Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-02-27
LEGlSLATE FOR AMERICANS
Plea against Dissemination he
tween whites md blacks.

Washington. Feb. G-David j. Foster.
| representative from Vermont, put him
self very decidedly into the lmc-light on
Saturday when he took issue with Mr..
I IIenin of Alabama upon the question OF
the use Of separate cars for the white
and black races on the street railways
OF the city of Washington It was no
small matter to stand up and speak
straight from the shoulder upon q uucs-
ton of not only national breadth but
even of world wide significance. This
speech was directed against an amend
| ment offered by Mr. Helm advocating
tho above law. In answer Mr.. Foster
said:
II rise TO oppose It. not merely in be-
half of the few colorcd voters in my dis
trct. but in behalf OF all the people
there, whatever their race or their party
| affiliations. | protest against it az un-
American, as unworthy of our Goth cen
fury civilization. Tho gentleman from
| Alabama insists that ne airs no preju-
| dces in urging the amendment No pro
! judice prompts me to oppose It, | rccog-
| nize the problem that exists in many Of
| the states Of the Union. | conccde the
| right to the people of each of these
States to solve the problem for them
! selves. | may differ with them to the
wisdom of their solution-as to whether
| they select tho best solution. But no
| state problem is involved here. This is
the national government legislating for
| the capital city Of the nation. In this
( House we represent S0,0oo,cO of sovereign
American people and We are Legislative
| for 3oo.0m sovereign American people.
M I
rccrcant to my constituents If | did not
| oppose the enactment Of a law which
would divide the people of Washington
when they go to take street car into
| two classes
This is Washington's birthday, n holt
| day observed by state and nation in
honor Of the memory Of the Great
| Father Of his country He founded the
nation. TO him moro than to any other
one man is due the adoption of the
Constitution by the people Of the Uni
ted States. The first purpose of that
constitution, as appears from its pre-
ambie. was to secure more perfect I'M
ion of tho American people. And to-
dav. after nearly a century and quar-
tion the gentleman from Alabama would
| to tho world by solemn enactment that
the American people residing in this city
are composed of two classes who must
be kept separate when they ride in stree,
cars. We might al least choose some
other day on which to confess that in
order to secure harmony and content
mont in the national capital Of tho great
republic it is necessary to enact Il law
that VIII enable the white people to ride
in their car ana compel the colored
people to ride in theirs.
II am not here to discuss conditions
in Alabau.a. As indicated before.
conccdc to that state the right to solve
it's own problems. But so long rs
remain a member of this House I will
not submit, without protest. to the
enactment of a law that recognizes the
existence Of classes among the people
of our country. Liberty under law
law enlightened by liberty has been
the watchword Of the American people
This means. on the one hand, liberty
resting upon organized Institutions
through which the humblest as well
az the mightiest may enjoy the fullest
opportunity for growth and develop
mont IT means, on the other tho en-
actment Of wise laws. laws errbodyinG
the ENLIGHTENED sentiment Of modern
civilization. and then the enforcement
Of those laws alike against the might
lest and the humhlcst. Liberty under
law. law enlightened by liberty. these
twin principles lie at thc Foundation
of our government. They pcrmcatc all
our institutions. Generation after gem
Grafton, with its STRUGGLES, its achieve
monts, its failures, returns TO dust