The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-08-24

perS have ever known, paper here.
tofore widely distinguished and widely
influential by reason Of it's reasonable,
sane and conservative views on this
subject, is now calling vigorously on
the Government, and especially on
the Republican party, to take up the
question as a political, partisan issue,
and particularly to put in operation
by Congress what it regards as the
power conferred by the fourteenth
constitutional amendment. In my
Judgment, that way lie danger and
disaster, as they have lain in the past.
II l read Alright, this country cannot
be led to enter again on that path.
The beacons Of warning stand too
thickly along our history since 1865.
As a party issue it cannot be made at
tractive to the only political party
that might be expected to regard it
with favor.
THREE ROOSEVELT CRIMES.
What then? I can perhaps best
illustrate my view Of aproper or hope
ful policy, in this regard, by referring
to certain well known acts Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt in dealing with this
problem. Three Of his conspicuous
acts, related to the negro problem Of
our South, are () the Booker Wash
ington incident, )ths Crum appoint
ment at Charleston, and ~ the Indi-
anola postoffce affair. OF his conduct
in each of these cases I thoroughly
disapprove, and I will tell you why.
Cd THE FIRST INCIDENT
was an invitation by the President to
Mr. Washington to lunch at the
White House, an invitation which was
accepted. I have already spoken OF
the feeling universal or nearly So,
among the white people OF our South
in the matter Of social equality.
Whether the feeling is! just or un-
Just, natural or factitious, well found
ed or mere prejudice, ] do not now
and here stop to inquire. 1t exists.
It merely becomes intensified by every
act Of defiance Of it; and it is quite
beyond the reach Of legal or political
treatment. Under these conditions I
say emphatically that it is unwise, a
wanton an6 most reckless playing
with fire." to do any act in this rela-
tion which conspicuously afronts the
white people of our South. I care not
how clear may be the right OF q pri-
vate individual to act in this matter
according to his own will and choice;
care not if social relations, such as
were established between the President
and Mr.. Washington, are approved at
the North-as they are not except TO
very small extent-a sense OF duty,
propriety, and official decorum should
have restrained the President from
giving TIE invitation. Mr. Washing
ton seems to me quite guiltless Of
offence. He could not be expected to
decline the Presidents invitation,
though am glad 10 add that be-
heve Mr.. Washington has, in his own
relations and conduct, always recog-
nized the feeling Of our Southern
white people and has scrupulously de-
ferred to it. I shall not fail to add
here that probably noman appreciates
the ability and great services Of Mr..
Washington, his social and personal
worth, more highly than I do; but
that the President failed Of his duty,
acted contrary to good Judgment, or
possibly acted in mere wantonresS OF
Spirit prefer the former alterna-
tiye-is perfectly clear to ne. Chris
tian principle, the principle empha-
sized specially by the Apostle Paul,
would have restrained him from this
act, which simply resulted in grave
and widespread injury to Washing
toms cause and to Washington him
self; for he has lost to an appreciable
degree the favor and confidence Of the
white people Of the South, where bis
.abors lie and where his hope depends.
Mr.. Carnegie may pension him and
Northern friends may applaud the
President; but however magnificent it
may be, it is not war; it will bring
nothing but injury to the work so
suspiciously carried on up to that
point at Tuskagee. Does some one
here ask ne, Must we forbear to treat
Mr.. Washington as his merits en5itle
him tc be treated? Must we sacrifice
our senses Of right and justice in such
matters to the prejudices Of the white
people OF the South, l answer, Yes, if
YOU are in an Official position where
your acts concern and affect the peo-
pie generally. The Pre- esioent Of the
United States has no right as matter
Of duty or policy, to afront a large
section Of the nation, even II he does
not personally share their sentiments
OF such point. II you are a private
citizen you may do as you please, With
the constant limitation that you are
bound to be considerate Of the feelings
OF others, and be willing to accept
without complaint the censure OF
those whose feelings you wound. Ii
this feeling, be it mere prjLdice or
something better or worse, is ever to
pass away, it's passing will not be hast
ened or elected by defiance of 1t, least
OF all by defiance Of it On the part OF
those who are our national public cffi-
GERS. Not the bitter blast OF wind,
but the genial penetration of the
suns warmth will finally, if anything
will, cause the putting off Of his cloak,
whatever be its moral texture
(2} THE APPOINTMENT OF DIR. CRUM,
8 negro, as collector Ct the port OF
Charleston is an act OF another cnar-
acter. In this case the apologists If
the President can make no claim, as
is sometimes made In the Booker