Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1924-05-17
KELLY MILLER STRIKES BACK

kElJlIl MtLlACh Olhs0
Under the caption of "The Criticism
of the Crisis" Dean Kelly Miller oil
Howard University replied to the crltl-
cisms of his organization, known as
the Sanhedrin and in so doing remains
in the upper atmosphere Of legitimate
discussion. He says:
!
lust as had finished inditins the
last sentence, some one called my at
tention to the May issue OF the Crlsls
which contains a pointed criticism VI
the Sanhedrin by the learned and bril-
liant editor. AS usual the opinion
breathes an aid of finality for which
the learned doctor is famous. He belit-
ties the movement because it did NOT
indulge in vacous denunciation ana
sonorous pronouncements on housing,
intermarriage, union labor and the ku
Klux Khan. One wonders if the learn
ed editor has lost his grip on domestic
conditions during his brief SoJourn
abroad. While chasing the chimera OF
the Pan African Conference and func
tioning for the moment as Envoy Ex-
ira Ordinary in the Court of Monrovia,
perhaps the common place procedure
of the Negro Sanhedrin seemed prosalc
and tame. Garvey in his robes as En-,
peror of Africa and Du Bots arrayeo
in the glamour and glory of ambassa'
dorial splendor form indeed interest
ing spectacles for the American Negro
to look at. We all desire the ultimate
redemption of Africa albeit the pro-
grams of Garvey and Dubois may seem
equally impractical and bizarre.
What can be said of this admirable
dissection of the two leaders? In ass0-
ciating Du Bots with Carney, upon 8
basis Of absolute equality, he has made
a "home thrust at the brilliant editor
of the Crisis. The satire is cauStl' and
the irony biting" He continues:
DR.. Du Bots complains that the San
hedrin brought on new ideas in the
treatment of well-known evils. This
was far from the purpose of the pro-
motors. 1t might be said in passing
that If my good friend, the editor OF
the Crisis has any new ideas on the
topics mentioned in his criticism, he
very studiously hides them from the
readers of his journal. The aim of tne
Sanhedrin is not to find new nOstrums
for segregation or any specific racial
evil. The n. A. A. c. p the Equal
Rights League, the Race Conference,
and other civil rights organizations are
devoted to this task. The Sanhedrin
proposes to federate and focus the
whole machinery Of race agencies up
on the point of greatest pressure for
the moment. 1t will work in, through
and by and any existing organization
to accomplish the end desired. The
basis has been laid for the effective CO.
operation of agencies of the widest
variety Of type upon all problems and
issues which are race pride and race
deep.
The above defines with admirable
correctness the definite scope and pur.
pose of the Sanhedrin and disavows
any purpose or intention to supercede
anw existing organizations. DR..
Miller concludes his remarks with a
telling rebuke, coupled with biting"
sarcasm, when he says:
1t is deeply to e regretted that so
influential journal as the Crisis
should place itself in the negative col
umn upon movement that is all but
universally deemed potential of the
largest racial good. 1t is interesting
to note, however. that this is the de-
clared opinion of DR.. W. e. Du Bots,
and does not pretend to commit the
Crisis beyond the range Of his person
al authority. Let it also be hoped thai
the editor will change his opinion on
the revelation of new light or in plac-
ing himself in more friendly and fav
orable attitude to the light already re-
vealed.
1t is unfortunate that these disagree
ments should exist among our own dis
tinguished leaders. We indulge in the
hope that this kind of discussion will
cease and in the language of Gen. u. S.
Grant, we may all join in saying, Let
us have peace"