Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-01-15
Ben TiIIman on the BrownviiIe Episode.

| temperate in it's tone than, anything
| that was anticipated from that source.
| was, at tine same time, distinctly be-
low the Senator's usual standard Of
| ability. Notwithstanding his disre-
gard of the conventions that usually
prevail in public life, and his tempes-
| tuous and highly explosive methods
| of meeting opposition. Mr.. Tillman is
| unquestionably a man of intellectual
strength and honesty of purpose. He
is one of the recognized leaders Of his
party-perhaps THE leader of it in the
United States Senate. 1t is to he said.
| make so weak, and fiabby and alto
gether illogical a speech as that on the
Brownville affair. A production SO
full of the bigOtry of narrow preju-
dice, and so destitute of ideas was un-
worthy of Mr.. Tillman, and unworthy
of the United States Senate. He start
ed in by asserting that the men of the
25th Infantry who have stood as unit
in shielding a gang of cold-blOoded
murderers in their midst were not
guilty OF mutiny and treason, as
charged by the president or indeed of
any other offense known to the arti-
cles of war.
Having been thwarted by this con-
spiracy in his attempt to discover the
real criminals it appeared to be the
judgment of Mr. Tillman that the Presi-
dent should have abandoned the whole
matter, and said no more about it.
In the course of his remarks Senator
Tillman read a letter from the Presi-
dent inclosing a contribution of 500
TO bring a civil suit against an enter
tainment place in Newport that had
barred out sailors in uniform. The
President, Mr. Tillman asserted, with
tnunderOus emphasis, preached the
doctrine of absolute equality prospect
i've of COLOR despite the fact that here
Senator Nelson interrupted to ask if
to white men in uniform.
Certainly not" Senator Tillman
replied.
Then why deny them to colored
men," Nelson asked.
Because God Almighty made them
black and not white" was Tillman's
answer, and the audience laughed.
Il won't make a logical answer to
good many questions l shall be asked
here" he added, which was the most
conspicuous truth in his whole speech.
Indeed his address may be examined
from beginning to end under very
strong microscope, without discover
ing anything in the slightest degree
resembling logic. Having asserted
that the conspiracy to shield the
Brownville murderers did not con-
stitute an offense known to the articles
of war Mr.. Tillman proceeded to
rOundly abuse President Roosevelt for
having entertained Rev. Booker 4.
Washington at dinner.
Now we do not know what business
it is of Senator Tillman, what guests
the President sees fit to invite to his
table. There is no law which obligcs
him to ask the permission of Mr.. Till
man or anyone else. The selection is
his. and he has the absolute and I'M
questionable right to exercise it as he
sees fit. Booker T. Washington is one
of the greatest of American Citizens
the recognized spiritual and intellect
ual leader of more than 10000, 900 native
born Americans. He is infinitely the SUI
ture. in breadth of view, and in all the
little amenities that constitute the re-
finements of civilization. President
Roosevelt was not the first great
American to do honor to Booker T.
Washington. The great negro educa-
tor and leader has been entertained by
country. When he last lectured in this
city he was the guest Of the late Hon.
Joseph H. Manley who took great
personal pleasure in extending to him
| the hospitality Of his home He is
man who is held in the highest esteem
by all citizens of this republic big
| enough and broad enough to recognize
true worth and distinguished achieve
ment, and to place them above the
mere fact of color.
Such people will everywhere read
Tillman's speech with disgust. and it
is to be hoped that he will himself, up
| on more mature reflection. have the
grace to be ashamed of it.
The Cost Of Prison Diet.