Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-08-11
MIR. JOHNSON'S REMARKS.

before Mr.. Wilson.
MIR. JOHNSON'S REMARKS.
The remarks of Mr.. johnson in adj
dressing Secretary Tumulty were as
follows:
I'VE, the Committee of the Negro S.
lent Protest Parade. in which 10000
coIorcd men, women and children
LOOK part last Saturday in New York,
come to present to you and through
you to the President and Congress-
a petition for redress Of certain rriey-
ancos. We come representing not ONLY
the Negro Silent Protest Parade, but
me colCrcd people of Greater New
! ork, ana the sentiments and inspir;.
IONS and sorrows, too, of the entire
negro population Of tho United States
:. we como representing twelve mil
iloh citizens whose devotion and Low.
ATTY TO the nation have never been
Observation-Disclosures million citizcrs
"ho' when the present storm broke
ever our land. took their unqualified
STAND side by side with the original
american stocks that landed at ply
"'oulh ROCK and at jamestown.
we ieel That in coming to YOU. ",
arc we'll within our rights-the right
gwen ny birth, the right given by Ia
n"r, me right given by loyalty. w
'ec'' inrther, that it is especially fl.
'inE mat we come at this time whc
"nc'i inc heart or the nation is so
uccplS 'ouchcd ~ the cause OF democ.
racy and humanity.
I'VE come asking that ,bn pro,;1,,,
use his great powers to have granted
some rplcncy fn I,
set lorth III our petition, and we como
further. praying that the President
may find 1t IN his heart to sneak soma
public word that will give hone and
courage to our people, thus using bis
great personal and moral infiuenc, In
our behalf. -; :"
Anu TO these ends, have tie hon
or to read and respectfully present
the following petition.
70 the President and Congress cc
the United States.
we, the Committee of the Negro 81
lent Protest Parade. representing In
cClorcd people OF Greater Now Yor
ana the sentiment or the people ff
NoSro descent throughout this land
ooiiie 10 YOU to present Il petition for
redress OF grievances.
Ill the last thirty-one wears oS67
-
coiored men and women have been
iyhched by mobs without trial. Less
IMAM hait a dozen persons out of tina
'ens OF thousands involved have ro.
cct'ea any punishment whatsoever for
,hcse crimes and not single one has
nocH punlShed FOR murder In addi-
tlon TO this mQbs have harried and
murdered colored citizens time and
Time again with impunity, culminat
ing III the latest atrocity at East &.
Louis where nearly hundred ipno.
cent Woodworking citizens were done
|" death il broad daylight for seeking
TO earn an honest LIVING.
we believe that this spirit Of law
ieSsheSs Is doing untold injury to orr
conntry and we submit that tho 70.
cora proves that the States are oithor
unwilling or unable TO put down lvnch.
ing and mob violnece.
we ask, therefore. that lynchinr
ana mob violence be made national
crime punished by The laws ,f tho
ohlted States INA that this be done
ny Federal enactment, or + nocns.
Snrs: ~ Constitutional Amendment
we DellcVe that there can be found in;
recent legislation abundant prcrdont
10: action or this sort, ana whether
rue or "o:. ~ nation that
;,eeks 10 night the battle Of ciyiliZa.ic,r
van ahord to march in blood-smeared
garments. ="
we ask, therefore, immediate ac-
Lloh by the Congress- and the prcsi.
oeht or the United States"
lolsned) REV. T.. y. CULLEN
Chairman.
JAMES WELDON JOHNSON.
Vice Chairman.
NV 'hafles ID. Martin, John r..
Nail, treasurer: Rev H. w no,,a,