Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-03-25

washington last Thursday that the
president had appointed Colonel Asoury
Coward to membership on the board OF
visitors to West Point Military acad-
emy, and on Friday came the news tnat
w. D. Crum, the Negro doctor, mad
been re-appointed as collector OF the
port at Charleston.
AS to whether there Is any real con-
nection between these two appoint
ments we are not prepared to say. we
are certain there is not SO far as Col.
Asbury Coward is personally concern
ed: but the more we study the situa-
ton in the light of fixed southern SEN
timent and the avowed attitude OF Mr.
Roosevelt as an individual, together
with our carefully formed conceptions
of the character Of the man, the more
we lean to the suspicion that the pres
ident is attempting to play a game or
contempt with southern professions and
convictions.
AS to whether the president is honest
in his professions, we are extremely
doubtful; but nevertheless it is fact
he has assumed the position that In so
far as he is concerned, there shall be
no real distinction social, POLITICAL or
otherwise, between the southern white
man and the southern Negro. He has
talked this, he has written it, he has
acted it, and these two appointments
now under consideration are In line
with his well-understood policy.
DR.. w. D. Crum is an alleged rep
resentative of the social and political
ambitions Of the Negro race. He profess
ses to disregard the paltry salary con-
nected with the office for which he has
been striving; but claims to have
sought the Office only to the end. that
his elevation would to that extent be
an acknowledgement Of the political
equality Of the Negro race. There has
been no particular stress on social
equality; but neither Crum nor the
president has lost sight Of this element
Of the situation. In character, man
hood, patriotism, personal worth; In all
that is representative Of the highest
aspirations Of the white people Of South
Carolina, Col. Coward Is probably Sec
ond to no other citizen Of the state,
and as a military man, he Is the
peer Of the best citizen or soldier who
has held the position to which he has
been named.
Now the question arises, what does
it all mean? The point has been made
that the Republican party is not re-
sponsible for the Crum appointment
because the Republican senate has
twice refused to confirm it. Mr.. Roose-
welt and Mr.. Roosevelt alone Is re-
sponsible, and If Mr.. Roosevelt is re-
sponsible for the Negro Crum, and all
he represents, is it not reasonable to
assume that he Is also responsible for
the appointment of Col. Coward, and
that he is either trying to secure the
good will, or to stop the tongues Of all
that Col. Coward represents? We may
be mistaken; but it looks that way
to US.
Except in connection with the ap-
pointment of the Negro Crum as collec-
tor of the port Of Charleston, we would
glory in the appointment of Col. Cow
ard as a member Of the board Of visi-
tors to West Point Military academy
Under ordinary circumstances, we
would say that the honor could not be
more fittingly bestowed; that there is
no man in South Carolina who can flll
this place with more grace or ability
But under the circumstances, we hope
that Col. Coward will not accept. It s
an embarrassing position he is in, we
freely admit. We can see how, by
leaving the president and his probable
schemes, out of consideration, broad
pure minded man like Col. Coward
can take the place, without sacrifice OF
self-respect; but if he does accept, in
our opinion the president will gain a
valuable point, and the people who
have been making such a strenuous
fight for principle will lose much that
can never be regained.
On the other hand, we beg to suggest
that if the president will appoint Crum
to membership on the board of visitors
to West Point, while we will not ap-
prove the act, we will give him credit
for real honesty of purpose, something
Of which we are now very doubtful
AS tho thinp Looks now Mr. RoOsp-