Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1921-10-01

contention. Itris time that some steps
should DO taken to put an end to this
scandal and to make the party as a live
organization with constituency Of vot
ing strength. Whether the policy adopt
cd by the administration will help 10
accomplish this result remains to be
lieen. At any rate 1t is up to the Negro
es of tho South to demonstrate their
ability and Willingness to assume tho
duties and obligations of citizenship by
seeking to qualify and exercise the
franchise.
Our contemporary appealed to the
facts. Arc those tho facts? Why should
tho Republicans want live, political
organization in tho South at the OK
pehso of the live. Fundamental princ,.
pes of the Party itself? 1t has l ma.
jority throughout the country. Was
this majority secured by comprom,s
Ing right principles? If it was, why
was Hon. Henry Lincoln Johnson seat
ad us Republican National Committee.
man from Getit;a and whv did The
ConventiQn Itself go on record I'm fay.
or of right principles? Why did not tho
attitude of Hon. Rutherford 3. Hayes
OF Ohio and Hon. William Howard
TAFT of the same State BALD up such
party as our good friend described ::
The AgJ we'll states that it is up t,
tho Negroes, but it is more I'D to the
Republican Administration at Wash
ington. Granting that there have beer
political abuses, was it right to, by ono
"fell swoop" sacrifice tho rights and
privileges of all OF the loyal white
and black Republicans Of the South.
land? Editor Fred r. Moore continues.
Ii the Virginia movement headed by
Mr.. Mitchell will do this, vol and
good. Let every Negro who can meet
the requirements or the law, pay his
poll tax, register and cast his vote.
This VIII demonstrate beyond dispute
that the Negro is not Indifferent to tho
duties and obligations Of citizenship
within the final result. Everything is
to be gained by facing the facts in the
case, and the facts show that the mc:c
appointment of n few individuals of tho
race to office will not get the race any
further in the struggle for the rights
OF citizenship.
IL there is any one to object to the
appointment Of colored leaders to
high Office. i should not come from
tho distinguished occupant of tho cdi,
toriul sanctum Of the New York Age,
who performed his duties with credit
to himself an1 20 the people, whom no
so ably represented. The Negro should
stand up for tho Negro and not against
him. We believe that tho standing Civ
en colored peon ie by tho recognition Of
their leaders moro than compcnsatcs
for tho minor positions, which they
fail TO obtain. Every servlle position
accepted by colorcd voters at the eN.
ponso Of tho higher ones lowers Tho
race proportionately IN the estimation
Of the white people Of this country and
the world at large.
We should set a premium upon rae
iai recognition OF our leaders. Tho
recognition Of Hon. Charles w. An.
ternational functions necessarily at
tracts attention to the people lie rep
rcsents. White people presume 'ogl-
cally THAT il no colorcd leaders hold
high Offices in this country, no color.
ID leaders are qualified to hoIi high
Offices. This doctrine OF many colo cd
people in servile positions in exchange
for a few people in high, commanding
positions is as dangerous to racial Us
pirations as pcstilence and famine.
The Now York Age concludes.
Tho time for empty words and pro
tests is past. Constructive action is
necessary in order to prove the fitness
or the race to take it's proper place III
the politics Of the country, regardless
OF section. In view Of the failure If
past policies in the South. The Age is
of the opinion THAT the policy outlin
cd on behalf Of the present administra
ton is entitled to fair trial and ell
enlargement by those most dloscly
We do not see it in that light. On
the other hand, we would change tho
Ages verbiage and language to read,
In view Of the failure of the pass
policies in the South by both Ropub.
lican and Democratic administrations
and the policy now being outlined is
identical with that pursued by Presi.
dent Woodrow Wilson, and Presidents
William Howard Taft, which was also
q failure, we are Of the opinion that
the policy suggested has already hal,
a fair trial and should DO abandoned
forthwith If not sooner.
What we need Is an observance OF
the statutes and an enforcement of