The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-08-29
SHEPARD ON RACE QUESTION He Endorses Self-defenSe
 Methods of South. AGAINST INTERFERENCE Problem Will Be Solved Only
 by Dominant Race. Interference Could Be Accomplished by Force and Force Would Re-
 vive Iniquities of Carpet bag Government.
AGAINST INTERFERENCE

New York, Aug. 8.-(Special.)-Tne Evening Post tonight published follow ing as Its front page feature:
 The Post has sent the letter of in- auiry printed below to prominent North ern Democrats as to their position on the question of negro suffrage. So far. the only answers received have been from Mr. Cleveland and Edward M. Shepard. Mir. Cleveland's letter follows:
 Your letter propounding certain ques- tions touching negro suffrage in the South Is at hand. I am not willing to take from my vacation time necessary to answer these questions in thor ough manner, even If I were inclined to enter into discussion invited by your re- quest. Grover Cleveland.
 This letter of ex-President Cleveland was sent in reply to the following in- quiry:
 Dear Sir-It Is frequently alleged in Southern press that leading Northern Democrats are in sympathy with the ef- fort to disfranchisc negroes in the South. under color of laws uneaually enforced as between whites and black. To test the truth of this assertion, The Post re- spectfully asks you to give 1t for pub lication your opinion upon the following statement of facts:
 Tn the case of Jackson w. Giles. ap- pellant, vs. Board of Registrars of N10nIkOAuCIy COuutyB <Aic.s dA 8hC4 DOAOAO the United States supreme court at Oc- tober term of 1902, 1t was shown that said Board of Registrars refused to register qualified negroes for no other reason than their race or color. The brief for appel lant specified that more than 5000 col ored persons in Montgomery county alone are thus excluded from suffrage though qualified under law of State of alabama and of United States Grant ing the truth of these statements, and failing of interventioA by the supreme court. has congress any duty in prem ises."
 ''Cz) If the constitutional guaranties and penalties provided for such cases are al- lowed to lapse. what others can we count upon remaining in vigor?
 "(O If the negro may be deprived of suffrage in the South, how long will 1t be before some argument will be adduced, as Mfr. Despasses of New York bar ad- mits that 1t may be. for disfranchise- ment of foreign born voters in North who are the peculiar strength of Democratic party?" a. .- .-.-.. 5a. .1,
 By answering these questions at youi earliest convenience. you will greatly oblige."
 The letter was mailed to address of fol- lowing gentleman, in addition to MT. Cleveland: "W. J. Bryan. Alton B. Park CT, Richard Olney, David B. Hill, Jud Harmon. M. Shepar, to the Southern Democratic representatives and to Con- gressmen Granger. Thayer, Sullivan, Hughes. McDermot, Sulzer, Harrison. Ryan and Badger.
 Letter was sent, in addition to Governor GarVin of Rhode Island. to Mayor Collins of Boston. and also to Mayor Harrison of Chicago and Mayor Johnson of Cleve- land.
 Congressman Granger of Rhode Island, so his private secretary wrote, was out Of the country and could not reply. Ac- acknowledgement came also from the pri- vate secretaries of Congressman Sulzer and Harrison of this city. both of whom were out of reach in the West.
 All of the others addressed, with the exception of MT. Shepard, omitted to state their opinions on the case submit ted.
 The Post does not comment on the sig nificant silence of these leading Northern Democrats, but it was topic of conver- sation tonight at leading political clubs and hotels. Politicians refused to make statements tonight for publication, and 1t is a conceded fact that all will fallow Cleveland's example and let tho South take care of its own troubles.
 Edward M. Shepard who was the Dem- ocratic Mayoralty candidate of Greater New York last election, and who has been spoken of as Gubernatorial and Presidential candidate, gives his opinions in lengthy but brilliant statement. He is noted as one of New York's most eminent lawyers.
 Mir. Shepards statement. in part. fol- lows:
 Have you correctly understood the Southern press? Has it not been inter- ested over the condemnation of negro suf- frage by Secretary Root. Dr. Lyman Alp bolt and other distinguished Republi- cans? Might not your questions be more properly addressed to members of the party in power. I decline to assume with you that the Supreme Court was wrong In the Giles case; or that if. as you seem to imply, constitutional guaranties and penalties are allowed to lapse.' So also decline to assume that foreign born vot- CTS at the North are the peculiar strength of the Democratic party
 "I believe profoundly in Democratic self government, and I make no excep- ton against negroes or Filipinos or any race or country which has shown any capacity for any degree of orderly admin istration.
 ''I have always hated, and hate now more than ever human slavery, whether of white men or black or yellow or brown. I abhor the suggestion recently made by a distinguished Northern clergyman and approved by distinguished Northern newspaper which has warmly supported President Roosevelt, that al system of governmental compulsory laboi should be imposed upon the negroes at the South as upon an inferior race. abhor peon- age and would have every energy of our governments, State and Federal. applied to punish and prevent 1t. honor the citizens of Alabama who. as prosecutors. judges and jurors, have punished 1t in that State, and the great majority of white citizens there who have supported them in their execution of the law.
 "In my opinion there rests upon the President no duty more imperative than to enforce the thirteenth amendment and the legislation enacted under it. For the amendment can be practically enforced.
 "I should rejoice to see everywhere ac- corded to negro intelligence and industry and character the very same esteem and security in person and property which would be accorded