Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1921-02-26

tho rcsucitation of Africa, as we'll as
to afford a channel for Ghe develop.
mcnt Of Negro trade over the world
Negro newspapers hcaped scorn upon
his original outline, which he admits
was faulty enough. Pho initial scheme
was to raise the money by donations
plan which failed in short orde-.
There was Allegation following tho
collapse through which, however, Gar
Vcy came unscathcd. There was Il
libel suit. too which resulted in vindi.
cation and four cent judgment for
Carney. When the failure OF the
first scheme was apparent, Il council
of no inconsderablc influencc-for
Garvcyism had by this time spread
afnr and seemed ut times, to feed fam
ously on the opposition to it-was
held with the result that the Black
Star Line was Incorporated with a
capitalization Of $4,000. 900 and 1000
OG0 shares far sale solely among Ne.
groes OF the world were issued. Tho
latter scheme, OF course, more practi
Cal than the first, might have succeed
Ell in the normal course of t.;cnts, but
Just prior to the formal announce.
mcnt OF the change an ATTEMPT WAS
made to kill Garvey in his Harlem
office. a Negro crank stole into his
editorial and EMPIRICAL sanctum md
Tired four bullets into him, none, how
ever. striking a vital spot. He was bad
w wounded and crippled in one log
for life, hut still in bandagcs and on
crutches he made his way to the hall
where the Balck Sfar Line meeting
was beginning It's doubtful course. Ap
pnaring unexpectedly before the gath
ering Reorganization OF their wounded
leader brought forth frenzied roar
"f cMrering and jubillation and from
that moment the project Of q Negro
snper-governmcnt. the redemption of
Africa. the financing and building Of
the Black Star Line and all tho rest
of the long and ambitious programme
seemed In every sense go. From
that moment that enterprise has been
as one instilled with new life. BY
martyrs, indeed is the world made.
From that diy IN the autumn OF
1913 until the first day Of last Aug
ust the energies OF an ever increasing
personnel OF Negro leaders were d..
rected toward formation Of more
branches OF the U. N. I. A., over the
world and the recruiting OF Negroes
as members, with the ultimate hepo
that sufficient enrolment would be OBJ
tanned to make n worldwide conven-
ton to act uron the plans for the flu
tare or the race. III and when called,
truly representative. Within IL little
moro than two years this organizu-
Ion obtHined more than three mil.
non raid members IN virtually eve.y
city and state in the Union, and colo.
ny and country abroad; since the
August convention the membership
has neared the four million mark. AS
proof of the popularity of his pro-
grammc, Carney takes pride in cit
ing the fact that in eight years Of or
g"nizcd activity on the part of the
Motion and Du Bois bodies they have
gathered together only eigh hundred
thousand Negroes.
Feeling that their membership war
rented action on behalf Of tho entire
race. arrangements were put in mot
ION in She summer for the calling Of
the convention before which Garve>
and his cabinet would lay their fin.
al plans and seek tho mandate for
putting them into execution. Every
branch throughout the world elected
de'egHtes and from Abyssinia, Liber
IN, Australia, South and Central
america Europe. Canada, Haiti. On.
Da. ana all the islands OF the West
indtes and from virtually every
large city and Negro-populated stote
IN the Union they came 5000 strong
TO present their grievances. advance
thair recommendations, participate
IN the drafting Of their bill of riebts
ana declaration Of independence, and
11S'Y. moot important OF all, to herr
Marcus Garvey, the new leader and
looi or their race, tell them in his
own words his idea OF the DESTINY of
all Negro peoples. On Aueust a1st
TT tne close OF the convention, there
was issued 10 the world q Declaration
OF negro Rights and Constitution az
Nesro LIBERTY which proclaimed +bon
"nu th~reafter the Neero's political.
'Nc'ai' economic and religious eouoli.
" with. and independence OF. the
"hHe and other races and set IN mo.
ton the forces deemed necessary FOR
ire establishment OF Negro s,per.
government Of the world. It was n
e""at day In TIE history Of tho No.
gro race. 1t was tho greatest day IN
the life of Marcus Carney. WY "a