Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1922-04-01
EDITOR DAVIS CRITICISM.

AIRY genius Of the Atlanta, Georgia IN
dependent publishes in full our recent
comment on Hon. Henry Lincoln John
son and his relationship to the regular
Republican organization Of Georgia.
Under the caption of brother Mitch
cell does not know his case" he says:
In another column Of this issue We
Publish long editorial by John Mitch
ell, Jr., editor OF the Richmond Planet,
entitled, Henry Lincoln Johnson, in
which he undertakes to defend his
record without knowing the facts. In
fact, the editorial Is an attack OH tho
editor Of the Independent, but know
ing Brother Mitchnll's good intentions
rs we do, we will not accept 1t as such,
and as matter Of fairness and justice
to Mr.. Johnson. we publish Brother
.Mitchell's defense,
Brother Mitchell reminds us very
,EluLh Of the attorney who appeared III
court for his client and did not know
ibis cuse. Brother Mitchell is entirely
,e,orant Of the case he undertakes to
argue. If he knew the facts, he would
have kept as MUM rs Colonel Johnson
has. 1t is an error for a newspaper to
undertake to handle a matter 1t is
ignorant Of. If it ever becomes neces
sary for us to enlightcn Brother Mitch
ell he would be ashamed OF the defense
he tried to put up in the absence Of
the truth. but If he thinks his defense
will do our mutual friend any good, We
will publish it in the same columns
that we have criticised him in. We arc
fair and believe in manliness. We do
not cheat at cards; we lay our hand up
-on the table with face up and the 9TH
oer fellow must either pass or show
down. Brother Mitchell before you ap
pear as an attorney for another client.
study your case and learn the facts.
1t may be that all Editor Davis says
is true. We do not profess to know all
about tho political conditions in Geor"
GIN and we have no inside information
as to the happenings at the National
Republican Convention ut Chicago. We
have based the case upon the Informal
ton furnished by the Atlanta. Georgia
Independent and our personal observa-
tions Of conditions in Washington. We
have not heard Hon. Henry Lincoln
Johnson utter one word 'derogatory Of
the brainy Georgia editor or enter q
plea in his own behalf. If then Editor
Davis has withheld information and
the verdict has been rendered only ur
on such evidence as was at hand. who
Is to be blamed the editor Of tho
Planet or the editor Of the Independ-
ent?
But we have taken a more extended
view Of conditions and have based our
case upon broader grounds. Hon, Hen
ry Lincoln Johnson Is admittedly tho
spokesman for the regular Republican
'orgapiZat: OH of Georgia in national al.
fairs. AS to the legality Of his election,
there can be no question. He has been
subjected to repeated vicious attacks
by his associate and friend, based as
Editor Davis intimates upon inside in
formation of which inside information
the public. including the Republicans
OF Virginia have not been informed. Is
this fair? Is it just? Is it in keeping
with the open policy which this bril-,
liant Georgian proclaims in the langu,
age. which he has quoted?
1t seems to us that If the recognized
leader Of the Republicans Of Georgl,
has been guilty Of improper conduct
he should be called to the bar Of his
own party in Georgia and be given ~,
opportunity to defend himself. His
own party associates should pass
Judgment upon him and the attacks M
on him in that very influential journal
should cease. You cannot discredit the
leader OF tho regular Republican or
gan!zation Of Georgia in this name,
without weakening the organization il
self and without opening the way for
the regular Republican Party's disor
ganlzation. We now have the spectacle
Of rump Republican organization
backed by the distinguished occupant
OF the White House and the chairman
of the National Republican organiza
ton attacking the regular Republican
party organization in that State ant
the leading Republican journal in tn,
State attacking the leader Of the regll
lar Republican organization.
In order to continue the assaults III
on Henry Lincoln Johnson, he SHOULD
first be removed as the head Of tn,
regular Republican organization Al,
this removal should come after he ha
been found guilty Of betraying tn