The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-20


occupies a house provided Tor his use by
the whole nation. a decent regard for the
opinions of a large part of the people he
is supposed 10 represent ought to have
prev ented his ili-advised action. The
South is willing to accord the colored
man all necessary rights and privileges,
but social equality is one that is not only
not necessary, but is hurtful to the negro.
and never will be tolerated by the white
people, north or south.
Viewed from any standpoint, Mr..
Roosevelt has made a great blunder."
Delegate j. S. Barbour: II Mr..
Roosevelt desires to have negroes
to dine with him, he doubtless has the
right to crafty his tastes in that direc-
ton, but the fact that his tastes run in
that direction shows either that he has no
conception Of the sentiment OF the South
touching such matters, or, fully under
standing it, cares not snap for it. In
either event his conduct can have but
one effect, and that will be to chill to
death the feeling of admiration for and
confidence in him, which had taken such
a strong hold on the southern people. I
very much regret his action
John Garland Pollard, Esq: IF the
President chooses to dine with q
negro, let him do it. Every man to his
own liking" as the old lady said when
she kissed the cow.
Mr.. A. L. Pedigo beading Republican
member. from Henry county,: II think
the President of the United States has
perfect right to entertain any citizen
he chooses in his house or at his table.
AS to the propriety of the recent act OF
hospitality of our President to col
ored man, I will say that it is nobody's
business to criticise him. | have al
ways understood that the old lady who
kissed the COW was doing right, accoru-
ing TO her taste. =
Judge Timothy Rives: Why should not
the President '.hob-nob" with Booker
Washington if he so desires? A Rough
Rider seems tc5 do as he pleases anyhow.
Acknowledgement r. A. Ayers, CT
Wise county: President Roosevelt, as the
Chief Magistrate of the nation, enter
tanned at dinner a man who is conceded
to be the foremost representative OF his
race, constituting many millions of the
citizens of the country. l see no reason
for ali the excitement the affair has
stirred up. The white people of the
South thoroughly respect and admire
Booker Washington, and are lavish IN
their commentators Of his work. rms
being true why should they be so stirred!
I'D at the action of the President in an
official way entertaining Washington?
He is compelled to receive and entertain
the .repr esentatives of Hayti, Siberia, and
other black people not as deserving as
Washington. In my opinion, the crltl-
cIsm is unmerited and unjust, and can
in no way be attributed to desire on
the Presidents part to promote social
equality with the negroes.
Delegate J. 3. Thornton: OF course, no
one can question the right Of President
Roosevelt to entertain a negro as ms
guest if he desires to do so, but from
my standpoint it is incomprehensible how
! man ofhis superior opportunities could
enjoy it, I think it can be explained by
his abnormal passion for notorlety rather
than from a deliberate purpose to insult
and offend the whole, Southern people
and his noble mothers memory. 1t IS
discoura cling to find that the high posi-
ton has not balanced him at all.
Mr. Turnbull: I think the ac-
ton OF President Roosevelt sim
ply shows that we can expect
nothing from him or from the Republi-
can party in the time of helping to re-
lieve US from the present condition OF
things in Virginia.
Judge J. w. Orr: The action
Of the President in dining with
the distinguished gentleman of At
rican descent creates quite q sensation
among the people. both North and South.
That he has made a mistake, no matter
what his personal taste may be, is quite
evident. But it is only step carrying
out his inclination in favor of social
| Tod, IN \, caa
willingness to educate his own children
in a mixed school, and one follows the
other naturally.
R0WERS TRIAL.