Richmond Planet

We stake forty-five years' reputation for honesty, integrity and honorable action against ten months' aspersions of our enemies and those who desire to profit by the failure of the greatest financial institution of the colored people. Our primary object and desire is to reimburse any of our people who have invested in any enterprise fostered by us.

We solemnly swear now, as we swore upon the witness stand, that not one dollar of our forty-five years' accumulation has been the result of dishonorable actions or sharp practices. We insist that the money alleged to be missing cannot be traced to us either directly or indirectly and that of all the people involved we are the greatest sufferer; even as our honesty has been our greatest asset.

The money belonging to us and to the organizations with which we are affiliated was taken by others or was accredited to other accounts, so that when checks were drawn upon the account there was no money to meet them. There was no other course for us to pursue other than to assume complete responsibility. Our ledger sheets at the Bank had been stolen, removed in order to cover up these peculations and to make us the victim.

We had not transferred our property. It was all in our own name and while the liability chargeable to us from this source was approximately ($64,000) Sixty-four Thousand Dollars, we surrendered assets (real estate) which conservatively handled, will bring over ($100,000) One Hundred Thousand Dollars, which is ($36,000) Thirty-six Thousand Dollars more than the alleged liability.

We have never had charge of a record in the Mechanics Savings Bank in twenty years' service. We could not have made a false entry upon the books of that concern. We had no reason so to do when we had surrendered property with a gross rental of ($11,000) Eleven Thousand Dollars.

We have defended colored people, secured their release from jails, penitentiaries and stopped executions upon the gallows. We are now called upon to defend ourselves. Certain it is, that the people whom we have defended will stand by us. As for the better class of Southerners, their testimony in our behalf is an outstanding feature of this crucial period of our existence. We are trusting in God.

STATEMENT TO THE PUBLIC:

In the language of Shakespeare, we are saying to our traducers and slanderers—

There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats,
For I am armed so strong in honesty that they pass me by
Like the idle wind, which I respect not.

A full, free and square vindication is demanded by us and we believe we shall obtain it.

John Mitchell, Jr.

Richmond, Va., May 9, 1923.