The times., 1899-11-16
MIR. MckinIey and The Negro.

In his time the President has probably
had some reasonably severe things said
about him, but we doubt if he was ever
subjected TO such a downright csstigation
as has recently been administered to him
in an open letter from The colored people
o. Massachusetts. The arraignment OF
the Chief Magistrate in this document is
so bIOodcurdling in its iuvective and de-
nunciation that if We did not know him
for as gentle and amiable ruler as ever
meant well and honestly by his people.
albeit generally ruled by influences inim-
icaI TO them, and ultimately to himself. we
should be bound 10 regard him as a despot
compared with whom Nero was a Sunday
school superintendent and the Duke OF
AIva Methodist circuit rider.
The nine coIored people and others"
apparently responsible Tor the open letter
charge M Mckinley with so many things
that We can only pick out few sample
mlsdemeanors by way Of Illustration. They
accuse him Of criminal aggression abroad
and declare that in order 70 win the sup
port OF the south 10 this policy, he is
ready and willing 10 shut eyes. ears, and
lips to the criminal aggression Of that
section against the Constitution and the
laws of the land. wherein they guarantee
civil rights and citizenship 10 the negro.
whose ultimate reduction 10 a condition
Of fixed and abject serfdom Is the plain
purpose Of the Southern people and their
laws" The White House object Of wrath
is also plainly told that nothing has es-
capped MS Presidential eve in connection
with public affairs but the fragrant
and mousirous crimes perpetrated upon a
weak and submissive race in defiance Of
your authority, OF in virtual conniysnce
herewith. Yes. sir. We repeat OF in viz
tual coBnivanCe Herewith"
Now We have a double regret to express.
We feel sorry for poor Mr.. Mckinley, and
also for whatever is the matter with the
nine colored people OF New England, and
others What is it that ails them. and
what has the President done that they
should dance this vengeful cake walk on
his devoted head2 The country has been
fairly al peace OF late and we have not
heard Of any remarkable degree Of dis
content among the colored element in the
South II is true that a few individuals
have been killed for a nameless crime;
but the relations between the races are
otherwise friendly enough. The allegation
that lynching has been with the virtual
connIvauoe OF Air Mckinley is going fur
ther than Wo think the facts justify, and
we do not believe that il is the plain or
any other purpose Of the Southern people
and their laws TO reduce The negro race
10 "a condition Of fixed and abject serf-
dom" Certain States OF the section have
adopted constitutions providing educational
qualifications for the suffrage. bat they are
also helping 10 educate the ignorant classes
az an colors 10 meet the requirements.
That Is quite within the constitutional
tights Of States, and the President could
not interfere with The movement il he
would
The open letter OF the colored people Of
New England" TO the President Of the
United States is TOO openly and personally
impertinent to the highest officer Of the
nation 10 warrant US or anyone in believ-
ing that II can represent the sentiments Of
the people for whom it assumes authority
10 speak II 81 does we are sorry for the
negroes Of New England il viii not tend
10 create the impression that they are as
safe repositories OF the rights Of citizenship
as their friends and well wishers had imag-
ined. Aside from that consideration we are
No; aware that either by reason OF su-