Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-11-20
isN- .SS%Ses .iAsus<rn1
From Brazil.
Bahia, Brazil,
June >, 1926.

June ., ISzo.
Mr.. John Mitchell. Jr.,
Richmond, Va, u. S. "A.
My dear Sir:
Regardless OF what some people
think or say, the greatest surety for
the individual lies in that OF the
masses; and, by serving the masses
one profits by the classes. The
government lives from taxes and
tariffs and 1t is only when the PEG
pie are generally prosperous that
the government is at it's best. The
same may be said about the individ-
ual; 1t is only when his neighbors
are prosperous that his own chances
and happiness are most certain and
convenient. The store keeper and
the landlord fare better when pros
perity sabounds in all the classes and
with all the people.
Education has proven to be second
only to labor itself in value. A
person without education or interest
IS not liable to read a newspaper.
etc.; and those who read, mostly
read for a purpose; these purposes
vary.
But It is quite safe to say that the
paper that satisfies the interest OF
its readers best will get their first
support. The colored Journalist,
like all other specialists. must take
this point into consideration. The
colOred journalists write altogether
too alphabetically and light-hearted-
1y about the race they are supposed
to give information to and about;
when that same race and it's inter-
ests are both In a most distressing
condition. This explains how the
Negroes are so sadly neglected of
the benefits that society owes them.
This is how they can be whipped
and even killed. in the center OF a
large community; and beyond the
bounds OF that neighborhood nothing
is ever heard of 1t. And the culprit
walks about scot free to await the
next victim. Those who know
about it become afraid OF him. And
he. hearing about this. becomes less
cautious in his brutality: only for
selfish purposes he makes friends
with those who are more apt to
challenge his braggadocio. Thus he
and his friends do as they please,
until somebody has courage enough
to expose them. But IL a poor un-
protected person attempts this ex-
posture he and all OF his belongings
are In danger of a similar fate.
Now these things have seen
right near you. or to where you are.
And neither the Negro preachers,
teachers nor papers would dare to
make it known to the public And
IL stranger made too much fuss
about 1t some of these very same
towards would go and tell the gang
leaders so as to get their favor in
the future.
But no one makes serious inquiries
about the happiness or unhappiness
OF the colored people, to give it pub
LEGATION in other parts. And, say.
do not think that only other Ne
groes want to know about these
things; because j will tell you now.
that. other people are more anxious
to know than the best Negroes know
how to be. 1t is for various rea-
sons that the leading people of the
country and of the world want peace
and progress among the citizens OF
every quartey. These people may
not be government officials but
their influence sometimes exceeds
that of mere government official.
mus l plead for a more definite
publication upon the general condi-
tions of colored people everywhere, ,
compared with those of other free
people But the one that reports
should be able to understand what
the differences are. If the publica- /,
tons can not conveniently be done
too near the spot; then let it be
done at a remote distance from the !
spot. But, at any rate. let 1t be-
done. And this will lift the colored
people faster than any other way. !,
The truth will free them! There .
is certain gang or group whom
] hope to reach in an offhanded way.
Because these think that they are
beyond all earthly powers, they have 4.
blocked many efforts and dote upon .
their efficiency to keep it up; but
the light being turned upon the con-
ditions of Negroes, in certain parts
of the world. will cause inquiries
into those of others. And besides
this, such is the only way to make
the colored press. in the u. S. A.
respected. This may seem like non
sense to you, but 1T is just this kind
OF nonsense that makes the water
run from the spring. And it was
mon this kind of work that the late
T"hn j.. Bruce differed with me, and
fought to hurt me.
But tell YOU I am trying to help
the weak without killing the strong
IT seems that certain Americans are
beginning TO feel alarmed about the
safety of the Anglo-Saxon domino
ton. But we here. are concerned
more about the domination Of right
and equity: whether by the Anglo
Savons or bv the Zoo1oos OF Africa
OF course. we do not forget what
good the Anglo-Saxons have done:
Hn1 nrav that thev viii continue.
Pvt il not; up steps the next best
fellow.
AS ever yours for equity and
progress. -