The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-09-01
Mr.. Roosevelt and Social Equality

Raleigh Times.
We have never believed that any
decent white man with average in
telligence really believed in his heart
of hearts that social equality between
the races was to be desired. Ii the
negro $ interest alone were considered
nothing could so effectually destroy
him off the face OF the earth as the
esta blishing of such unnatural rela
tions. SO it's really the enemy OF
the colored people, as a whole, as
we'll as of the whitepeople, who would
advocate such a mOnstrOus, such a
revolving condition. Aforce bill was,
as we all remember, passed at one
time, with a view to accomplishing
this despicable end. The courts, how
ever, said no such legislation could
stand, and so the matter seemed to
end. We are glad to remember Il
number of Republicans, then i'll Con-
gress, and others who were not, who
had the wisdom to vote against and
| talk against the measure while before
CONGRESS-, which act has been remem-
bered with more Or less favor bytheir
bitterest political opponents. The
! people Of this country honor more
| and more the decision which stopped
this wicked design of bad men.
1t would indeed have been serious
matter if the law had decreed other
wise 1t would have been a case OF
disregarding law, and a resort to the
shotgun to prevent what the law
would have sanctioned. But, after
all, is not the late position OF the
President and the method which he
took to break down the social rela-
tions which have existed III the past,
and which must forever exist in the
future more insidious, and more dan
rerOus to our social life, than the
passage of any law however positive,
however we'll authenticated? The
law itself is powerless before an ell
ragged and determined public sentl-
ment. Such a sentiment in the minds
of intelligent but outraged men, IS like
the wrath of the lord, terrible, III
yincible. What we have said in a
general way, we apply to Mr.. Roose
yelt. the President of this country, II
particular. We have no thought he
believes in social equality with that
wicked and monstrous disregard o
what is decent and sacred, that some
have pictured him. But on the othe
hand he has come to his present posi-
. ton through two influences: in tn
) first place. he thought to feign sOcia
5 equality would aid him in securln!
: the Presidency a second time. Thl
: was. we think, his great incentive. l
= the second place, he is influence
/ greatly by a spirit OF reckless, heroic
|, daring. which causes him to dlsregar
that which exists, it matters not ho'
;, sacred its history nor how dear it
u associations. It's this that cause
. his own party to fear him and dout
;. his wisdom. The thought we wal
II to leave with our readers is, that NJ
'e Roosevelt has taken the only po
IL sible method that can ever be su
t cessful in breaking down the socl
h relations between the races. ii lndet
>e this can do so. 1t can never be dol
Sc bv civil law, nor by military powe
Il, Southern men would openly al
9d boldly defy the law, and would die
the cannon smouth, rather than su
u render their conviction in this matte
al The danger of evil. as we'll as the ho
&c of reform. is that it shall col
III through the influence and cOnsta
5. efforts of the individual.
ed The example of Mr.. Roosevelt,