The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-04-10
NEGRO
SUFFRAGE
A FAILURE
Henry Wattersoa Discusses tho
Relations Between North and
South at Hamilton Club Dinner

Chicago. April 1o.-Henry Watterson
was the chief speaker last night at the
annual dinner OF the Hamilton Club at
the Auditorium. He spoke on the negro
question and the relations between the
North and South. Speaking OF Presi-
dent Roosevelt. he said;
..The Chief Magistrate OF the United
States is half a southerner and all
rebe, God bless him. and may the LORD
bean hin, IN the path OF wisdom and vir-
tue. ~
want 70 talk TO you tonight, not
q. Democrat TO Republicans. but as
an American 10 Americans ! have al
wavs resisted and resented the idea that
marty lines are lines OF battle; tnat parry
issues are proclamations OF war our
government rests upon the theory that
we are equal shareholders In common
nronerty. Touching the administration OF
th,s nroperty there will always exist nom
e., differences OF opinion. Good cltizeh-
shin imposes upon each or us the duly OF
entertaining his own convictions ana OF
living up 10 them, but he becomes niue
other than n bigot who thinks more OF
himself on this account and loves his
na,gnbor less. because that neighbor. ex-
.rcisInr the same right does the same
thing. IN r..
The 18th Of April 1861. Sumter fell Inc Inc
9th OF April. 1855 Lee surrenoerco' ~
four years Intervening between snU anS
dates marking the beginning and me Di emn
~ the most momentous struggle OF l lnou-
ern times witnessed such an outpourihss s
Of blood and treasure. such uispiag.SS os
courage and endurance, such shctincos
rer' nninion's sake as stagger human
credulity and begRsr alike the powers Oh
computation and recapltulaton' .,.ro
Never in any preceding war was .neLo
- n
..vate generosity: nor ever were me tnsana,
suits OF any war 80 complete ana nnrtn
Elsewhere upon the surface OF me ins ss VET
tvaces NAV vet be seen. sometimes sst
lurking in the hearts OF men sensiplli,Is'
NAV he found. of strifes. religious o' "a
ciai. international or civil, one. Two a"a
three centuries agone; In America noL "
vestige except what springs from assvvI-
ated charities and repicrocal mlnistra-
tions OF patriotism and benevolence,
Northern men and women marx anu
decorate the last resting place or south
ern soldiers who died In federal prisons.
confederate officers sit In both houses
Of congress and upon the bench or the
national judiciary, and have repeateday
served in presidential cabinets and rep
resented the country abroad. Az least
two confederate generals wear the uni
fem OF the United States army glad TO
be assured that the flag which waved
over their cradles shall wave over their
graves.
The chief magistrate OF the United
States is half a southerner and All rebel
God bless him. and may the Lord keep
him In the path OF wisdom ana virtuel
Already over the freside OF many
home hangs the swords OF the grand
father who wore the blue and the grand
BY pious hands as priceless memorials
OF love and valor crossed at last In the
everlasting peace OF reunited family.
To what do we owe these miracles OF
enlightened progress7 Mainly to the good
sense and good feeling. the rich. red
blood OF American manhood; partly TO
the recognition by rejecting and gener-
GUS minds that neither party to that
great sectional conflict had all the right
Of IL. its antagonist ali the wrong. On
this point I can speak with toIerabie as
eurance i belonged to that segment
OF conservative men in the south who
loved the union and did not accept either
the gospel OF African slavery or the dog
ma OF secession
The debate ended, the God OF battel IN
voked to settle what had indeed proved
an irrepressfbie conflict. we went with
our own side. But four years later when
In 1865 all that we had feared In 1861 was
actually come TO pass. we needed no act
OF Congress either for our redemption or
reconstruction.
As God was radiant In the stars that
shone over Washington at Valley Forge.
over Lincoln at Gettysburg, over Grant an
the Wilderness, over the fleets in Manila
Bay and the "bullies'' In front OF Santiago
does His radiance shine upon us. brothers
In blood and arts and arms, whether our
knees go down amid the SHOWS or the
flowers. Long ago the South, forgiving
all, accepted the verdict in perfect faith.
1t is for the North. forgetting all, to seal
II in perfect love