The Hindered Hand

Robert R. Bell's Illustrations for The Hindered Hand in Printing Three:

HH Print3 Cover.pdf HH Print3 Title Page.pdf HH Print3 Illustration List.pdf HH Print3 Illo 1.pdf HH Print3 Illo 2.pdf HH Print3 Illo 3.pdf HH Print3 Illo 4.pdf HH Print3 Illo 5.pdf HH Print3 Illo 6.pdf

HH Print3 Illo 7.pdf HH Print3 Illo 8.pdf HH Print3 Illo 9.pdf HH Print3 Illo 10.pdf HH Print3 Illo 11.pdf HH Print3 Illo 12.pdf HH Print3 Illo 13.pdf HH Print3 Illo 14.pdf HH Print3 Illo 15.pdf

The First Review of the Novel, London Daily News 8 August 1905 (p.4):

THE NEGRO PROBLEM

From "internal evidence" we should unhesitatingly assert that the author of "The Hindered Hand" is himself a negro. The case is put with such evident feeling for the negro cause that it is difficult to suppose any but a personal interest to exist in the mind of the writer. Not that Mr. Griggs is prejudiced or unfair. If the descriptions of the lynchings in the book have but the slightest shadow of truth--and Mr. Griggs declares they are unvarnished descriptions of eyewitnesses--there is no possible excuse for the action or attitude of the white men. The book is horrible in its uncultured force and passion. Mr. Griggs has not perhaps the power of conveying his thoughts and convictions which belong to a practised writer, but there is a rugged sincerity and honesty in his writing which compel attention. What the outcome of the present situation will be it is impossible to say. Mr. Griggs has no clear solution to offer. That some solution must be found is obvious; it is to be hoped that the question may be settled without further cruelty to the black race; at present their condition of life is beyond all bearing.

NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS

1903

Resolution “presented by Prof. J. M. Codwell, Texas, and Rev. A. Barb[ou]r, Texas,” and adopted at the Annual Meeting of the National Baptist Convention in Philadelphia 9/17/1903

“WHEREAS, The Negro’s character, possibility and hope have have [sic] been seriously and almost irreparably injured by the publication and issue of a book known as ‘Leopard’s Spots,’ by Thomas Dixon; and,

“WHEREAS, Failure to in some way correct the damaging statements contained in the other books by Mr. Dixon will serve to tacitly admit the guilt of most of them, and hence we in so much become contributors to his cruel tirade against our future growth and development; and,

“WHEREAS, The widely extended circulation of this book has had a serious effect of so fanning into flames the prejudice and ill-feeling of our white friends in every nook and corner of this broad land, that conditions among us have become alarmingly precarious; and,

“WHEREAS, It is eminently proper and extremely necessary to in some way begin a movement that will offset the influence of this and other books that have thus enraged the passions and excited the ire against us; therefore, be it

“RESOLVED, That this Convention express itself in favor of the production of a series of articles by the Rev. Sutton E. Griggs, B.D., to be published in a book or other form of publication that will answer "The Leopard’s Spots," [sic] in particular, and such other books as have been written for the purpose of traducing the colored race.” (Journal of the 23^rd Annual Session of the National Baptist Convention Held with the Holy Trinity Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania., September 16^th-21^st, 1903, Nashville: National Baptist Publishing Board, 1904, 138)

1905

On Thursday morning 10/26, the second day of the Annual Meeting of the National Baptist Convention held in Chicago 10/25-10/30/1905, “Rev. S. E. Griggs, B.D., Nashville, Tenn.” delivered a speech entitled “The Mission on the ‘Hindered Hand’” (Journal of the Twenty-Fifth Annual Session of the National Baptist Convention Held with the Olivet Baptist Church, Chicago, Illinois, October 25^th-30^th, 1905, Nashville: National Baptist Publishing Board, 1906, 16). It was hailed as a “very excellent address” and “time was given for the sale of the book” (33). In his address the previous day, NBC President Elias Camp Morris stated, “We should only have pity for a man who can write such a book as “Leopard’s Spot’s,” or an article such as the one which appeared in the Saturday Evening Post of August 19^th, in criticism of Dr. Booker T. Washington’s idea of industrial training for that portion of the Negro race that takes to the trades.” Camp added, “we are not only Americans by right of birth, but we are Americans by right of conquest, and that right is not given alone by the Constitution and its amendments. It has been written in blood upon hundreds of battle-fields, from the days of Attucks until the day when the Spanish Flag went down on San Juan Hill.” (24)

Resolution submitted by J. M. Codwell and A. J. Stokes and adopted 10/27/1905

Whereas, At the session of the National Baptist Convention held in Philadelphia two years ago, Rev. S. E. Griggs was ordered as the Convention’s duly accredited representative to write a book which should answer or attempt to answer as far as his ability and conditions would allow, the book “Leopard’s Spots,” which one Thomas Dixon has imposed on the public, and which has cruelly fanned into flames the passions of those who are not so kindly disposed to members of the race in their endeavor to move onward; and where[as] Rev. S. E. Griggs has both attempted and succeeded in bringing out such a publication to the very great credit of this Convention and the race; and,

Whereas, This Convention or at least individual members of it, have examined into the style, diction, and subject matters, etc. sufficiently to know that the book is worthy of our endorsement and official stamp of approval; and

Whereas, Since the Author has completed his task, reported to this body, [and] no official recognition has been taken of this book; therefore be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of this Convention that Rev. S. E. Griggs has in this endeavor to answer Thomas Dixon in the publication known as ‘The Hindered Hand,” succeeded admirably well and to the ample satisfaction of this Convention.

Resolved, further, That this Convention give its official approval of the task by seeing to it that the Chief Executive of this Nation, together with his Cabinet, [t]he Governors of [t]he different States, Hon. Wm. Crumpacker, of Indiana, Senator[s,] Congressional representation and such other representatives as the wisdom and financial ability of the Convention may dictate, also see that the crowned heads of the foreign convention [sic] are supplied with complimentary copies of this publication[.]

Be it still further Resolved, That the pastors of the churches everywhere be requested in the name of this Convention to urge upon their congregations and friends to subscribe, pay for and read this book. (116)

Second Resolution submitted by Rev. J. Anderson Taylor, D.D., District of Columbia, and adopted, with a Motion 10/28/1905

Whereas, The National Baptist Convention assembled in Philadelphia, Pa., two years ago, did ask Rev. S. E. Griggs, of Nashville, Tenn., to answer a book written against the Negro race by one Thomas Dixon, known as “The Leopard’s Spots;” and, whereas, Rev. Griggs has accomplished his mission in a most efficient manner, bringing us a production next to “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” in helpfulness to the race, known as “The Hindered Hand;” be it

Resolved, That this Convention do indorse the book, and pledge our moral support to the book and to its author.

2. That a copy be sent to President Roosevelt, his cabinet and to all the crowned heads of the world.

By motion rules were suspended and Dr. E. C. Morris, Secretary W. L. Cansler, S. E. Griggs and A. J. Stokes were appointed a committee to send the “Hindered Hand” to the Crown Heads of England and Governors of the States. (151)

COVER IMAGES

Below: the cover of a copy of printing 1 of The Hindered Hand