Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1919-12-27
Of the state committee,

mendation Of the state committee,
but permitting All appeal to tho
national committee whenever a state
committee refused charter. This
provision was given to the New York
member of the committee on consti-
tuition, but when he presented 1t to
the committee. the southern members
begged that the question be not
brought up on tho floor Of the con.
ventioh, and promised that II tho
clause was not included, they would
drop the word caucasian" from
their state constitutions, and would
admit all colored posts on the same
terms as white posts.
They said that they were anxious
to do the right thing, but that IL
tho question became an issue before
the convention, they would be forced
by illiberal opinion at home to take
stand In opposition to their own
desires. Tho member of the com.
mittee from Kentucky stated that he
regarded these promises as sacred,
and that IL they were not adhered
to, he would denounce the southern
members ut the next annual conven-
ton. ami would himself move to
have the provision placed in the
constitution. AS n result OF these
promises, the northern members OF
tho committee refrained from urging
tho inclusion of this clause.
The friends Of the Negro were in
quandary. Here was n way Of
winning rights, and yet avoiding
controversy,-of obtaining the re-
suits they longed for, and yet shield
ing the colored as we'll as white
delegates from the bitterness of q
race clash. Hero, they were told,
was craftsmanship" and the stout
est champions of the cause were
almost inclined to accept it as such.
Action was deferred by innumcra-
Bile conferences with southern and
northern delegates, by rumors and
further promises, and all seemed
we'll until the chairman OF the
Alabama delegation frankly stated
that the other southern delegates had
no authority to bind him and that
he could make no promises for the
sttote OF Alabama.
Then nothing but battle was pos.
sfblc: but, the delay proved to be
fatal. The constitution was pre-
sontcd to an over-wprked convention
at the tailehd Of the three-day
session, and When the motion to
adopt it in its entirety was made,
the whole convention, led by n
southern claque. roarod "Question"
so loudly that nothing else could be
heard. Major Spingarn and others
shouted for recognition. over and
over again, at the top OF their lungs
but their voices were drowned in
what seemed a pre-arranged disorder
and the motion was passed with a
roar and without discussion. The
South had again won by promises.
intrigue, and legal chicanery.
But something has been really
gained, after all. There were in the
convention real friends OF the Negro,
who still believed that by discussion
by conference, by mutual promise
is called craftsmanship some
thing in favor OF the colored soldier
could be won from the more liberal
representatives OF the South. They
have learned their lesson, and know
better now. They are now prepared
to fight for recognition Of tho rights
OF the colored soldier to the end
and In the only possible way,--by
organization. by agitation, and by a
showdown Of votes.
Every soldier who is interested In
this fight, every group that has q
grievance on this score, every post
that wishes to aid in the struggle for
justice, should communicate immed-
lately with J. f. Spingarn. President
of the Armenia Post Of the American
Legion, Armenia, N. Y. The fight to
make the American Legion stand for
100 per cent. Amercanism instead OF
80 per cent. Americanism must be
started right now.
fThe Criefa Christmas. 1871