New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-22
JEFFERSON AND THE NEGRO.
An Incident in Career of the Third President
Recalled In Light of Later Occurrences.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: 4 few weeks ago In a statement ex-Presi-
dent Cleveland. in sensational theatrical and al
most tragic manner denied that he had ever in
vited Il negro TO his dining table and thereby
gratihed and placated the vardamans and TfI!mans
Of ex-slave States. President Roosevelt has been
v'l!fed by the sons and friends OF ex-saveholders
+ - ante-war style because he invited Booker T.
Washington to his table I'm Washington
Thomas jefferson is worshipped. and worthlly. by
Democrats annually at a JeTersonian dinner Here
IS an incident not generally known. Julius Mel
boUrn was born a slave near Raleigh y C. on
July 4. I79s He educated and euancipated BY
. the generosity OF lie had one-fourth
negro blood. with n fattened and woolly hair.
After his emancipation letter OF introduction to
Thomas Jefferson. at Monticello was given TO him
~ Mr.. Pendleton. North Carolina lawyer stat
ing that he born a slave. and partially OF
African descent. a quadroon. Ar. Jefferson re-
I ceived him with the utmost kindness and cordial
ity. and he visited him daily for about
week and had the range OF Mr. Jerersous
library: Jefferson. asking him II he had the
building intended for the University OF Virginia,
said he intended that IL should be free for the
instruction OF al and colOrs and he expressed
his deep anxiety Tor the Improvement OF our coll
o-ed brethren
Mr. Jefferson sent him a card Of Invitation 10 din
ner with few friends Among the guests were
Chief Justice Marshall. Mr.. W!rt Attorney General.
Samuel Dexter, OF Boston; Or. Samuel l. Mitchell.
% New-York. and the Rev John Leland, OF Massa-
chusettS. Life or julius Meloourn whose auto
D Hammond. a distinguished lawyer. OF Cherry
tory i,S u SewYor ao pp pus s57g5 OF ne o' ms
& F q Ss Ds ssE bs d'p s
though then, called Republican, that ever lived
and one Of the greatest enemies Of American and
Mr. Mel69grR was also INTRODUCED hy Mr. ., Pen,
and was received by him with great cQrdlaIty ga
i've hundred slaves nraetesy east three hgndTed
submitted to by tie North because 1t was in the
Constitution.
Now, strange to relate many Southern st g9es
vote IN he same respects and these votes ar, are
voters, So that actually the white voters in those
states have more political power than they had
shoud be corrected and no disfranchised person be
in me FIectdraI G"iiese white mans vote in
many OF these states counts as above as many
votes This question affects the equality OF the
white voters OF the North and West II a state
Tor election ii has right TO do so. but such quail
no disfranchisei person should be counted or his
vote given TO the electoral class.
constltuton and now the FogTteenith and Fig
sTforne both by Congress- and the SUPREME Court
No grandfather trick or Other device OF leger-
repeal these amendments. and for the Supreme
Court 70 saw II IS the duty Of Congress is no good
cratic candidate for, the Presidency has adopted
patform let him sin 20 a step further in the
same Repuhlican dire ZION and as ? good lawyer
Justice saving that ne will enforce the Fourteenth
provisions OF the Constitution OF the United states
II is nearly ATTY years since Chief Justice
neero hid no rights which the white man was
bound to resnect-an obter dctum. but stil IT
in Tie Alabama case, (the hfth STRANGELY and in.
expIica ~ being MaSsh6c n9Setts )qstGel that
tribunal which we ali wish 70 honor ana respect.
Albany. July IS 1904.