Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1920-05-08

My Dear Editor.--You and your
stan, likcwiso have my best wishes
for happy new year. And | hope that
more will be accomplished this ycal
fer the colored people, than ever be.
fore in the same period Because the
needs of the Colorcd people of the
world are far i'll excess; Of the imagi
nations Of some Of Their best thinkers.
Those Of direct dcccndcntS of the
black race arc tho worst Off Oh! If I
could only make Il few of the leading
men of said race see their people as
others sec them. How | wish l could
describe them to themselves, in Il way
that their own disgust and indigna
tion might be correctly aroused
against tho languid stupor into which
they have permitted themselves to
drift. The sad, sad conditions arc
alarming to Il person Of q most com
mon intelligence. Yet the men who de
rive some sort OF recognition from
other races, so easily forget Now.
MIR. Editor. did YOU ever sec a good
and valuable animal spoiled throug,.
bad management? Did YOU ever see
ana notice tho sad plight of Il horse
~ mule which had been accustomed
To he'ng beaten over the head? Din
you ever soc an animal sadly neglect
ed through sheer laziness on the part
T those who were so charged with
its Keeping? Did you ever see Il team
Of badly groomcd animals. badly harm
csscd and hooked to Il wagon great
L. overloaded, while il had run
down from neglect ard yet neglected
having tho aXlcs creased and the
wheels rightCd? W,h all OF these
kandicaps the fool of driver with
Il club in hand walking from side to
side Of this poor team, which is be-
ing forced to climb bad slope over
a road which is in bad condition,
beating these poor animals in the
ribs with all Of tho strength that
such Il one can summon for his bru
tally? These arc some very faint
comparisons with tho present condi-
lions OF the race in question.
The most cruel, hidruus drivers arc
D, ople of their own race. The inimical
white people generally and most ma,
unal recommend the most cruel
traitors of this people with all or
their raVing ignOranIc, TO drive their
follow men. | am now reminded OF
novel which D.. read aD.tu % years
ago Of a "Fathor Hanson" written
by Harriet Bcachor Steve. who did
so much for the cause Of the Nc2Cocf
II tho United States about GO years
ago, by the use Of her pen.
Father Hanson, WAS certainly
hero in 50 far NJ his intelligence
went. He was honest to a fault, which
honesty, net only cost him great per
sonal Affections; but the sacrifice OF
tHogc faithful colorcd people who
lost all in their climb obedience 10
lis commands. II WAS only in the lat
ter extreme of his years that he be
gan to realize the harm he had done
lis own people. He rallied and tried
to make good, after his eyes had been
opened by the, trcachcry practiccd
against his own person on Il certain
Wy wage frcm Louisville, Ky, to New
Orleans, La, when he saw some OF
those who had so blindly obeyed
Kim in by gone years now nearing
their graves from the harsh suffer
ing which they received on the cot
ton farms Of Louisiana. Yes, "Father
Hanson" discovered his mistake
while yet in life, and not only made
his escape from the PREACHER Gus
schemes Of an evil designing master
and Il false friend for whom he had
already done so much but he sue
cccded in rescuing many others OF
his companions and made splendid
record in Canada. etc; before he died.
Just az I suppose that Booker II.
Washington would have done had he
received the awakening shock while
he yet lived. But he did not get it
So well and good for Mr.. Hanson as
probably with many others. But there
are some who will probably only
awaken in the. other world. And as
the biblical Dives who lifted up his
eyes in hell and asked for small
drop Of water to cool his parching
tongue to he brought by LaZarous."
al their suffering in hell will not
repay for their sins: or the debt to
their race which they owe.
i S. MOORE.