Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-11-10
THE NEWS-LEADER'S COMMENT.

The Richmond, Va, News Leader
IN discussing the segregation ca. @
says:
Richmond had little race trouble
before it adopted the segregation ordi-
nance aud 1t will know how to pro
tcct Itself if our ordinance like that
Of Louisville, be declared unconStitu-
tional. Our chief danger. in fact, lies
not III the overthrow of the ordinance
but in the misintcrprctation of the
Supreme courts action by the radical
element Of our Negro population.
We agree with our esteemed con-
temporary If it will also add:
Our chief danger, III fact, lies not
IL the overthrow Of the ordinance but
in a misinterpretation of the Supreme
courts action by the radical element
Of our white population.
Il continues:
We have In Richmond. fortunately,
sensible Negro leaders who will under
stand that an ordinance, not system
has been upset. and that what the city
may not be able to do by formal enact
mcnt it will be able. Justly and fair
ly, to do by other means. Recognize
ing basic existing conditions az ncces
sary, these n 'grocs will restrain those
who may be tempted to view the act
ion Of the court as great race VIC
tory.
We repeat the same language with
a slight change Of 'hc wording. 1--WE
have in Richmond. fortunately scnsi-
bic white leaders who will under
stand that an ordinance, not a sys-
tenn. has been upset, and that what
the city may not he able to do by
formal enactment 1t will be able
justly an" fairly do by other mcnas
Recognizing basic existing conditions
as necessary, these white people will
restrain these who may be tempted to
view the action Of the court rs being
a great race victory for the colorcd
people.
The News Leader says further:
Race segregation is o fixed princi-
pie in the South. 1t rests not upon
prejudice but upon Il correct under
standing Of our peculiar problems. Be
ing racial, 1t will persist and will
triumph. In SO far as 1t relates to the
separation of the races in trains and
street cars. 1t Is we'll established at
law, was vindicatcd in yesterdays
opinion and Is recognized by our Ne
groes.
We cannot agree with our dsstingu
is&a7.>.c.nd able contemporary when
1t declares that race segregation does
not have for its basic cornerstone
race prejudice. We cannot agree eth
er when he says that racial scgrega-
ton will persist and triumph. We be
lievo that segregation upon basis of
class and condition will persist and
triumph. but not otherwise History
In all ages goes to prove that caste or
race prejudice is temporary, existing
in one section Of tho world during
one decade or cycle of years and in
another section during another.
We arc witnessing change in Rus
sio, and another III Great Britain and
another in Turkey and still another
IN Germany. 1t is emphasized in
China. We concede that the News
Leader is correct in its conclusion
when it says.
II. so far as it relates to residential
segregation, this principle can be main
tanned by custom, if not by law, AID
under conditions which should and
will give our Negroes more adequate
and loss congestei living quarters.
Because race segregation Is fixed
principle does not imply that it is fix
ed right principle. We do not expect
to see any material change over the
old order OF things, existent before
the segregation ordinance went into
effect. The better class of colored
people do not desire to live in the
midst OF the better class OF white peo
pie or the other class either. The
social surroundings are not congenial
and for that reason they prefer to
live and mate with their own color
The curse Of the Southland has been
tho anla loo ial,