Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-13
THE .HERALD,s ARTICLE.

The New York. Herald boldly and in
cisively antagonizes the Presidents policy
with reference to the appointment of nee
groes to Federal Offices In the South Last
week we reproduced one Of its editorials
on the subject. and in its yesterdays
issue we find another ana stronger one.
It is all The more important and signlh-
cant, because the Herald gives little place
to articles on everyday politics. It is
only on occasions of great public moment
that 1t is thoroughly aroused. as it un-
6oubtedly is in this instance.
We reproduce the Herald's leader. head
ing Included. as follows:
I'reslden Roosevelt Should Retrace
His steps-The Country Does Nos
Want n DcpYornbIe Color Issue.
From the .outburst & OF resentment
throughout the South. and the.expression
of sober Northern sentiment, President
Roosevelt must; now realize that the i'll
advised appointment of DR.. Crun. follow
ing closely on the abrupt closing Of the
Indianola post-office, was: a blunder which
has already done no little mischief. and
which, if persisted in. can hardly fail to
lead to the most deplorable consequences.
To this prevailing opinion of the country
the President may well bow and prompts
~ repair the mistake by accepting the
resignation Of Mrs. Cox, opening the In
dianola office with a postmaster accepta-
BILE to its citizens. and Withdrawing the
obnoxious nomination from the Senate to
avert sectional discussion to be depre-
Gated by the entire nation.
80 Al 80 h nirt, No.
hailed with Keen satisfaction by the
American people was the Welding of
Northern and Southern feeling In pa
triotic unity. It was a theme that Presi-
dent Mckinley loved to dwell on, and is
one on which President Roosevelt him.
self has repeatedly spoken with enthu-
siasm. But If the agitation now menaced
should be fonented it would not only
undo the good then done. but would set
the country back generation In color
prejudice and sectional strife.
The sentiment against color in the
South may be unfort and to be de-.
pIored. but the vital sfAct lss that it ex-
lists. isHuniversal. and riot sdsnsthe growth
of centuries. It may ssxear out, but can
not be cut out. Mr.. Roosevelt may buck
against it. but neither he nor. any other
President. neither Congress, nor the Re
publican party can overcome 1t. He can
no more enforce political equality of the
races in. the matter. of otf!ce-holding.
which is not constitutional right of any
citizen. black or white. than he can ens
! force social equality. Any strenuous at
tempt to DO SO will simply intensity
| prejudice. against color, embitter race
feeling and cause sectional strife. in
all of which the negro viii inevitably be
the greatest sufferer.
49, g.
hing consideration Of policy. ! It is rec
ognized International principle and ea-
tablshed usage that q diplomatic repre-
sentative must be. irrespectively Of merit
, or worth. persona grata. to the govern.
ment and people to which he is credited.
For this instance the President re-
called the first consul he sent to Havana.
Now the same principle should apply to
such prominent Federal officials as col
tectors and postnasters. who are brought
into close touch with the people Like
diplomatic representa- tive. their useful
ness depends in q Iarse measure On their
acceptability.
It matters not what the personal OBJ
/, jections may be: II It Is shared by the
community and the appointment Is obnox-
ious to the citizens that is enough Is
, render. it unfit and lmpolttic. especially
in view Of the fact that there are plenty
of other men as well qualified and per-
sonally unobjectionable. Would President
Roosevelt think Of forcing upon New
/ York. Boston, Philadelphia. or San Franz
cisco collector .or postmaster against
the unanimous protest of business men
and citizens? Why is not leading South
ern city entitled to equal considera ton
lie recalled Consul Bragg from Havana
because he was not aeceptableS to the
Cuban people. Why not recall the Eomi-
nation Of Dr.. Crum from the Senate be-
cause 1t IS obnoxious to the citizens OF
Charleston? s.sss IS Z
II Is an issue Of more than local COM
Germ, and OF far reaching consequence.
The Charleston appointment and the IN
dianola affair have stirred Southern feel
ing as II has not been stirred for years.
Both were unwise and uncalled for steps
In policy which can only mean serious
mischief and cannot be abandoned too
soon for the good of the negro. as well
as the white people OF the South and the
entire nation. II ts ia be hoped that the
Preaident will retracs his steps before
4 bittsr sectional Discussion 8 psaroked
"a the Senate.
sscap ~ for M. Raessselt
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