Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1929-02-16
MIR. JONES ANSWER.
Editor Times-Dispatch:

Editor Times Dispatch:
Sir:-I have just read very
timely and courteous letter written
by Rev. w. L. Ransome, in which
he took occasion TO thank you for
the splendid editorial on race segre-
CATION which appeared in your issue
of January 18th. In thanking you
for himself he certainly bespoke the
sincerest sentiments, the deepest APP
probation of an oppressed race. But
when he paid his respects to my ar,
ticle on race segregation pubilshed
on the same page, he garbled and
misquoted it.
In order to keep the record
straight, what l said relative to Ne
gro leaders in mass meeting assem-
bled was this: "The said mass meet,
ing was held at True Reformers'
Hall and was largely attended by rep
resentative colored people. 1t is only
fair, however, to point out that inns
was an opposition meeting, mega
tive movement and very credltaole
one of its kind. But what a tine
thing it would be and how much
more creditable if these same Negro
leaders would call another mass
meeting, this one to do something
constructive or instructive. Not
mass meeting merely to restrain or
beg white people not to do this, tina.
or the other, but mass meeting OF
Negroes resolved to go forward ana
do something worthwhile for them
selves"
hold that if the Negro is ever to
be a man among men he must hold
up his head; must begin to pave his
own way; must learn to steer his
own boat; must sail or sink under
his own steam. In regard TO the
derelictiou of Negro ministers men,
toned, l agree with Rev. Ransome.
Not only along the lines suggested
by him, bat I believe they are dere~
llct in du.y il they 10 not tell their
people" that The destiny OF the Ne
gro is largely in his own hands; that
he needs not "a new concept oil !
God" but q new concept of his own T,
power, of his obligations to society
and TO his race.
In connection with the above, let |
me say this to ". l.. Ransome: Rev |
erend Sir, aside from the advertise |
ment that you are a NEGRO Baptist !.
leader" you very realistically pro-
claimed from the house top that you
are ''Pastor First Baptist Church, !,
South Richmond; president Baptist ,
Ministers Conference of Richmond;
president Baptist General Associa-
ton OF Virginia! Indeed, sir, you !
boast of more titles than the Presl- !:
dent of the United States, yet you /
cannot cast a ballot in Democratic
primary if you wished; you cannot
help select the assessor who taxes /
your property, if you have any; you !
cannot raise your voice In choosing |
the man who shall or shall not gov
ern YOU. Until you acquire these |
common rights and privileges you
are not a voter, not free citizen, J
not a full-fledged man. Though your
name may be buried in titles, |
Though you may speak with the
tongue of men and of angels" II you
are not in possession of the ballot, |
YOU are "as sounding brass or a
tinkling cymbal."
Allow me to make two comparl-
sons with reference to political con-
ditions:: First, if there were sixty
five thousand Italians in Richmond
instead of sixty-fve thousand Ne
groes, Mussolini would nearly die
tate the policy of our local admins
tration, and why? Because his ma
would pay poll tax, regis
ter and vote. Secondly, if there
were sixty-five thousand Jews In |
Richmond instead of that number
of Negroes, the Jews would run this'|
city. They run its finances now,
and there are but ten thousand, and
why? Because they exercise the
right of franchise.
Today most of the Negro popula-
ton of Richmond, including their
leaders, are grief-stricken, crying
like children and begging for the
things they have a right to demand
if voters. They need determination
to secure the ballot, though it may
cost an appeal to the Federal Su.-
preme Court. In this fight they need
the indomitable will of "StonewalP,
Jackson, the matchless courage OF
Robert E. Lee, and the spirit Of our
Saviour Jesus Christ. These are my
sentiments, my principles, my con-
victions and upon them the defense
rests his case.