Struck a Snag
January 4, 1896
Summary
A letter to the paper bitterly complains about the attempted boycott of the Planet.
Transcription
Mr. Editor:
You will oblige me much to allow me space in your worthy and everlasting journal for the purpose of vindicating myself and the grand old Planet. On Tuesday 18th of December, I gave out s notice concerning Rev. W. W. Browne, the Alpha and Omega of the True Reformers, who was invited to speak at the Union Hall, Dec. 20th. This l kindly did with the understanding that the meeting would be free for all to speak. But soon after I arrived I found out that none would be allowed to speak but those in favor of the “Great 1 Am." This great king began to speak about 8:30 o'clock. He started off and continued so for more than a half hour. Then he began to boycott the people's paper known as the Richmond Planet, and to dominate its editor in the person of Mr. John Mitchell, Jr., the race sufferer, I will now mention some of the things that he said about you and the Planet. “The Planet is a paper made up out lies and you who buy and read it, buy and read lies.” In addition to this he said that he could sell and buy that lying paper and little Johnny was too light for him.
REV. BROWNE’S WILD ANTICS.
He became so indignant and ungodly until I was somewhat compelled to speak, saying, "The Planet will live." Then he became wild over the matter, so much so that he began to hiss and stretch his eyes at me saying, "if you are for little Johnny, stop talking back to me about the Planet living. This the True Reformers' meeting and if you want to talk you will have to call mass-meeting."
PEOPLE LEAVE IN DISGUST.
Soon after this, about twenty walked out, and many of them were my members. Then he found out that the grand old Planet had many friends here, that did not ask him any odds. Rev. Browne probably thought that he ever would hear from me again since he made so small of me at his meeting, but I want him to understand that l am representing Jesus and his everlasting church, and l intend to speak my sentiments in the church and through the public press. I know Mr. Browne thinks he is a great philanthropist, but I am sure he is more of a braggart than anything else. Now, Mr. Editor I will tell Rev. W. W. Browne why I said that the Planet will live since he would not allow me to tell him at his meeting.
WHY THE PLANET WILL LIVE.
First, it will live because it has a liberal and fearless editor. 2nd, It will live because the world knows that it is indispensable. 3rd, It will live because the editor's ability to edit a paper is not limited. 4th. It will live because all of our religious bodies in and out of the state have indorsed its course and are reading it. 5th. It will live because nearly all of the pastors in and out of the state are reading it and advising their people to read it. 6th. It will live because the people know that you want to kill it. 7th. It will live because it is redeeming the Negro from the courts of injustice. 8th. It will live because it is posting the Negroes to look out and beware of the lynchers. 9th. It will live because it is trying to suppress lynch-law. 10th. It will live because I believe God has said so.
A STERN REMINDER.
Oh! Brother Browne you forgot that the Planet is one of our adopted children. This child was born in Richmond when you were looking for a church in which to preach, but since you found a Society greater and richer than the church in your opinion, now you are fighting the preachers because they will not follow you. Suppose the pastors were to leave the word of God and go about organizing societies like you, what would become of the souls of men? I will answer the question by saying they would fall in Hell. You forgot that you told the people more than fifteen years ago that God had called you to preach. Now you tell us that some one has called you from the Gospel ministry to organize societies and banking institution.
Please tell me who called you from the word of God? Now I think if you will let the Planet and its editor alone, you will get your $50,000 much quicker. Now I hope you know why I said that the Planet will live.
Rev. W. H. Dixon, Pastor of First Baptist Church
You will oblige me much to allow me space in your worthy and everlasting journal for the purpose of vindicating myself and the grand old Planet. On Tuesday 18th of December, I gave out s notice concerning Rev. W. W. Browne, the Alpha and Omega of the True Reformers, who was invited to speak at the Union Hall, Dec. 20th. This l kindly did with the understanding that the meeting would be free for all to speak. But soon after I arrived I found out that none would be allowed to speak but those in favor of the “Great 1 Am." This great king began to speak about 8:30 o'clock. He started off and continued so for more than a half hour. Then he began to boycott the people's paper known as the Richmond Planet, and to dominate its editor in the person of Mr. John Mitchell, Jr., the race sufferer, I will now mention some of the things that he said about you and the Planet. “The Planet is a paper made up out lies and you who buy and read it, buy and read lies.” In addition to this he said that he could sell and buy that lying paper and little Johnny was too light for him.
REV. BROWNE’S WILD ANTICS.
He became so indignant and ungodly until I was somewhat compelled to speak, saying, "The Planet will live." Then he became wild over the matter, so much so that he began to hiss and stretch his eyes at me saying, "if you are for little Johnny, stop talking back to me about the Planet living. This the True Reformers' meeting and if you want to talk you will have to call mass-meeting."
PEOPLE LEAVE IN DISGUST.
Soon after this, about twenty walked out, and many of them were my members. Then he found out that the grand old Planet had many friends here, that did not ask him any odds. Rev. Browne probably thought that he ever would hear from me again since he made so small of me at his meeting, but I want him to understand that l am representing Jesus and his everlasting church, and l intend to speak my sentiments in the church and through the public press. I know Mr. Browne thinks he is a great philanthropist, but I am sure he is more of a braggart than anything else. Now, Mr. Editor I will tell Rev. W. W. Browne why I said that the Planet will live since he would not allow me to tell him at his meeting.
WHY THE PLANET WILL LIVE.
First, it will live because it has a liberal and fearless editor. 2nd, It will live because the world knows that it is indispensable. 3rd, It will live because the editor's ability to edit a paper is not limited. 4th. It will live because all of our religious bodies in and out of the state have indorsed its course and are reading it. 5th. It will live because nearly all of the pastors in and out of the state are reading it and advising their people to read it. 6th. It will live because the people know that you want to kill it. 7th. It will live because it is redeeming the Negro from the courts of injustice. 8th. It will live because it is posting the Negroes to look out and beware of the lynchers. 9th. It will live because it is trying to suppress lynch-law. 10th. It will live because I believe God has said so.
A STERN REMINDER.
Oh! Brother Browne you forgot that the Planet is one of our adopted children. This child was born in Richmond when you were looking for a church in which to preach, but since you found a Society greater and richer than the church in your opinion, now you are fighting the preachers because they will not follow you. Suppose the pastors were to leave the word of God and go about organizing societies like you, what would become of the souls of men? I will answer the question by saying they would fall in Hell. You forgot that you told the people more than fifteen years ago that God had called you to preach. Now you tell us that some one has called you from the Gospel ministry to organize societies and banking institution.
Please tell me who called you from the word of God? Now I think if you will let the Planet and its editor alone, you will get your $50,000 much quicker. Now I hope you know why I said that the Planet will live.
Rev. W. H. Dixon, Pastor of First Baptist Church
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Right Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Liam Eynan
Citation
“Struck a Snag,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 18, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1678.