New-York tribune., 1901-10-21
PRAISE FROM THE SOUTH.
MANY WHITE LEADERS GLAD THAT
ROOSEVELT HONORED WASHINGTON.
GBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]

Washington Oct. 20-In spite of the flaming
! indignation expressed by some Democratic edi-
tors at the South over President Roosevelt's en-
tertainment at dinner of Booker T. Washington,
the Alabama negro educator, the President has
received many messages of congratulation over
the incident from white leaders of Southern
thought None of these messages will be given
out at the White House for publication be-
cause the President does not regard the incident
as Of sufficient Importance to be noticed publicly
or commented upon. 1t goes without saying
that the President invited Professor Washing
ton to dine with him at the White House as a
mark Of respect for the man and of confidence
in his Judgment, Just as he has invited other
representative citizens to partake of his hospI-
tality. 1t is pertinent to observe that had the
President desired to force a recognition Of the
social equality between blacks and whites, as is
1 being charged by some of his vehement critics.
he would have invited some white men to meet
PROFESSOR Washington at the White House
board. But, for the first time since he has oc-
cupied the White House. the President had only
one guest at dinner the evening that Professor
Washington was invited. and that one guest, OF
course. was Professor Washington.
Another false impression also has been made
upon the public mind by newspaper reports from
Washington. both 10 the Presidents intention
1t is not true that he regards these criticisms
in a humorous sense, or that he has expressed
an intention again to invite Professor Washing
ton or other representative negroes TO dine at
the White House in order TO show defiance IN
his critics. 1t can be stated that the President
has read with establishment the diatribes OF
superheated Southern editors because he had
no idea that the courtesy he extended 10 Pro-
lessor Washington would be considered either as
an intentional or accidental affront 10 the South
or TO any other section. and further because he
holds that it is the privilege of every American
TO have as his guest whonsoever he pIeasas
Acting upon this principle and this alone tho
President may again invite Professor Washing
ton or other colored men to dine at the yybite
House.
In justice to Professor Washington. 1t is timely
to state that he has always shrunk from beine
placed upon a social equality with whites He
reallzes that the cry Of social equality has done
more than anything else TO retard the progress
OF the negro race in America-a work to which
ne mas devoted his energies with singular fdeI
ity. White people in this city who know, Profes
sor washington we'll say that he hesitated he
fore accepting the Presidents iryitatJon -
cause Of the realization that IL would brin down
criticism upon the President and react int,,ri
ously to the cause Of which Professor Washing
ton IS most forceful, earnest and intelligent
exponent-that of benefittng first the negrO's
industrial condition by teaching him how TO
80 80 ~, Gu sscoHu oy promoting his moral and
!httieCtudI IN deVelopment after he has acquired
the habits OF industry and frugality
All through his career Professor Washington
mas scrupulously avoided becoming Identified in
any way with partisan politics. and so well has
he perseVered in this course that some of those
who know him best say they do not know
WneIher ne Is Republican or Democrat In
this connection it may be cited as a curious fact
that Professor Washington is not popular with
the rank and file Of the negro politicians or the
black masses everywhere because he is NOT rad
ical enough in his methods or violent enough in
the expression of his views
So far this city is concerned the dinner in
cident has created not half of the excitement or
interest which it appears TO have created in
other parts of the country