The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1901-10-26
pow,rl.ss Mr.. Roosevelt.

In inviting a negro to the
white house to dine with him PreSl-
dent Roosevelt certainly made a move
ON the political checker bOard-to say
nothing OF the social phase OF the
matter-that can do him no good out
is bound to result in inestimaole
harm. 1t cannot be argued that MI
Roosevelt acted under provision OF
the constitution of the United States
and is therefore iuStiiable in the eyes
of the people, OF that the move was
the outgrowth Of his usual impulSive-
ness. That he had the constitutional
right to so act no n will for a
moment deny, but that he was barred
from such procedure by precedent
and by those rules Of social law that
have ever governed in the race queS-
tion is equally true.
1t is evident that the unique Mr..
Roosevelt, who was made president Of
the United States by the stroke of the
assassin, acted in this matter after
thorough study and a weighing of all
the surrounding circumstances. He
could not have been so ignorant that
he could have conceived of the idea
that so pronounced a breach Of social
law would pass unnoticed. He knew
the consequences and invited war
upon himself in wilfully stepping
upon dangerous grOund-a field pleth-
oric of harm to any mar who enters
upon it in this country of white mans
supremacy.
1t is sincerely to be regretted that
this step has been taken by the chief
executive Of the nation. Throughout
the entire land the negro has been
learning to keep his place and has
found happiness and cOntentment in
mingling, socially, with his own peo-
pie. Education, that splendid educa-
ton furnished through the avenue Of
our magnificent public school system,
has been gradually broadening the
mind Of the colored man until he had
begun to see and recognize the fact
that there is a social stream dividing
him from his white neighbOr which
can never be bridged. The money
used in the promotion Of this educa-
tion, it might be said, comes, almost
intoto, from the pockets Of the white
man, who has borne bravely and with
fortitude the annual visitation OF the
taX-gatherer to take from him that
for which he receives nOdirect return.
For the negro school houses have been
builded, teachers employed and all
advantages offered that have been
provided for the whites. The one
dividing line has been and ever will
be, social equality.
And this line can never be wiped
out. There is not sufficient entice.
ment in the oratory of the world to
eradicate this feeling from the heart
OF the Self-respecting white man MOI
sufficient power to enforce him to a
social equality with the negro. This
Mr.. Roosevelt may as well understand
right now, with an emphasis that
cannot be misinterpreted. The pres.
ident of the United States NAV lower
his social standing by bringing into
his family, the negro, but thank
God he cannot pull the American
people down with him.
If President Roosevelt is sincere il
this matter Of social equality, and w
have no right to presume otherwise
then it is sincerely to be regretted
that the chief executive of this grea'
nation is so coarse in sentiment tina,
ne cannot discern the necessity for tn,
continuation of a practice that social,
divides the races.