Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-09-19

the greatest moral battle OF modern
times-the fight for the abolition Of
the color line In Europe. Asia and
Africa the revolt against mere de-
nomination OF color and race has he
gun. The triumph of the highest
civilization is the hope of all races.
and that civilization is not and new
er was the property OF any one race
or color
The above is very good begin
ming and it has the proper ring to
&C.. II continues;
Tho mofern attempt TO make it
so is the last grasp OF barbarism.
and has caused a moral deterioration
which today threatens tue peace and
progress OF the world. Nowhere has
the fearful cost of using crime and
lies as a weapon to force races into
subsection been SO apparent as right
here IN the United States"
The above is drastic language and
lis certainly impreEnated with truth.
But discretion is thrown to the winds
and good Judgment absolutely ig-
nored when 10 says:
This nation has stolen the black
mans labor. and has so learned
theft. 10 has lied away the liberties
OF black uugants. and so learned
lawlessness. IT, has prosututed the
ballot and SO shaken the foundation
of Democracy. Fellow Americans.
does 81 pay2 Is the superiority Of
Che white race demonstrated by burn
ing human beings. lynChing innocent
workiugmcn, stealing black mems
votes and insulting black w0men2"
This then is appealing TO the worst
passions OF the Negroes of this couu-
try. without anording any compensat
ing advantages and it may Dee said
that it is au appeal To the worst pas
sions of tine white men as Wen. for
it has the tendency to arouse anger
rather than to awaken sympathy. It
charges the nation with a crime that
BE- has str.vcn 20 unload. even 40 10
had been guilty of the same for Sc
must not Doe forgotten that the ma
tiou gave ms freedom. such as it is.
This same nation gave us citizen
ship with the right TO vote. even
though its agents have repeatedly de-
cliued to- enforce the drastic provis-
ions thereof. Our condition in 1908
is ninety percent. better than &c was
in 1855 and for this we should at
least Doe thankful aud not place our
selves in the category of iurratcs.
When the address charges che na-
tion with theft. lying aud lawlossness
Be- plays havoc with our future chan
ccs of relief and drives from IT'S ranks
the conservative elements who swing
propositions and measures TO either
the winning or 60 the losing side.
The language used would hardly
pass current in polite society The
charge herein contained includes Ne
eroes as well as white men. for an
of us go 90 make up the nation which
is charged with lying. stealing and
prostitution. Such Incorporate use
OF words tends 90 drive more people
from us chan it brings Co the support
of our cause. It has always been a
mystery Go us how a man of Prof.
W.. Z. b Dubois knowledge. infu-
cnce and experience can fail 20 see
that by these methods. our cause is
retarded rather than advanced.
10 is this radicalism that checks
progres. i'm the avenue OF success.
Dr. Boo ser IT, Washington learned
this in his first lessons and for more
than twenty years has possessed him
self in patience. regardless OF an that
has been said derogatory of him and
his efforts. He has evidently felt
kcenly the criticisms Of his enemies
and we have been led 20 believe that
he had somewhere at Tuskegee. Al
ALBANIA. q 'cussing room~' where
within it's confines and solitude ne
could az times give vent 90 his feel
ings. When De came forth. 10 was
with that serene countenance that
disguised absolutely the storm that
was raging within his bosom.
10 is this self-control that has
marked the successful men of all
ages. SO true is this that the axiom
He. who controlleth himself. is
greater than he. who taketh a city"
mas come to be proverb Of far
reaching value and is the kernel of
wisdom even in this age.
It is accordingly inconceivable to
us that this address should contain
language of a character. which can
neither be justified nor explained a.
way. The address reaches firm
ground once more. though, when il
says:
The program laid down by the
Negro haJers of America is the most
tremendous mistake this nation ever
made II is uncivilized. illogical and
wrong; IL cannot triumph unless the
Christian religion is a lie. Yet the
converts to race segregation and sub
loo ION