Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1919-08-23

To the Supreme Council Of the
Five Great Powers, of the Allied and
Associated Nations, Mr.. George Glen
enccau, France: President Woodrow
Wilson, United States of America;
Hon. Lloyd George, British Empire;
NJ. Orlando. Italy; Baron Maxine,
Empire Of Japan.
Honorable SirS:
Greetings to the Nictors from the
National Equal Rights League Of the
u. S. Of ~.
In the namc of the Colorcd mil
lions Of America VIC address you in
this an Open Letter and Appeal, and
for the cause Of World Democracy
and Permanent World Peace.
From the official records Of the
Congress Of the u. s. Of America the
House Of Representatives Published
in the Congressional Record June %
1918 we quote governmental condi
lions for 100000. Americans.
First: We arc the victims of civil
prescription, socially because OF
race and color in three-fourths Of the
States and in the National Capital
(Fcdcral tcrritoryD barred from
places Of public accommodation, re
creation and resort; yes, from places
within Government buildings.
Second: We are the victims of
class distinctions based solely on our
race and color in public carriers in
one-third of the States, segregated
even when passengers in interstate
travel and with the railroad under
the control of the Federal Govern
mcnt.
Third: We are the victims of caste
Il
military and naval schools and in Off
Ger schools with other citizens sole
~ on the basis Of race and color, and
in the navy itself, except i'll the ser
vice below deck.
Fourth: We are the victims OF pro-
scriptiVe discrimination based on
our race and color, in the executive
department Of the Federal Govern.
ment, refused employment in many
after appointment by the civil service
segregated ut work in the appoint.
ments of health and comfort.
Fifth: We are the victims of 20
litical prescription in one third of the
States, even in the election Of Fed
eral officials in violation of Federal
Constitution, both indirectly by con
grcssional representation based on
intimidation trickcry, or State sta
tutcs and constitutions.
Sixth: We are the victims in many
States, MS a consequence of the fore
going civil and political prescription
of imposition, robbery, ravishing,
mob violence, mudcr and massacre,
because of our race and color, denied
the protection of police, shcrins; dc
III w ~
ed impotcnt to protect our daughters
wives and mothers from violation by
white mon or murder by the mob.
All these conditions thus declared
by the National Colorcd Liberty Con
grcss assembled at Washington and
presented to the Congress by the pres
cnt speaker of the House of Repre-
scntativcs are still facts.
We quote further from the same
Record "Our President Woodrow Viii
son now the moral leader and spokcs
man Of the Allie Nations who are
resisting German aggression having
Officially declared that our country
has entered the fight for the purpose
OF dcmocratiZing the nations Of the
world and libcrating free peoples
everywhere. that we are embarked
upon ''an enterprise which is to re
lease the spirits of the world from
bondage that we are Fighting for
the right Of those who submit to an
thority to have voice in their own
governtmcnt" to "make the world at
least free for security for life and
lbctry" to make the world safe for
democracy"
To this add President Wilson's
message to his country when the war
was won:
The armistice as signed this morn
ing. Everything for which America
fought has been accomplished. 1t
will now be our fortunate duty to
assist by example, by sober friendly
counsel and by material aid in the
establishment Of just democracy
throughout the world-with his word
to the French nation in January, 1919
"America in coming into this war
thought that all the world had now
become conscious that there was
Single Cause Of Justice and Of Liber
IT, for men Of every kind and place.
Add also the words in the message
Of congratulation to President Wilson
on the Victory by the Prime Minister
of Great Britain.
II feel sure that at the peace con
ference we shall he able to cooperate
faithfully to promote the reign OF
peace, within liberty and true demo
cracy throughout the World"
Then add the noble words Of the
Premier Of France Monsieur Clcmen
ccau. to President Wilson on Memoir
ial day for the dead soldiers:
'Thosc sons OF America who sue
cnmhed in onr common battle for
Justice and fought for right rcposc
in our fields where the Liberty OF
the World was Won"
Oh. Honorable Observation-Disclosures OF
en- Agreement for Democracy fo; all
shut not your eyes to this awful Dis
grace OF Democracy"
honorable Commissioners OF Per
Dntnal Peace imagine not that with
such scandal on Humanity untouched