Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-03-14


Tense, great deal may be said. There
can be no doubt that the pressure
brought TO bear upon him TO adopt this
policy is tremendous. He is a Republi-
can President, and the Republican Par
ty still cherishes strong sentimental
interest in the welfare of the 'dusky
millions in the Southern States"
We are of the opinion that this policy
is not resented by the great mass of PEG
pie who support the government. but
on the other hand is demanded by it.
Inasmuch as party platforms are taken
as an index of party principles, we do
not see that Mr.. ROOSEVELT can do 9th
erwise than bow to them, inasmuch as
he is pledged to stand upon them. The
bulk of the support of the national gov
eminent comes from the North
We are gratified to learn that Mr..
ROOSEVELT is a Republican President,
elected by the Republican Party. There
seems to be a prevailing impression
among some of his referees that he is a
Republican President in the North and
a Democratic President in the South
elect, d by the Republican Party of the
whole country.
This journal continues:
"In certain Northern Commonwealth
the Negro vote is political factor that
has TO be recognized and reckoned with.
To refuse to appoint Negroes to office
at the South would invite the opposi-
ton of the Negro vote at the North
The President knows this. His politi-
cal advisers thoroughly understand it. "
This is also very satisfactory informa-
ton to us. We are partially under the
impression that some of these Negro
hating Republicans had forgotten it. We
are saved the trouble of reminding them
of the fact.
And again:
"Mr. Roosevelt knows also that the
Negro electorate is, taken as mass,
ignorant, vicious and venal. He real
ICES that the granting of the suffrage to
the black race was a mistake"
If Mr.. ROOSEVELT knows and be-
ieves all of this, we should like to see
the letter addressed to some southern
Democrat in which he has said it. The
ratio of ignorance, viciousness and ven
atty is just about the same as it is
among white men of similar stan ding
IN the community. The epfranchise-
-,1ent of ti2s Negro was ret = mistake.
His progress, his wealth. his education,
was under the spur of this incentive OF
citizenship.
1t says further:
HE recognizes that Negro domiua-
ton in any American community
means little less than carnival of cor.
ruption in the administration of gov
eminent. He does not desire that the
Negro shall be permitted TO dominate.
He is not IN favor Of permitting igpo-
rance TO rule intelligence, or wee to
rule virtue"
Ignorance cannot rule intelligence.
As to the carnival of corruption, any
man who lives or is conversant with
the present management of the govern
nuulCIDdllIlcS
and northern ones too for that matter.
as is evidenced by the periodic move
ments of the Reformers, would hardly
venture any comment upon such deli
cate subject. 1t continues:
HE understands that the very ark of
the covenant of civilization ON the
North American continent mas been en-
trusted TO the keeping of the white
race, and he would doubtless be the
last man TO entrust Amer lean institu-
tions and American liberties to persons
other than Caucasians. His admins
tratlve acts-his determination to ap-
point 20 office only Negroes of character
and lntellgence-conclus prove
that he believes in white supremacy"
and that he studiously deprecates what
is known as Negro domination.
If his appointment of Negroes of
character and intelligence to office
proves that he believes in white SUI
why do you and your Negro
hating coterie oppose every such Negro
ne dominates, pausing not in your con-
of Prof. BOOKER T. WASH
NGToN himself? The SAVIOUR called
your kind of people" hypocrites. He
'aid too, These people honoreth me
with their lips, but their hearts are far
rom me-" 1t then attempts to sugar
,oat" the President in the following
language:
go much may be said-and said truly
in behalf of Mr. Roosevelt, and this
acknowledges now what it
has been prompt and emphatic to recog-
lize heretofore, that in many respects
he President has served his country
his whole country-and served it we'll |
We only regret that his excellent work
work that gave promise for lasting
sood-should have been marred by in |
irmities of Judgment so fatal.
The President says that though he is |
surprised and panied he is not even in |
he least degree angry with the South. |
That sentiment is truly reciprocated by |
he Southern people. White Americans |
If the Southern States are not angry /
With Mr.. Roosevelt, but they are most |
surprised and most poig- |
lantly panied by his policy. Indeed the |
'outcry that has gone up from the South |
,lnca the black inn:dant tcoI- ,Dlooo :.