The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-10
Joe" HENDERSON
WRITES OPEN
LETTER TO Taft

Joseph w. Henderson, editor OF the
lshed here. and National Presideny of
the Douglass Republican association, in
an open letter questions Secretary Taft's
Republicanism and demands an explana-
tion OF his action In indorsing President
Roosevelts discharge OF the negro
soldiers at Brownsville.
The writer cites three instances in
which. he declares. Secretary Taft showed
that his RepubIicanism was questionable.
and invites some statement to prove the
sccretarys "soundness" on the negro
question. The letter is in part as follows:
Il have in this particular communica-
ton two grievous charges TO make
against you. In making these charges
may be wrong or l may be right. If
am wrong, / seek light by which may
get right; II right, I appeal TO your con-
science for an open and public confcs-
sion.
The two charges / make against you
are these: That your Republicanism is
questionable; that you are unsound on
the race question In consideration of
"
are genuine Republican | would further
charge that you have publicly voted the
Democratic ticket three times.
You publicly voted the Democratic
ticket at Akron, O., i'm 1905. when you de-
livered the un-Republican speech that
defeated Gov. Myron T. Herrick for re-
eeetion as Republican governor and
that defeated the Republican city ticket
of Cincinnati
You publicly voted the Democratic
ticket when In your Tuskegee speech you
advised colored men to divide their votes,
which. of course, meant for them 10 vote
the Democratic ticket.
You publicly voted the Democratic
ticket when you, in your Greensboro, n.
C., speech before the Republican state
convention. July 10. 1906. said that federal
offices should be given to Democrats and
not to Republicans; again, you have
placed yourself out of sentiment touch
with Republican leaders when you un-
specifically advocated tariff revision.
while President Roosevelt. following the
craftsmanship lead of Senator Joseph h.
Foraker, declared himself i'm favor OF let
ting the tariff alone.
In thus opposing the presidents tariff
policy. you not only submit yourself 10
being criticised as reactionary. but from
n tariff point OF view have placed your
self more nearly upon a Democratic than
Republican platform.
Nih6thSs VI ilit us
honorable discharge OF the colored SOL
diers, Is now an unpleasant part OF cur
rent history. AS secretary of war YOU
are officially connected with the unjus-
unable national tragedy. You not only
Endorsed every act of President Roosevelt
In regard to the kick-out of the colorcJ
soldiers, but in your official report YOU
supported the condemnation act because
OF the alleged guilt OF some.
After tho lapse of months can you
point TO single piece of evidence PROV
ing the guilt OF a single soldier? n. In
the absence OF any evidence. you stub
poinly believe that some of the soldiers
uid the shooting-up of Brownsville. do
You believe that all of them did L.?
III YOU do not believe that all OF tho
colored soldiers shot UP Brownsville do
YOU not believe that tins greet govern
ment OF the United States. through the
presidents action, has punished innocent
defenders OF the flag and that you have
on'claily indorscd this punishment?
In view OF these facts Mr.. Taft do
you really think that the Southern negro
delegates could honestly support you I'm
The national Republican convention?
Even II you incidentally got the convcn-
ton nomination. do you really believe
that the colored masses I'm Rhode Island.
connecticut, New York. New Jersey Del
aware Ohio and Indiana would support
you at the polls with that sufficient en-
thusiasm and solldity that would guaran-
tee your election?'