The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-31
GOSSIP FROM NEW YORK Senator Chauncey Depew Makes Brilliant Speech on
 St 'Ihe New Amercanism"-A Phase of City Life sG
BY JOHN MARTHoL.

New York May 30.-The third annual dinner of the Sons and Daughters of North Carolina at the rf-Astoria, at which MT. B. N. Duke presided, had for the chief speaker of the evening Sem ator Simmons. who succeeded Senator Butler in the senate. On MT. Dukes left was seated Dr. George T. Winston, presi- dent of the North Carolina college of agriculture and Mechanical artS. At the speakers table sat many very prominent men, among them Senac9r Chauncey M. Depew. Senator Simmons, with prepared speech, replied to the toast: "The Race Problem" He dealt with the question from the southern point of view and referred the improved status of the ne- gro as an ''unattainable ideal and a de- lusive hope" The senator was plain spolx- en. He intended so to be. His object was to secure broadcast publicity for his views hence he stated them tersely and forcefully. They were received with i'm mense enthusiasm. He appeared to voice the unanimous sentiment of the assem- bled company.
 In due time Senator Depew was called upon. It was q trying moment for the junior senator from New York. The views he had heard expressed were not his views. He did not wish to appear to en- dorse them. As a guest he did not wish to appear out of harmony with the senti- ment of his entertainers. His natural courtesy, his habit of being agreeable made task, or a duty to be performed exceedingly difficult As he stood in his place those who knew him saw that be- hind his pleasant smile, thoughts other than those of being humorous were oc- cupying him. A serious look banished the smile. and with grace and courtesy he made this startling speech: While I do not purpose engaging in any debate with the distinguished senator from North Car olina, I feel constrained to say, that while have the pride of all Americans in the achievements of the great white sons of North Carolina, yet believe that one of the greatest men the south has ever produced is that one of dark skin who rose from slavery to found that great school at Tuskegee."
 A stiffness reigned. Not a word was spoken. It was a critical moment But Depew was brave Looking about him Senator Depew without finching con tinued: And want to say that l believe that the work which Booker Washington is doing will do more to solve the race problem in the south, and solve it cor rectly, than any effort of politicians sentimental theorists" The diners watch ed him in silence. Depew paused. He had repudiated the utterances of all the speakers. Then, after a few seconds some of the company applauded. Later, in his speech, the senator said "I have noticed that within a few years, since the Span- ish-American war, since the boys of the south and the boys of the north march, ed behind the generals who won their spurs in fighting for a lost cause in the civil war, new Americanism has sprung up, an Americanism that was born amid the smoke-rift and swamps of Cuba, developed and grew stronger in the moun- tains and among the rice-felds of Ma niia, and which ripened into full man. hood before the walls of Pekn, an Amer icanism that has spread all over this land from the battery wall to the Golden Gate which finds a new meaning in the coun- try that is ours, and which although 1t makes it possible for us to sing with