Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1922-05-27
a WORD ABOUT LEADERSHIP,

Just now. the political 8iLlation as
it affects the colored pt oplc of The coun
try rests i'll the hands Of certain politi-.
cal leaders, who are handling the deli
cate questions from thoir viewpoint.
1t is difficult to name all, who are di.
rcctly involved, but we are risking tho
naming of some of them and statin,,
their positions from our viewpoint. IN
the New England States in general and
specifically in Boston, Massachusetts,
we have Editor William Monroe Trot.
ter Of the Guardian. He is an uncom-
promising advocate Of tire securing tor
citizens Of color all Of their rights ana
privileges.
lie does not recognize existing contii
tons. Ho is in favor Of tho law "as It
is writT. He can see no racial handi.
caps. He believes the Constitution OF
the United States means what 1t says
and the thought Of color is far remoy.
ed from his mind. A compromise Is not
considered by him. He wants the whole
bog or none. He wants all Of his
rights or he will accept none with com
promising conditions attached. He
has large number Of what may be
termed fanatical followers, who take
the same view Of the situation and who
prefer TO die fighting for rights denie.l
than to Give in clover with funda.
mental principles nullified. In strict
accord with this view of the situation,
hut far more diplomatic is Editor
John q. Adams of the st. Paul, Minno
sofa Appeal.
He recognizes the fact only that he
is an American citizen and as such is
entitled to all Of the rights ana privil-
eyes of any other citizen. He does not
recognize racial Determinations or
classes OH the part Of white folks or of
the black folks. He does not recognize
or accept Africa as his home. Tho
United States Of America Is COOL
enough for him and until he gets all
OF his rights, he will ';attis on to "the
end Of the chapter"
IheH comes Charles w. Anderson of
New York. A citizen Of color, who IN,
not championed racial rights and priv
ileges, but who has succeeded in hay
ing accorded to him despite his color
all of the rights and privileges of a
white man. He has done this by a
charming personality and by the exer.
else OF peculiar form Of political acu.
men that has amazed not only colored
mon, but white ones us we'll. Tho
white folks In his section do not feel
any embarrassment In naming him in
connection with any public function
and If tho politicians had their way,
he could be named for Lieutenant Gov.
ernor Of Now York State.
Just where he Is now with the Hard.
ing Administration is tho interesting
question. He appears to be "lost in the
Wilderness, so far as public appoint.
ment Is concerned. It begins to look
as though New York State will have to
take care of him. His elevation to
high office would not offend the white
Republican leaders and It would cause
favorable comment on the part Of tho
vast number Of colored people through
out the country. But We failed to com
ment upon Hon. Charles w. Anderson
upon racial questions. We had no need
so TO do. His actions and his successes
along these lines do the talking for
him.
III ONO, we have peculiar condi.
ton. We do not ourselves understand
1t. Hon. Harry G. Smith, editor of the
Cleveland, Ohio Gazette and father"
OF the Ohio Anti-lynching law now OF.
feCtiYely upon the at otuta bool, 90 Aha