Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1924-04-05

is entitled to greatness? Popularity
is a favorable asset. but not essen
tial. The Savior. the matches.
Great One. was not a popular
being in His day. Says the proph-
ct, "He was despised and rejected
of men" Such is it with many OF
our great characters. Ones being
widely known is not necessarily
claimed as great. Thousands of
people know Jack Johnson and
Mamie Smith, who Will die ig-
norant of the fact that the scientist
DR.. Carver, ever lived.
Similarly greatness cannot be de-
termined by single acts, though strik-
ing. Should our Greatest" be determ-
ined by few or by the separate opln-
ions of millions? 1t would be a stark
prejudice to say that the masses would
make a gross error were it possible to
obtain their just choice.
A ballot taken from hundred thous
and persons, would doubtless, offer d
cross-section of choices, considerably
confused andy perhaps, unjust to truth.
However, in order to balance opinion
the Negro Youth Movement secured
the services of people from different
schools of thought and from both sex
es. Il was interesting to note that
males regarded men almost exclusively
as forming the ten greatest. WIFI Wo-
men larger percent OF their sex were
included among the mythical Ten. The
choice of Americas Ten Greatest Ne
groes made by Mrs. Mary Church 1'e:-
rell might be taken as an indication OF
the feminine attitude. This great schol
ar, thinker, and orator, whose choice
and reasons are listed below, says:
Here is list of ten colored people
worthy of mention. Whether they are
the ten greatest will depend uIon each
ones point of view.
/. Crispus Attucks-patriot.
g. Phyllis Wheatley-First African
woman to prove the intellectual heights
70 which it is possible for her sex and
her race to attain.
s. Frederick Douglass, The first'man
of African descent to show he could
measure arms successfully with mem
bers of other races. despite the handl-
caps. AS an author, orator and public
list, ne had few equals and no superiors
Alb. X. Bruce-As United States Sen
stor and Registrar of the U. S. Treas
ury, he showed his integrity, and intel
ligent manner in which he performed
his duties, reflected credit upon MS
faco.
5. Nine. @. j. Walker-Successfui
business woman. Established a large
and lucrative enterprise. employing
hundreds of her own race.
6. George w. Carver, F. R. S.-This
scientist has attracted the attention of
the world by the brilliancy and success
of his experiments and achievements.
z. Roland Hayes-He so successfully.
combatted race prejudice by his wond-
erful voice that he is now engaged by
the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He s
regarded here and abroad as one of the
greatest tenors Of the day.
s. Lucy Laney-Struggling against
tremendous odds she secured an educa
ton, then with the small savings from
her teaching position established a
school in farm house in Augusta, Ga.
Later the institution was named Haines
Normal and Industrial School in hon
or of friend who came to her aid.
8. P. B. S. Pinchback-Governor OF
Louisiana for several days, he being
the only Negro who has been governor
of State in this country. How much
that amounts to is matter of taste.
10. Robert Heberton Terrell-Judge
of Municipal Court in District of Colun
- the past twenty-five years. He
was first appointed by President Theo-
dore Roosevelt and has been reap
pointed by every President since that
time He was reappointed twice under
a Democratic administration, because
of the fact citizens and members of
Bar Association urged his remaining
on the bench. He is the only colored
Judge in the United States.
Mrs Terrell was among the first to
nominate the late Madam G. ]. Walker
who has been selected as one of the
Ten. Madam Walker is the greatest
single exponent of business achieve
ment Of the race An orphan at seven
widow at twenty with child to sup
port she battled her way to fortune and
broad service After her discovery Of a
treatment for the hair, she travelled
back and forth between Pittsburgh and
Denver, finally settling in Indianap-
oils where her great work was consura
mated. She grew with her business.
took commercial courses and develop
ed into a well informed business wo-
man. she was character who laugh