Richmond planet., 1903-03-21
MR.. EDMUNDS DISAGREES.

NIX. EDM UNDS UlSAGREES.
Does Not Believe the President is
Weakening.-Spicy References--The
Offices in the Southland.
Davenport, Ia, March, 9, 1908.
Editor John Mitchell, Jr.,
Richmond, Va.
Dear Sir:-In the PLANET of March 8,
1908, / noticed question and COM
mentary, ''Is the President Weaken
ing?" |, for one, beg leave and space to
answer this question from a non parts
an standpoint, In answer to S me l
will say, No. Emphatically, no. And
in my weak manner we will review the
cause of the above query, viz: The
letter of Hon. Theodore Roosevelt to
Mr.. C.Howel, Editor of the Atlanta Con-
stitution. In this letter Mr.. Roosevelt
explains his attitude toward the colored
politicians of the South by request of
Mr.. Howell. You say that the Presi-
dent had begun a policy that would
eventually exclude or virtually exclude
all colored men from political offices in
the South Your foundation is this:
''In making appointments have sought
to consider the feelings of the people of
each territory so far as l could consis-
tently do so without sacrificing princi-
pies" Now in my opinion that is all
right. To consider the wants of the
t,sI,,;i,t, 81 large ;s the Presidents irdis-
pensable duty. The Government is
(supposedly) for the people, of the peo-
pie and by the people Now why
should the President not consider the
majority of the people legitimately?
Even if the results are not exactly to
suit our fancy the majority rules and
must rule, and must be considered by
the head of auy body. So long as this
majority is in accord with law and or.
der This, in my opinion, is what the
President means when he says,-"Con-
slider the feelings of the people" There
is no necessity of the colored man land
ing ON his head.
MUST BE CONSERVATIVE.
The Negro must be conservative in
his Judgment and actions and he will
always be on his feet. Don't be too
radical or we may iniure = GOOD $50,
Now consider Tex, it, lease, what
he (the President) said about or IN re-
gard TO this, sacrificing principles.
The statement, ''The prime tests
which i have applied have been those of
character, fitness, and ability" The
statement does not infer that the "prin-
ciple" is political, but character and
ability as has been demonstrated time
and again by Mr. Roosevelt. "And
when have been dissatisfied with what
has been ordered within my own party
lines have without hesitation, gone to
the opposite party" j say in true
western style Bravo Teddy, BRAVO"
You are right Mr.. Editor; when You
say the above is a fine statement-It is
a statement that has been lived .up-to by
the President.
REFERENCE TO THE DEMOCRATS
You speak of the Democrats appoint
ing the worst of 'po' white trash, -
rather than the very ablest Negro. Well
the southern Democrat does it but
Theodore Roosevelt never did and never
will.
His sentiment and practice is, If you
have character and ability, it matters
not what your color is, you are heartily
welcome toany Governmental, Plums''
in other werds federal appointments.
Isn't he right? If not, why not? for
one say, if Negro has political aspirat-
ions, first let him fit himself for the
positions to which he aspires. And if a
white man has the same aspirations let
MIN uI n1mSelI also.
Let character and ability be the,
foundation of all Office seekers. That's
why the courts of this country are SO
very corrupt. We have, as a nation so
many would-be leaders that have
neither the character or ability.
REFERENCE TO THE SUIT.
Would you, Mr.. Editor; have been
willing to trust that famous $40, 900 Ten
Thousand Dollars) suit in court with a
practical black smith for counseli No.
no, you employed Mr.. Wise, consider
him one of the best lawyers in Virginia. |
Neither is Mr.. Roosevelt willing to APP !
point man white or colored, democrat
or republican unless he is fit for the
appointment.
Again l say am very sorry YOU of
the South have misunderstood Mr.. !
Roosevelt. Let us consider next. ''The
most significant part of his letter ''I
ask you to judge not by what | have
said but by what / have done"
D You say you don't know what he has
done. Well follow me for awhile. In
the Indianola Post Office case he closed
the Post Office until the citizens and
authorities accepted this colored lady as
their post mistress, with ample protect |
ION guaranteed. That was fine deed.
Yes, noble deed And a deed that
was done in the face of old, ''Pitch- Fork |
Tillman," the world renown Negro
hater.
THE APPOINTMENT OF DIR. CRUM.
Next he appointed DR.. Crum collector
IF port at Charleston, s. O., the Senate
committee rejected it, two republicans |
voting with democrats. Now since the
Of this extra session, Presi- |
dent Roosevelt has sent DR.. Crum's |
name up there again What does this |
show? That Mr.. Roosevelt is determin.
ed that DR.. Crum shall be confirmed. |
because he is worthy in every respect. |
Now you can see what he has done.
T. Thomas Fortune got nice little |
job under the Roosevelt administration.
These things should not be overlooked |
by a conservative public aud especially
4, Nf