state.  If I call on you to defend my sovereignty, you must do so even if you have to fight against your own state.  But while I am your supreme earthly sovereign I am powerless to protect you against crimes, injustices, outrages against you.  Your state may disfranchise you with or without law, may mob you; but my hands are so tied that I can’t help you at all, although I shall force you to defend my sovereignty with your lives.  If you are beset by Klu Klux, White Cappers, Bulldozers, Lynchers, do not turn your dying eyes on me for I am unable to help you.’  Such is what the Federal Government has to say to the Negro.  The Negro must therefore fight to keep afloat a flag that can afford him no more protection than could a helpless baby.  The weakness of the General Government in this particular was revealed with startling clearness in connection with the murder of those Italians in New Orleans, a few years ago.  This government had promised Italy to afford protection to the property and lives of her citizens sojourning in our midst.  But when these men were murdered the General Government could not even bring the murderers to trial for their crime.  Its treaty had been broken by a handfull of its own citizens and it was powerless to punish them.  It had to confess its impotence to the world, and paid Italy a specified sum of money.  The Negro finds himself an unprotected foreigner in his own home.  Whatever outrages may be perpetrated upon him by the people of the state in which he lives, he cannot expect any character of redress from the General Government.  So in order to supply this needed protection, this conspiracy of which I have spoken has been formed to attempt to unite all Negroes in a body to do that which the whimpering government childishly but truthfully says it cannot do.

“These men are determined to secure protection for their lives and the full enjoyment of all rights and privileges due American citizens.  They take a solemn oath, offering their very blood for the cause.  I see that this will lead, eventually, to a clash of arms, and I wish to expose the conspiracy before it is too late.  Cooperate with me and glory and honor shall attend us all of our days.  Now, Bernard, tell me candidly what you think of the whole matter.  May I not rely on you?”

“Well, let me tell you just exactly what I think and just what I shall do,” thundered Bernard, rising as he spoke.  Pointing his finger at Belton, he said:  “I think, sir, that you are the most infernal scoundrel that I ever saw, and those whom you call conspirators are a set of sublime patriots; and further,” hissed Bernard in rage through his teeth, “if you betray those men, I will kill you.”

To Bernard’s surprise Belton did not seem enraged as Bernard thought he would be.  Knowing Belton’s spirit he had expected an encounter after such words as he had just spoken.

Belton looked indifferent and unconcerned, and arose, as if to yawn, when suddenly he threw himself on Bernard with the agility of a tiger and knocked him to the floor.  From secret closets in the room sprang six able bodied men.  They soon had Bernard securely bound.  Belton then told Bernard that he must retract what he had said and agree to keep his revealed purpose a secret or he would never leave that room alive.