Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1921-02-12

to New York. Upon landing he
sought out Duse Mohameds friend,
with whom he discussed his ambitions
and his plans. However the reception
may be described, it was not warm,
FOR after consultation with a few 9TH
CT Negroes :tnd an expensive trip to
Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington
and farther south, Garvey returned to
jamaica rather downheartcd. He had
been told his idea would not do, his
plan would not go, that American Ne
groes, with all their grievances and
discriminau lions, would not follow such
Il will-o'the-wisp imagery as he would
have set before them, that they would
not be willing to trade their half-bad
status for one which gave scant prom
Use OF being anything but something
worse.
But Carney would not and did not
give up. He continued his newspaper
and likewise builded anew his reject
ed project. He did not doubt the sin
cerity OF his few but sufficiently con-
demnatory American critics, but after
lengthy bordering he came to the con
clusion that perhaps they did not real
~ know whereof they spoke. He began
to believe that once he could get to
the mass OF enlightened American Ne
Sro"S pnd eNpound direct to them his
belief n ana 'ans for the fulfilmcnt
or tho destiny Of their race, his enter
prise would he vindicatcd and his AM
hition realized. Then there came up
on him the feeling, which soon develop
ell into a conviction that perhaps the
leaders he had approached In America
were Jealous Of their own leadership
and afraid Of his probable popularity
In the event his proposition won tho
masses. That conviction, which he
later found to be true with a venge-
ance. only stcelcd him to attempt
another plunge.
In tho midst OF his preparations
Tor second trip to America. tho
World War started. That necessarily
delayed his plans. but by the delay
he gained a hundred fold. He was
not slow to sense the awakening Of
nnttonalisic and racial consciou cness
over the world. nor could he fail to
sec and feel what the Negroes part
III Americas share Of tho war would
do for the general development and
expansion Of the race. What was
true with the American Negro was
likewise true, though perhaps not so
markedly. with the b1ackman in
every country which raised vast arm
les. There were millions Of mon of
his race used in the course Of the
great conflict, and every Negro who
carried gun or wore uniform in
that struggle. he realized, would re
'urn home with new attitude toward
HIS FELLOW men OF other coIors. So, in
tent upon capitalizing this new spir-
IT and determined to join the issue
with the recognized leaders of Ameri
cen Negro opipion rs to tho desira.
Inn'v or his plan. Carney sailed to
ne" YORK for the second time in the
summer Of 1917.
upon his arrival in Harlem. Gar
Fey set forth slowly and cautiously TO
ada to his already plenishcd store OF
material with which to further huild
ara carry his plan to success. With
his general knowledge Of conditions
prevailing in every country wher,
Negroes are to be found, but reoliz.
ing that IRON support from the great
mass of enlightened American Ne.
froes depended his ultimate ach owe.
nent' Garvey made Il careful survey
or the entire American field prepare.
'ory to launching any, portion Of his
gigantic enterprise. His realization
fhat this time he must make the fight
stngle-handed led him to take cach
step only with the utmost care. For
the few who knew him from his prcv
lous quick trip soon showed signs OF
mn intent to make this visit even short
en-.