explained too how
Tuskegee Institute becomes a politi-
cal question.
Here is what he said:
Now what power has the indus
trial education at Hampton and Tus-
kegee and the other institutions up
on this pOlitictl phase OF the Negro
problem? 1t has the most direct ef-
feet in this. that the true basis OF
political influence in any community
is Industrial independence. This I
understand to be the shibboleth of
those who hearken 20 the teachings
of Hampton and Tuskegee. If the
Negro viii make himself indispensa-
bic 10 the business prosperity of the
South his political influence will take
care of itself"
This may account for some of DR..
Washington's political ebullitions
He said further:
"Thus We find that the principles
inculcated at Hampton are those
which make the Thirteenth Four
teenth and Fifteenth Amendments
TO the Constitution OF value to the
Negro race. ! know it is the habit
of many contemplating the condition
OF the two races in the Southern
States TO shake their heads and say
that the Negro problem is far from
solution and that the future in this
respect is dark. Plans have been
suggested for a migration of the Ne
groes TO some other country. where
they would live by themselves and
grow up by themselves and have a
society by themselves and create a
nation by themselves. Such a sug-
gestiOn is chimerical. The Negro
has no desire 20 go. and the people OF
the South would seriously object TO
his going
They were brought here original
here until they have become Ameri-
cans. They are in this country as a
part of our people. and are bound to
continue to be so. They are entitled
to uncsasing effort on the part OF
the whole people in their struggle
for better things both because Il is
our duty and to our interest TO secure
them equal opportunity. Whenever
called upon the Negro has never fail
ed TO make sacrifices for this the only
country he has and the only flag he
loves"
The above reads we'll in print and
If the distinguished gentleman would
live up TO it in principle. all would
be we'll He concluded and in these
utterances. we think We detected
some distant reference to Browns
Vile, when he said:
"All they can ask is equal oppor-
tunity and equal enforcement OF the
laws in respect to them and I'm re-
suect TO the white race. When they
have violated the laws they must eN-
pect the same punishment as the
white race. II is entirely natural,
because they have been subjected so
often 60 Injustice and contumely and
insult. because OF their color and
their race, that they should be sus-
piciOus whenever members of their
race are brought 10 punishment that
the presumption in favor of their in
nocence is not as strong as IL would
be in favor of white men similarly &C
cused.
1t is also natural that their ra-
cial prejudice and sympathies can be
more easily aroused in behalf OF some
one of their own number than are
the race prejudices OF the more num-
erous and more fortunate white
race But such tendencies are 10
be expected. and should no more turn
aside the deep sympathy OF the well
wishers of the race than any other
tendency directly traceable to the
long history of suffering and mis-
fortune to which they have been in
the past subjected"
But what is the use of lodging
the issue? Speeches of this kind
will not do towards winning back
the confidence OF the Negroes Of this
What they want, Mr.. Taft
Is the restoration of Companies b, c
and ID. OF the Twenty-ffth Infantry
to the Army of the United States
without the requirement that these
men be made TO prove their limo
cence." II you have any influence
with that distinguished white gem
-leman in the nations mansion at
we wish you to use it
TO this end. You are jurist, Judge
Taft and you know as we'll as we do
that Mr.. Roosevelt is all wrong in
the matter OF requiring men charged
with crime to prove their innocence
rather than force the government to
prove their guilt.
You know that this is in violation
Of every principle OF law in the con-
stitution of every State in the Union.
Can't you tell him so, won't you do
It, Judge? II you can do this, the
opposition to you in many States of
This Union will disappear like frost
before the sun. We know you are