The Washington herald., 1907-08-12

IUST IL, 1902.
saved HIS physical life on the battle field. &"
After alluding to the Presidents stand
in the appointment Of DR.. Crum. the
matter Of the Indianola past-office. and the
Booker Washington ineident. Prof Mil
Ter says:
but It must be said that these evi-
dences OF friendship and good will have
not been systematic and sustained. nor
followed up to their logical conclusion.
Roosevelt never surrenders. but often
seems to evacuate his stronghold as soon
as he has demonstrated the enemys in
ability 20 capture H. In the final esti-
mate OF history. II his reputation falls
short Of superlatiye greatness, il will be
because he lacks consecutiveness and
persistence Of purpose and policy. He is
not permanently welded TO any one
question as the dominant note OF his ca
reeE. He suddenly takes up a measure.
settles II, and drops II, and goes IN quest
Of Issues new. And so in dealing with
the negro. His scheme OF selecting ref
erees with whom to consult on political
dealings In the South IS something new
under the political sun.
DR.. Booker T. Washington has been
chosen as referee at large and as the
sole spokesman for the entire negro race
His selection was not due TO his political
activity or experience, for the whole
tenor Of his teaching has been 10 per
suade his race TO place less proportional
stress on politics and concentrate
Is rot.
and material But by reason Of
his general prominence and the
worldwide esteem he was put IN COM
mand Of political forces.-to the relegation
OF war-scarred veterans who had borne
the heat and burden Of the day. Othello
naturally objects 10 his loss of occupa-
ton. Most OF them have yielded, but
only after they learned that the only
road to official favor was the straight
and narrow path that leads to Tuskegee.
Should succeeding administrations fol-
low Mr.. Roosevelts example in this re-
gard, the negro would remain in per
petual thraldOm TO an intermediary boss
set up at the whiIn or caprice of whoever
happens to be President.
Strangely enough. one Of the most
significant moves OF the President affect
ing the political life Of the negro has
almost or wholly escaped attention. He
has shifted the center Of gravity from
the South TO the North Hitherto the i'm
portant Federal places accorded the negro
have gone 70 persons below the Mason
ana Dixon line would seem from
present tendency that there are to be no
more new negro appOintees IN the
south, but merely a continuance in Office
OF those officials against whom local
democratic protest is not too loud and
boisterous. In a few years there VIII not
be negro Federal official south OF the
Mason ana Dixon line
Affairs at brownsville.
The chief irritating issue between the
President and the negro race is the out
come OF a most deplorable incident. A
negro battalion was quartered In an OBJ
scure town on the remote frontier of
Texas. One dark night some shooting
was done in the streets, resulting in the
death of a barkeeper and the wounding
OF an officer CT the law. The alarm was
sounded that the negro soldiers have
shot up the town
"A food OF righteous Indignation welled
up within him al this outrage upon the
national arm. He would teach the wrong
doers a lesson which would never be for
gotten. The color OF the offenders, he
stoutly AYERS, neither mitigHted nor mag
uifed the character Of the offense in his
mind The discipline Of the army must
be upheld. II is easy 20 believe that the
Presidents conduct at this stage was not
based upon consideration Of color He
is himself Of a military mold Of mind. in
military matters. as elsewhere. ne Is
law unto himself, and has little rever-
ence for those above, around, or beneath
him. He skaters a military idol with as
little hesitancy as he would reprimand
common soldier. Did he not criticise and
the sagacity of his own COM
manding general With a little round
robin? The man who spoke disparagingly
OF the troops who saved his life on the
battle field. who unceremoniously reprl-
manded Gen Miles the gallant head OF
the army and hero Of many battles. who
imputed cowardice 10 Admiral Schley. our
only naval hero who has triumphed with
modern guns over modern arms. might
be supposed TO act vigorously in
a case OF reported wrong at
Foraker TO the Rescue.
1HcH Cdliie senator oraker, Ike a gal
ant knight OF old. and stepped into the
arena as the champion Of the helpless
and overborne The voice Of 100000
Americans. unheard and unheeded in the
conduct OF the nations affairs. found ex-
preston In this eloquent and fearless
0hioan. The country and the Senate
sided with Mr.. Foraker. although by The
nice amenities Of legislative verbiage they
refrained from Woundiag The Presidential
pride
The President became Incensed. at the
persistent attitude OF the colored race,
and in several special messages reiterated
his innuendoes with redoubled vim and
emphasis. Senator Foraker became the
principal object of his wrath 1t was ru- !
nored that at a social function, where /
secrecy was imposed upon all present. al
personal coiloquy between the two was
sharp and bitter All OF this served 10 /
make Senator Foraker the hero and idol /
of the negro heart. Roosevelt lost what 1
Foraker gained. The Ohio Senator is the /