The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1919-09-27
LAWYER A. S. WELLS
ON THE RACE QUESTION
Let the Facts Be Known.

There seems to be a general dis
position on the part Of self-consti-
tuted Negro leaders to misrepresent
and misinterpret the position of a
large majority of our people, repre-
senting the best thought among the
race, abroad to the end that all the
facts may be known, and that no
person or association of persons and
the press of Texas. may not be mis-
guided and mislead, we ask the publi-
cation of the following:
Race Riots.
We challenge any man to point
to one single instance where a race
riot has been caused and occasioned
by black people.
We are among those who scout
the idea of Negroes melting a race
riot and we have every reason to be-
lieve that no race disturbance will
ever be precipitated by Negroes in
this state.
The Unrest.
We admit that there was, some .
weeks ago, an unusual unrest among
some of our people throughout the
state of Texas. We further concede
and admit the fact, that there existed
some apprehension among the white
people on the seriousness Of the re-
lation between the whites and blacks.
These conditions came about and
were the direct result of race riots
In actual progress in other sections
of this Country, and the black mans
fear that riot would be precipitated
at any time, any where These
things caused unrest among our peo-
pie. The unrest among the white
people was caused by the. alleged
buying Of arms by Negroes all over
Texas.
This general unrest has passed
and all good citizens feel relieved
of the strain; we all feel that moth
ing of a serious nature will happen
between the whites and black in
this state,
Are We Satisfied.
The Rev. l.. L. Campbell of Austin.
General Superintendent Of st. Johns
orphanage, takes the position that
the Negroes Of Texas are perfectly
contented and happy over their
plight in Texas.
In the first place, we desire to in
form the public that this divine is
in large measure a dependent
creature and the institution which
he represents is largely dependent
upon the voluntary contributions
from the liberal element of the
whites in this state for the sustain
ance and maintenance, and every
right thinking Negro can and does,
read between the lines. He is making
an herculean effort to capitalize his
institution at the expense Of the
race by giving the whites the wrong
impression as to to the attitude of
the Colored people OF Texas, in that
he speaks for the whole race and
alleges that the Negroes are abso-
lutely satisfied with their present
condition. This expose and dictum
is calculated to, and will doubtless
serve his purpose. This position is
primafacie evidence with many white
people that Mr.. Campbell is a good
Negro; that he is the logical leadM !.
of the race; that he giving his peo-
pie wholesome advice and therefore,
is entitled to large donations and
contributions for his orphanage
We submit, however, that the white
people who are broad. liberal and
who stand for square deal, know
that no Negro can be satisfied with
and who stand for square deal,
know that no Negro can be salts
fed with condition as they now exist.
and they have information that we
are not satisfied from every con-
we are taxed without representation;
they know that all of the discrimina-
tory laws upon the statutes books are
construed strictly against the Negro
and most favorably to the whites;
there are flgrant and open violationan
of the jim-crow laws every day by
the whites with impunity and they
know that they will not be proseeut-
ed for the offense.
In many cities in Texas, we pay
park tax, public library tax and yet
we are denied all the park privileges
and not permitted to even borrow
a book from the public libraries. We
remember upon one occasion that
he Negro Welfare Board desired the
use of book upon the subject of
housing, ETC., and at although we had
a public library in our home town,
yet we were compelled to borrow
the book needed from the public
library of Kansas City, Mo. Can the
intelligent Negro be satisfied when
such conditions as these exist? We
think not. We believe that all white
persons of intelligence know that
we are not contented and happy UNI
der such environments.
All of our people, many of the
white and the press, fully realize,
that when one of the Negro race
makes such declaration OF general
satisfaction on our part, that there
Is evidently some Interior motive
prompting that person.
We believe in couselling our peo-
pie along the proper channel and
that we say to them: "Obey the law
and for all the wrongs perpetrated
against you, seek, your redress in
the Courts of the Country
In all matters respecting our GEM
aral welfare where there is no rene
1y at law, we say, '1et us contend
for our rights by creating a healthy