Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-12-20

coIored men who actively or passivcly
shield the colored criminal from the law.
In the cas-: of these companies we mao
to deal with men who in the first place
were guilty of what was practically the
worst possible form Of lynchins-for n
lynching is in its essence laWlcSS ana
mob for real or fancicd wrongs-and who
in the second place covered up the crime
of lynching by standing with a vicious
solidarity to protect the criminals. .
1t is of the utmost Importance ITO all
our people that We shall deal with each
man on his merits as Il man, and not
deal with him merely as Il member OF Il
given race; that we shall Judge each man
by his conduct and not his color. This
is important for the white man. and lit is
far more important for the colored man
More evil and sinister counsel never was
given to any people than that given to
co!ored men by those advisers. whether
black or white. who. by apology and con-
donation. encourage cnduct such as tina.
of the three companies in question. If
the COlored men elect TO stand by Grim
iuals of their own race because they are
of their own race. they assuredly lay up
for themselves the most dreadful day of
reckoning. Every farsighted friend of the
colored race in it's efforts to strive on
ward and upward. should teach first. as
the most important lesson. alike to tho
white man and the black the duty of
treating thc individual man strictly on
his worth as he shows it. Any COnduc-
by colored people which tends to SubSti-
tute for this rule the rule Of standing by
and shielding IN evil doer because he is
a member of their race. means the inev-
liable degradation of the colorcd race 1t
may and probably does mean damage
to the white race, but it means ruin to
the black race.
Throughout my term of service in the
Presidency 7 have acted on the principle
thus advocated. In the North as in the
South l have appointed colored men of
high character to office. utt arly disregard
ing the protests of those who would have
kept them out of Office because they were
colored men. So far as was in my power
/ have sought to secure for the cOlOred
people all their rights under the law.
/ have done all ! could to secure then.
equal school training when young, equal
opportunity to earn Their livelihood. and
achieve their happiness wher old
have strivcn to break up peonage: 1 have
upheld the hands Of those who, like
Judge Jones and Judge Speer have
warrcd AGAINST this peonagc. because I
would hold myself nrfiI to bn President
If did not feel the same revolt at wrong
done q colnred man as 7 feel at wrong
done a white man. I have condemned
in unstinted terms the crime Ct lvnchinc
pnrpetrated ty white men. and should
take instant advantage Of anv onpOrtun'-
tv whereby / could bring to juStc. q mob
of lyncherS. In precisely the same sprit
/ have now acted with reference 20 these
colorcd men who have been guilty Of n
black and daStardly crime. In one policy.
as liz the other I do not claim a ia
vor. brrt 7 challenge as n right. the SUD-
port Of every citizen of this country.
whatever his color provided only he has
in him the shirt of genuine and far
sighted patriotism.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
The White HOUSE,
December -. 1906