Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-11-10


III the overthrow of the ordinance but
in misinterpretation of the Supreme
courts action by tho radical element
Of our white population.
It continues:
We have in Richmond, fortunately,
sensible Negro leaders who will under
stand that an ordinance, not q system
has been upset, and that what the city
may not be able to do by formal enact
mcnt 1t will be able, justly and fair
ly, to do by other means. Recognize
ing basic existing conditions as neces
sary, these N 'groes will restrain those
who may be tempted to Wow the act
ion Of the court as great race VIC
tory
We repeat the same language with
slight change of the wording. 1--WE
have In Richmond fortunately sensi-
bic white leaders who will under
stand that an ordinance, not a sys-
tenn, has been upset, and that what
| the city may not be able to do by
formal enactment it will be able
justly AMI fairly do by other mcnas
Recognizing basic existing conditions
as necessary, these white people will
restrain those who may be tempted to
view the action OF tho court as being
great race victory for the colored
people.
The News Leader says further:
nifE $500 ~
Race segregation is q fixed princi-
pie in the South. 1t rests not upon
prejudice but upon 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 ut
law, was indicated In yesterdays
opinion and Is recognized by our Ne
groes.
We cannot agree with our distingu
~ishaf'..,gnd able contemporary whom
1t declares that race segregation does
not have for It's basic cornerstone
race prejudice. We cannot agree eth
er when he says that racial segrega-
ton will persist and triumph. We be
lieve that segregation upon a 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 the world during
one decade or cycle Of years and in
another section during anothers
We arc witnessing change in Rus
sio, and another In Great Britain and
another in Turkey and still another
in Germany. 1t Is emphasized in
China. We concede that tho News
Leader is correct in it's conclusion
when it says.
II. so far as 1t 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 less congested living quarters.
Because race segregation Is a 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 amalgamation, the miscegenation
Of the races.
Separate residence OH separate
blocks in a city do not cure the evil.
We are so mixed up now that we can
rot tell (which from tother.' This
occurred before segregation ordinanc-
es were even suggested White fe.
males are living in the same residen-
ces with colored males, and colored fe-
males are living in the same residen--
ces with white males, the colored
folks, being Of course In the capacity
Of servants. So far as the prevention
Of the mixing of the races, the segre-
CATION plan is joke. We pray God
that white Virginians of the type Of
tho distinguished editor of the News
Leader will "cry aloud and spare not"
to the end that this species OF hum