The colored American., 1903-02-28
CRUM'S CLAIM URGED
Local Colored Men Appeal to
President and Senate-Vital
Precedent InvoIv d


Of DR.. Crum, nominated for collector
Of the port of Charleston, S. c., which
was sent to members of the Senate,
has been furnished to the President.
1t is signed by p. B. S. Pinchback,
Charles B. PurvIs, NJ. D.; John F.
Cook Kelly Miller andWhitfield Nc
Kinley, all of this city, and urges DR..
Crum's confirmation because of the
exceptional interest excited in the
case, and precedent an adverse de-
cision would establish, and the great
and financial principle involved in its
correct settlement
The memorial continues:
After most searching inVeStiga-
ton of his private and public career,
it is admitted that he is man and
cItfZe2 without reprOach. His inteli-
gence and fitness for the position can
not be truthfully denied This then
reduces the issue to a question of col
or and in our humble judgment the
Senate CT the United States is called
upon to decide whether, If an Amer1-
can citizen who is in all other respects
qualified for the discharge of civic du-
ties his color shall be bar to his po
litical preferment. The widespread
agitation of this matter by the press
it far beyond the personality of DR..
Crum. 1t now involves not only the
future recognition of cOlOred men for
Office, but also the very principles up
on which our government is founded.
Recognition of Constitution.
''The Constitution and laws of our
country, recognize the citizenship OF
the cOlored man. He is a large part
of the productive energies and public
functions of the communities IN
which he resides. Under all circum-
stances he is amendable to the law
and must perform every duty incident
to citizenship. On every battlefield,
from Lexington to San Juan Hill, he
has shed his blood and offered up his
life in defense of his country. Since,
then, there is equality for the colored
man in the requirements of obedience
TO the law and of sacrifice for the Sc
CurIty of the government, should there
not also be equality in the enjoyment
Of such civic hOnOrs as are attainable
by all other citizens of our common
country? Certainly this is what the
war amendments to the Constitution
mean
Attention is then called to the plat
form deCaratlCnS or Cn6 TWO pOllClcal
parties concerning these amendments
to the Constitution, and the petition
continues:
The Democratic party has had full
CONTROL of the governments of the
Southern States for more than a quar-
ter of a century. All their legislation
relative to the colored man has contra
dicted the solemn declaration upon
which they claimed to have won a ma
ion victory in 1876. In several of
the states they have divested the col
ored race of the political rights con-
ferred upon them by the Federal Con
SItution, which they professed to ac-
cept as a settlement of the contro-
Fersies engendered by the civil war.
Not content with proper and whole
some safe gaurds of the franchise ap-
nlcable tC all classes alike, they have
ty cunning devices made their reStric-
lions operative only against the Ne
-ro-- Emboldened by their apparent
success, they now demand that the
coOred man shall not be deemed eli
Sible TO appointment to Office.
Other Appointments of ColCred Men.
The nomination of a co1ored man
ler collector of the port is not eXcep-
uonal- President Harrison apDCinted.