Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-07-16

of the declared reasons for our ex-
isCence as an Independent govern.
nent. is 7ot this condition sufficient
ly serious TO twelve millions of Col
cred Americans to justify and neces-
state a national convention, and
sufficiently alarming to all believers
in our country's destiny and defend
ers of her democracy and Of her fair
name TO compel their sympathy and
support
But what train of evils were let
loose upon Colored Americans with
acknowledgements In the southern
states unequal and oppressive laws
have destroyed all their civil rights.
excluding them from public places of
business, of accommodation, or resort.
even public parks and public libra
ries, barring from state. quasi-public
and the public schools forcing them
into separate and inferior schools.
fastening upon them the public ig-
nominy and caste stigma of segrega-
tion in public travel. casting them
even into peonage. They are under
the tyranny of taxation without rep
resentation. Left in that hapless and
helpless condition Of citizens without
voice as to law-malzer. law-enfOrcer,
or low Interpreter, they are not only
the victims of injustice In the courts,
but denied all trial by court or jury,
are the prey OF the fiendish white
mob. until now the almost daily
lynching of human beings has dis
graced our country before the civ
ilized world.
Inevitably this race persecution
infects the north. Color prejudice is
on the increase. Discrimination based
on color in civil rights and I'm eco
nomic opportunities is gaining ground
Jim-crow' cars have reached the bor-
ders of the national capitol. twice
color disfranchisement has raised its
horrid head above Mason and Dix
on's line. while bloody race riots and
barbarous lynchings have reached up
20 Illinois. even to the home OF the
martyred Lincoln.
Most harmful and portentous Of
all in this crusade Of race hate and
color prejudice is the action, under
the present administration, of the
federal government itself. For the
first time in the United States a pres
ident has ohtcially proclaimed color
a political disability. BY his declara-
tion that he would not appoint Col
Ored citizens TO Office where white
citizens objected. he completed
southern disfranchisement. IL is Col
ored soldiers who are the victims
when for the first time a battalion is
discharged wholesale and without
trial because of an alleged ARRAY
with civilians, and the new departure
aggravated by the failure co establish
individual guilt after trial is boldly
continued. That unique degreda-
tion of free citizens. segregation by
color in public carriers. has been
sanctioned and nationalized by fed
eral commission, while the federal
court in support declares the right
Of even an interstate railroad TO
segregate ColOred passengers.
Unless one-eighth of the citizens
of the United States are TO be re-
duced to political serfdom, unless our
Republic is to abandon democracy
for the caste of color, this present
trend must be resolutely opposed.
Graver crisis in a Republic could
hardly be. Colored Americans, rally
TO your own defense. From every
town and city send delegates to this
annual meeting, there TO deliberate
and organize for self-protection
against this menace. And let all true
patriots of whatever race. all friends
of liberty. battle with us for equality
of citizenship. for true democracy,
that this may be in a very truth the
home of the brave and the land OF
the free.
BY order of the President,
ALEXANDER WALTERS.
VIM. MONROE TkOTTER.