The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-08
NEGROES IN OFFICE.

We print elsewhere an editorial article
from the washington Post in relation TO
the demand Of the colored people that
their military organizations be ofhcered
bv men OF their own race. which Is more
vigorous in tone than any that has ap-
peared on this subject in a Southern
newspaper.
The Post warns the colored folks that
all that they can accomplish BY this pes
tferous uproar is to convince the whites
that they are impractical and malapro-
pos. II also tells them that this Is
white mans country, which the white
man intends TO govern in his own way
and for his own behoof.
We do not wish TO be harsh, but facts
are facts and the black man must recog-
nize the truthfulness Of what the Post
saws. This IS indeed a white mans coun-
trv II was discovered by white men. IT
was built up by white men, and 1t was
through the sacrifice and daring Of white
men that IT received It's independence.
The black man will DO well to recognize
this and will do badly 10 be constantly
pressing his so-called claims.
Some time ago a negro youth applied
for admission TO the naval academy at
Annapolis, and one OF the most rab!d Re
publican papers at the North came out
in an article in which 1T bodily declared
that TO force negro officer into the
naval service was against public policy
I'm that tho presence of such an officer
would be constanl menace TO discipline
and would make no end Of trouble That
the government was under no obligation
TO recognize the negro when such rccos-
milton would be detrimental TO the public
service.
More recently another Northern news
paper declared that It was wrong for the
President TO appoint a negro to be post
master IN Southern town or elsewhere
,n oonosifion TO the wishes OF the patrons
Of the office. This newspaper went on to
say that there were some people in the
toc,x country Of the Northern States
who had a great antipathy even 20 for
elaners. and that the President would
no, think Of forcing upon such people
AGAINST their will, postmaster Of foreign
birth.
II IS inconcelvable that the Department
Of war would appoint any white man to
command the federal troops who for
whatever reason whether prejudice or
otherwise. was so distasteful to the SOL
dlors that they would not willingly fight
under him. That such feeling should ex-
list against white man or black man
is his own misfortune for which the gov
eminent is in no way responsible.
Every citizen in the United States has
certain rights guaranteed him under the
constitution which the government must
respect. but the right to hold office does
not carry with it any obligation on 'Ne
part Of the government 10 confer ONCE
upon any individual. No man has any
peculiar claim on any office within the
gift OF the people or the government
There are offices elective and offices APP
polntlve In Che one case 1t is the right
OF the people TO say who shall serve
them: in the other It Is the right Of APP
pointlve power TO make It's own selection.
IL is Just as absurd. therefore, for the
negro to claim an Office because OF his
color. as It for white man to make the
same claim for the same reason.
In the beginning of this war 1t was
given out in washington that many per-
sons would be appointed TO military posi-
ton because OF their political pull. and
The Times was very prompt TO set Itself
I'm opposition TO any such policy. We de-
clared that 1t would DO nothing short OF
q publio outrage TO destroy the efficiency