The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1916-07-01
THE NOTION INCIDENT.
(From the Cleveland Gazette

LC.)
Major Robert Motion has recently
oeen installed as principal of Tuske-
gee, Ala, N. and I. Institute. He
made a favorable impression while
mere in. Rochester. Everyone regrets
to know that his wife was subjected
to such brutal treatment as to be
driven out of Pullman car in Ala
bama. 1t appears, according to re-
ports, that the riding in a. Pullman
car by the Motions had been a subject
OF discussion before the journey was
begun. Mrs. Motion felt that she was
clearly within her rights to ride in a
Fullman car anywhere it went. The
white passengers complained of her
presence and when everything was
opportune, they depended upon the
usual laW-breaking officials of Alabama
10 drive defenseless woman out of
the car, in which she could travel with
comfort and ease, into a. "jim-crow"
car, where vermin dwelt. It is very
unfortunate for the white passengers
that their selfish ease and comfort
had made them snobs to the extent
that they objected to the presence of
the wife of the principal of Tuskegee
Normal and Industrial Institute-the
school that the country says is "the
colored mans finest educational
asset Is it possible that any white
woman could be so robbed of the milk
OF kindness and womanly instincts
that she would urge the driving of a
rehned mother out of her berth which
she had purchased, which the COM
pany had accepted the money for, in
order that white supremacy might get
another boost? Above all do we re-
greet the reported statement issued nv
Major Motion. He did not stand nv
his wife in her fight for her rights.
he advised the submission to in
human oppression. He is quoted as
saying that he "has the highest re-
gard for the traditions of the South
ne having been born there" We
commend him for his consideration
OF the South, but we are amazed.
however, at his foresaking his wife in
this hour of her humiliation. We also
nave respect for the traditions of the
South that are humane and just, but
we denounce and Cpl ose the recent
TRADITIONS of the South" which
make them lynch, burn, Cypress and
degrade the colored race under the
disguise of Southern chivalry and
greatness" The officer that elected
Mrs. Motion was law-breaker and
coward. The Pullman company that
received her money and gave her
berth had the right to protect her. If
we are to choose between life, respect
and rights on the one hand and Tus-
kegee that will teach cringing sub
mission to wrong and Injustice in
order to exist in the world, we choose
the former. Between Major Motion
and his courageous wife in this in
stance there is no real choice Fair
minded men and women of all races
sympathize with and stand by Mrs.
Notion. If Tuskegee is to be con-
tlnued as a mill to turn out colored
boys and girls who are spineless and
towards when their civil rights are at
| stake, the sooner it goes to the wall
the better it will be for all concerned.
Great buildings, imposing machinery
beautiful grounds and varied indus
tries amount to 1aught when the real
thing, MANHOOD, is crushed out
Major Motion should understand now
that Tuskegee is nations school.
The millions now being sought for
from all races should remain in hid
ing If the inhuman and brutal prac-
tees of the worst element of the
South are to determine it's policy. If
the best whites of the South acquiesce
in it, then we say move Tuskegee
where it can develop character and
MANHOOD. The "jim-crow" car
must be fought and the time is oppor
tune to fight when one of the fore
most women of the land has been so
shamelessly Inundated and appar-
emily foresaken by her strong de-
fender. Major Motions task is a diff
ficult one, but let him start right. If
the advice given his brother and wife
is characteristic of what he will give
students, we quake and tremble for
colored boys and girls.
(REV.) VIM. A. BOYD,
Rochester, N. Y.