Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-08-14

brother, and his disposition to
recognize the onerous discrimina-
tons now practiced against the citi-
zens of color all over this broad land
OF ours
Viewed in this light. it will ac-
complish its purpose. SO far as
causing the distinguished occupant
OF the white house 10 swerve one iota
from his pronounced policy. it will
be dismal failure But on the
other hand. If the white public sen
timent of the North could be aroused
70 the extent OF looking at these
questions through the National In
dependent, Political Leagues specta-
cles. then change would be herald
ed by the President in a few months
But who are signing this open let
ter? Let us see: Bishop Alexander
Walters. New York. chairman: VII
liam II. Scott, Woburn. Mass. L. G.
Jordan, Louisville, Ky; J. Il. Wiley.
Providence, r. T.: A. W. Adams
Norwich, Conn; Byron Gunner. Hill
burn. y Y; j. Milton waldron.
Washington, d. c.; Granville Martin.
New York: s I. Corrothers. Wash
ington. d. c.; w Monroe Trotter.
Boston. Mass; Secretary.
These are gentlemen OF education
al ability. influence. and political
power. but they supported Hon. Will
liam J. Bryan for the presidency.
certainly many of them. if not all
Of them. Their open letter VIII ac-
cordingly have a tendency to rufHe
the feelings of the Chief Executive
rather than smooth them with
view 90 accomplishing results. But
90 the ordinary citizen. their utter
ances will attract attention and lead
TO az least partial consideration
The gentlemen say:
I'm your inaugural address YOU
say that The objects of the thir-
teenth and fourteenth amendments
have been secured Ia view of the
clause of the latter requiring reduc-
ton OF congressional representation
IN proportion as adult males are
barred from voting and since the dis
reimbursement OF nine-tenths os the
Colored males in the South is "A no
torious fact. how does the present
fun congressional quota OF those
states square with your statement
D..
amendment Is not observed in the
south. u ought 90 be observed" Was
~ not your duty as President of the
United States. sworn TO uphold the
, FEDERAL law. 90 say the fftSenth
amend ment must be obeyed I'm the
south and that YOU would enforce
IL?
This question answers itself. Pres
ident Taft is a jurist. He has served
upon the bench. lie knows that this
is a polite and diplomatic way of
telling him that he has violated mis-
oath Of Office. both in letter and
Esprit
They say further.
You say THE movement 20 en-
force Negro suffrage against the pre-
Vailing sentiment of the South has
| proved a failure" Would il NOT Doe
more in accord with the facts 10 sav
that the failure was on the mart of
the Federal Government under Re
publican Administrations 10 NUT
forth any effort TO enforce the Ne
sroes' right 20 vote under the Con
stitutionc
IL would be more in accord with
facts TO say this very thing. but in
order to be absolutely fair. these
gentlemen should have included the
Democratic Administration in this
same condemnation. Both parties are
guilty gentlemen. Both are in col.
fusion 10 do all that you charge and
they are doing 81.
They say further:
You say further that THE If
teenth amendment will never be re-
| pealed II, as you say. IL Is NOT
observed, is it not for all practical
purposes and protection already re-
pealed?
OF course it is. but still. it is much
better upon the statute books than
on of them. for it is liable to have a
sudden resurrection whenever the
conscience of the nation is arc-sed
to the Nervousness of the ofense in
disregsrding it.
And again.
In view of the progress OF the
Colored people IN the last SO years
which YOU say is marvellous" would
II not be more just in you TO have
demanded for him that equality be-
lore the law and exercise of suf-
rage vouchsafed by the 18th and
10Th amendments. rather than. as
you did, TO encourage the nulHhers?