The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-10-19
Offset to Criticism for Booker
Washington Incident.
SENTIMENTS CONFLICT
Chivalrous Ideas and Prejudice at
Odds in the South.
"WELL DoNEI" BoSToN'S VERDICT
President Roosevelt Ignores the
CIamOr Over This Matter Per-
sOnaI to Himself.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal
Chicago, Oct. 19.-The Tribune to-day
says that throughout the southern states
yesterday the press and people discussed
the presidents action in having Booker T.
Washington as a guest at a private din
ner in the White House. While among
the rabid anti-negro element and in the
ranks Of the irreconcilables there was de-
nunciation, at times bitter, still the more
advanced southern sentiment was inclined
TO regard the incident merely as a suit
able courtesy to a worthy man. The
chiyalrous notion that the president has
the right accorded to a private citizen to
choose his own dinner guests was at odds
IN the south with the deep seated preju-
dice against anything tending toward So
cial equality between whites and blacks.
In many cases the chivalrous feeling pre-
vailed and adverse criticism was with
held. One significant feature Of the sensa-
ton thus wrought up in the south was
that scarcely anybody would allow his
name with uncomplimentary opinion to
be quoted in the newspapers The denun-
Citations were in most cases strictly
anonymous.
Boston COmmendatiOn.
In Boston the matter was discussed and
universal opinion there commended the
d1nner-host and guest.
Last commencement Booker Washing
ton sat at Harvard's table. By that We
expressed what we think of him." was the
way President Elliot of Harvard univers-
ity expressed it.
When Booker Washington was here
last winter l entertained him at my table
and should he be here again this winter
shall hope for the honor" said Professor
Charles Elliot Norton
IT was a fine object lesson and most
encouraging. 1t was the act Of a gentle
man, an act of unconscious, natural sim
plicity," said William Lloyd Garrison.
II think the action of the president in
entertaining Booker 7. Washington at the
executive mansion was eminently wise,
tlmely and proper" was the view of Henry
B. Blackwell.
In Washington. 1t was noted that some
Of those southern democrats who professed
to be scandalfzed by the proceeding were
at the White House during the day seek
ing favors at the hand OF the president
Senator elect Bailey, of Texas, was of
this class. The president himself paid
no heed to the clamor over what is re-
garded among more intelligent people as
matter personal to himself, but in ON
cial circles it is suggested that now dur
ing the period Of official mourning no din
ner at the White House can assume pub.
lie character.
Mason to the Fore.
Because the president entertained this
man." said Senator Mason last night to
the members of the Young Mems club of
the Fourth Presbyterian church, 'he is
being basted and lampooned from one end
of the country to the other by certain
set of people" He continued:
Did you ever meet Booker T. Washington !?
Did you ever hear him talk or learn of the
work he has been doing? Undoubtedly you
have, and with me admire him for his no.
bility and unselfshness of character and his
mOdesty and Christian fortitude-and it is
this man who is being talked about, and it
is our president who is being criticized for
sitting at the same table with him. 1 tell
you, young men of this club, it is disgrace.
Enthusiastic applause greeted this por
tion of the senator's talk. In fact, the
reception given these declarations was
more emphatic than bestowed upon any
other statement made by the senator with
the possible exception of his scathing re-
buke to anarchists and eulogy to William
Mckinley.