The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-06
THAT DINNER INCIDENT.
What General Marcus J. Wright of
 Tennessee Said About It.

It was not General Luke E. wright or Memphis who made the statements In ington- Roosevelt dinner story. It was General Marcus Wright. who made the declaration and his remarks were printed in The Memphis Commercial-Appeal Of November 25 Both the Wrights are Southern men and bore gallant parts in the Confederate service. The following is the article as 1t appeared in the Mem- phis paper
 White House table as the guest of Presi- dent Roosevelt and family. as has been previously charged, Is the startling an nouncement made by General Marcus J. Wright, of the War Department at Wash irgton who has been visiting in Memphis for number of days.
 This statement was made several days ago by General Wright in the office Of well known wholesale grocer who was companion at arms with him during the late war. Seated around the ofhce were number of well known business men, who were talking with General Marcus Wright over happenings of the past.
 The President was in Memphis that day for the purpose of doing honor to Gen eral Luke E. Wright, and the subject of the Washington incident as 1t always has in the South, since the announce ment was first sent broadcast over the land was preached by a number of those present.
 That statement was false." replied General Wright immediately. to the in- tense astonishment of those present.
 Now, as you all know, l am Demo crat, and have never voted any other ticket in my life. For the past twenty three years, however, I have been res ident of Washington; and nave nad no But when a man has been so wofully misunderstood, even if he is my politi- cal opponent, believe 1t duty to set the matter right before the people.
 Af ha mo fhiSs President Roosevelt had been anxious for some time to obtain truthful light on the situation in the South. Finally. at the suggestion of number Of southern and Northern men of both great polit- cal parties. he sent message to Booker Washington, asking him to come to the capital for conference regarding the ne gro, his needs and his capabilities Wash was started in the Presidents executive office and was changed to his private of- flee because of repeated interruptions, continued for five hours.
 Tn the midst of the conference be- tween the President and Washington, lunch was sent in to the Chief Executive of the nation. Desiring to continue the conversation, and rather than lose the time necessary for Washington to go 10 lunch, President Roosevelt thereupon or dered that lunch be served to the negro educator in the same room.
 Now this was all there was to that story. WaShlngton dlu not ulHe at lhS White House table did not break bread with the Presidents wife and daughter. and was in no sense guest upon terms of social equality
 Asked as to why the President had nev- CT seen fit to have this statement made public. General Wright replied:
 Because he is too great man. He believed that it was beneath him to deny a story so palpably false. and that the truth would in time prevail. It is his ambition to he the President of the whole people of the United States. knowing no section or party. and his visit here shows how fond he is of the Southern people. He is an aristocrat to the finger tips, and for that reason. aside from the fact that he is the son of Southern woman. would never be willing to acknowledge the social equality of the negro. At the same time he believes. as we all do. that everything possible should be done to as- slst the members of that race in their struggle for higher citizenship. and will be their friend in all their worthy under takings.