Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1928-09-22
MIR. CHURCHS DRASTIC
COMMENT.

COMMENT.
We have read with much interest
tine reply of Hon. Robert r. Church
in response 10 the attack made upon
him through the columns OF that
widely read journal the Pittsburgh
Courier and while we regret much
this outburst, which can not do the
cause of RepubIicanism any good
among citizens of color, but which
may result in much harm, it would
not be out OF place to coolly consider
the statements of Mr.. Church and
tc dispassionately find out whether
or not there is any basis for MS
caustic criticisms. He said;
81 have seen the article in the
Courier. written 1 am informed by
Dr.. Emmett j. Scott, before the
Courier representative brought it 10
me. 1t is a document OF kind III
miliar to all who know the fine
African hand of it's industrious but
elusive author. For thirty years his
brick bats have been hurled from
behind the coat-tails of protector5+
Did Mr.. Scott write the article In
question and does that brilliant and
distinguished gentleman deny having
done SO? Did he make the miGtake
OF fomenting strife among the co.,
ored Republican leaders and did he
indulge in the pasutime Of firing up
ON Mr.. Church from behind
masked battery instead Of attacking
and criticizing him in the open? Mr.
Church believes that he did and so
sure is he of this that he INDUCES
in an outspoken criticism and de
nunciation of Mr.. Scott.
There is this difference. He says
what he has to say openly and above
board and makes no concealment Of
his identity for he gives his name.
He fights fairly and asks no favors.
This is commendable trait and we
are 10th to believe that the distin'
guished Texan, whom he so merci
lessly criticizes is chargeable with
a different method of warfare.
But Mr.. Church continues:
What DR.. Scott may think of me
or my reason for withdrawing from
the hand.wrought Committee" now
directing and distressing Mr. Hoov-
er's cause is without Importance and
will no.. I feel. supplant the record
] have made in an effort to advance
our lines on the political field.
have never held an office except
through election by the people. DR..
Scott never held an office at al,
and such positions as he has hlled
came from kind hearts unable TO
turu deaf ear to his cry.
"Whether DR., Scott continues TO
operate Howard University or inn
good DIR. Hawkins or frockcoat di-
plomatic receptions as Minister to
Haiti, is not the slightest concern 10
me My interest in the present sit
nat on is exactly my interest in Mr..
Hoover as our candidate and IN the
Republican party whose fortunes
have long been mine. | got OF the
enmmfttee. not because l had been
refused q leadership for which no
man can say 1 ever applied (and
which no man can bestow upon an
other) but because I could not In
conscience associate myself with po'
litical parasites and pretenders.
Mr.. Church says further:
To the charge that I am not
good follower I plead guilty If l am
asked to follow to the ballot box men
who have no ballot to cast and who
have rot the moral courage to At
terrpt TO cast one or cry out against
the crime Of Acknowledgement in
their States. MEN WHO FIGHT
DON'T FOLLOW THOSE WHO
rim. There is not a colored Re-
nnhI'can voter whom I would fail
TO follow or support IL called to his
Slo-dard. There is not colored
ncI.tical apoloeist ] would follow
no. oven az the request OF Mr..
Hno7>ar unIe4s he was leading
procession IN The public square. there
TO ~~oo'va +ha condemnation OF an
people
The above is an emphatic declar-
alton. 1t reminds US Of the ringing
utterances Of the Hon. Frederick
Douelass. Hon. John Mercer Lang
ston. Hon. William A. Pledger, Hon
John R. Lynch, Hon. Henry Lincoln
Johnson and many other colored
leaders dead and gone and OF the
nos ron of many others, who are yet
alive. They put principle above Par
ty and racial interests above all else
L. ,oI;c.;op - our ord and