The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-08-26
A MAN AMONG Mcand too

Mr. EDITOR hn'ot be made at
of looking over ~ political party
NJ. ,".S ~ ~ ID Expected to regard it
= week YYYeesssfEsE ROOSEVELT GRIMES.
What then? 1 can perhaps best
illustrate my view Of q proper or hope
full policy, In this regard, by referring
to certain we'll 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 ID the Booker Wash
ington Incident, (2) the Crum appoint
ment at Charleston, and (3) the Indi-
anola postof1ice affair. OF his conduct
in each of these cases l thoroughly
disapprove, and / will tell you why.
(D THE FIRST INCIDENT
was an invitation by the President to
Mr.. Washington to lunch at the
White House, an invitation which was
accepted. l have already spoken OF
the feeling universal or nearly so,
emong the Wit -,nnnla of e',~ ii
,n th'i matt II. q ..oJlaI Eet =.
Whether the feeling isl just or un-
just, natural or Fictitious, we'll found
ed or mere prejudice, I do not now
and here stop to inquire. It exists.
1t merely becomes intensified by every
act Of defiance of it; and 1t is quite
beyond the reach of legal or political
treatment. Under these conditions 1
gay emphatically that it Is unwise, a
wanton and most reckless "playing
with fire." to do any act In this rela-
tion which conspicuorsly affronts the
white people Of our South. 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-
a very small eXtent-a sense of duty,
proprety, and official decorum should
have restrained the President from
giving the invitation. Mr.. Washing
ton seems to me quite guiltless of
offence. He could not be expected TO
decline the Presidents invitation,
though am glad to add that L be-
lieve MIR. Washington has, In his own
relations and conduct, always recog-
nized the feeling of our Southern
white people and has scrupulously de-
ferred to 1t. l shall not fail to add
here that probably no. man appreciates
the ability and great services Of Mr..
Washington, his social and personal
worth, more highly than / do; but
that the President failed Of his duty,
acted contrary to good judgment, or
h1u nfn n1 In,
Spirit prefer the former alterna-
tive-is perfectly clear to me. 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
tons 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 his
labors lie and where his hope depends.
Mr.. Carnegie may pension him and
Northern friends may applaud the
President; but however magnificent il
may be, it is not war; it will bring
nothing but Injury TO the work so
auspiciously carried Oh up to that
point at Tuskagee. Does some one
here ask me, Must we forbear to treat
Mr.. Washington as his merits entitle
him TIC be treated? Must we sacrifice
our senses of right and Justice in such
matters to the prejudices OF the white
people OF the South, | answer, Yes, II
you are in an Official position where
your acts concern and affect the peo-
pie generally. The President Of the
united States has no right as matter
or duty or policy, to atfront large
section OF the nation, even II he does
not personally share their sentiments
on 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
or Others, and be willing to accept
without complaint the cenSure Of
those whose feelings you wound. IL
this feeling, be 1t mere prjudice or
something better or worse, is ever to
pass away, It's passing will not he hast
ened or elected by defiance of 1t, least
OF all by defiance Of it On the part of
thosc who are our national public ofli-
GERS. Not tie bitter blast of wind
but the genial penetration Of the
SUMS warmth will finally, If anything
Will, cause the putting off Of his cloak,
whatever be It's moral texture.
w THE APPOINTMENT OF DIR. CRUM.
negro, as collector CT the port of
charleston Is an act OF another char
acter. In this case the apologists Of
the President can make no claim, as
Is sometimes made In the Booker