Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-02-20

perstition. There are two classes OF
white people. one class hates the coll
ored people. and all the more on ae-
count OF their literary attachments
ana financial progress and another
class OF white people who wish them
well and encourage them in every
effort 90 better their condition and
to Increase their value as the indi-
vidual unit OF the community.
When Mr.. Taft speaks in general
way, he is liable TO offend the SEN
sibilities of the one. while trying to
appeal to the feelings of the other.
For our part, we ask no special Ia
vors, we insist upon all OF the rights
aud privileges given any other citi-
zen. We resent any discrimination
based upon our race or our color for
the reason that the Book of books
is against 1t and the Constitution OF
the United States prohibits it.
We are Of the opinion that there
Is more OF a white mans problem in
the Southern States than there is a
Negroes problem. We are endeavor-
ing with the aid and sympathy Of
progressive white men to improve our
surroundings and the admissions are
already being made that we are sue
ceeding. The record Of our achieve
ments is known OF all men. Mr..
Taft has decided to wash his hands
Of all responsibility for the settle
ment Of these questions at issue.
What does he mean by this? Does
he mean that the appointment OF col
ored men of worth and responsibility
10 political positions Of responsibility
will be discontinued, because, for
sooth, the white ofHce-seekers pro-
test? Does he mean to state that the
colored man can expect no recogni-
ton outside the gates of the Civil
Service reservation? What else then
can this distinguished Ohioan mean?
Mr.. Taft gave voice 70 much that
was sound and he no doubt inspired
a hope Of "a square deal" in the
minds OF all OF the colored people
who heard him speak. He said:
We have been told that the whites
aud blacks cannot live together in
the same country and that the ne
groes should be sent away t. some
other country. Now where are we
going TO send the negroes? You are
here, and you viii remain here.
You are here to stay. But I tell
you this, that IL we were to find a
place which IL would be practical 70
SEND you that the first people to pro-
test would be those whom the theor-
ISIS say you cannot live with. CLaugh-
ter and applause)
Mr.. Taft is right, and yet there
are the Negro-haters. who are de-
handing this very thing. They have
no financial interests TO Safeguard
They are looking only at the "rieh
pickings.' which they presume
the better class OF colored people are
getting and they long 20 drive them
out or send them out and then they
hope to possess their land. Mr.. Taft
struck home" when he said:
II does no good 70 say that the
race question cannot be solved. II
can be solved, and is being solved.
There is no doubt about this and
II the politicians and so-calIed states
men would cease their senseless aei-
tation and let the better class Of
white people and the better class %
colored people live In peace. this
matter would adjust itself and peace
and prosperity would abide in all of
this land.
Mr. Taft was certainly right when
he gave voice to the following de-
clarations:
again / ask you to elevate the IN
dlVldual. IL may be necessary IN
give some OF the cofored people sd-
Vanced education-such as the nro-
iessions-but the masses sbould have
primary and idustrial education So
ehat they can make their hands use-
iuI and make themselves good citi-
zehs. or course the white man has
many advantages over you in the
matter OF wealth and education. bnf
ene two races are necessary TO one
another. OHe
ms then is common ground mon
which the serried ranks OF the HIGH
CT education corp and the Industrial
army may stand with perfect conf
uence and mutual satisfaction. This
Is the proper statement of the case
and we have noted that DR.. Booker
l. washington has been occupying
TINS platform for some time.
Mr.. Taft's concluding words were
repiete with wisdom and brimful of
common-sense. oh. that every COL
ored person in the United States
would realize the full force and Of
feet OF it He said.