New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-24
TAFT SOUTH'S FRIEND
PRAISED BY. DICKINSON.
Secretary of Var Discussed South
ern Politics and Race Problem.

,cas,r,,le Tam Sent 2s-JaCob ". Dickinson
Secretary OF War the principal speaker ~ 'I'o
Tennessee State Fair here to-day heiefF'ns '
complimentary terms 20 President Taft MI. DICK
snson discussed the political situation in the Sou
lie spoke OF the honesty, courage ana pa'ilOs'''A
OF Grover Cleveland and declared that these chaI
acteristics were IN every thing SAID anu "O''
by President Taft. o,,..
The country Is richly blessed I'm having Chlei
Executive OF such high ideals and endowed WIN
the courage and frmness 10 carry them out' nc
said. THE South is doubly blessed for her sec
tiOnal attitude such that a successful man Oh
narrow Views personal vanity. resentful mind anu
a pseudo-patriOtism that did not embrace the en-
tire country might have been out OF sympathy
with her, and repellant 81 not actively antag-
Onstic" He continued in part as follows:
II is idle TO talk OF settlement OF the negro
question In the sense that an agau0n anu ,, cO ~
settling che poverty question or the labor cues
move forever controversy arising from the contin-
uing conditions Of twelve millions OF one race ot
people living in country with another race ootn
having the same rights and opportunities under
the existing law and Theoretically the same cItI
zenship. with its attendant rlghts IN any asPeSs
the question is porteltous The distant future may
evolve somethlngLhold IN store tne TiSe aee
some forces which we cannot fofesee. lie 49,
tiny Of a nation is happily a closed book We must
pear. Il is our duty TO minimize as far as we can
the troubles as they arise To ooyiate tnem ana 70
else of the highest wisdom, hrnness' mOoeIa1loh
II the white people assert the right 10 govern
then the government should be one of fairness ana
The courts. and not the mObs. should punish law
breakers Negroes should be protected in their
property rights. settled with justly and governed
by the Constituted authorities.
There can be wholesome control OF the negro
question OF a permanent character nlat 1oes iI ~,
appeal 10 the sense OF justice OF the people OF al
Injustice and violence viii breed violence and
viii debase the civilization OF the communities tnai
mob rule We do not want a state Of siege. contnu
conflict and the exhibition OF me maleO Manu-
We want peace. the growth OF the arts and Sci
enees and such conditions as viii invite commerce
and at least migration within our borders. if not
1g 10 oGiTo MN NM any ~ a v U II
must be such basis will appeal TO the en-
the best people Of the white all over this coun-
try. We can for time maintain supremacy by
but il viii be at frightful cost We ought 10
maintain IL with a healthful advancing ana nor q
retarded civilization under peaceful conditions ana
the reign Of the law. This should be done with the
negro compatible with white political control
It is unfortunate for the South that some OF her her
are inclined our way and are Leaders OF PS ne
OF fRe most enlighfened among the negro race
counsel their people abstain from politics and to
They indicate a willingness TO withdraw from po-
litical agitation. but ask Justice protection and
orderly administration Of the law.
This movement, if successful in any large meas.
all the people OF the South 1t is the antpodes Of
that which for so long time kept up a vicious
ferment in the body polite so destructive 20 whole
Nothing viii do more to promote such propa-
ganda than just treatment and protection.
Men of character and patriotism throughout the
South could not their people better than by
making such sentiment overwhelming that the
lawless will find that they regarded and treated
South.
President Taft has gone further than any Re
publican President 10 meet the wishes Of the South
in establishing a policy looking TO the promotion
OF peace within her borders. In this he has
responded 10 any demand either of his party or
the people Of the North leader of thought,
knowing the conditions. he periodically and
ageousiv does what he believes is pest, trusting
10 results for his vndication. The great hold he
has upon the confidence of the country least
holds judgment in allegiance If il does not at
gain entire approval His vndicaton will depend
mainly upon the wisdom. self-cOntrOl and
servatism manifested bv the southern Deople n
would he a calamity II his efforts should be nulli-
fed and his good viii alienated II a man OF his
character. position and patriotism fails then il
win be long before another VIII follow IN his foot
steps.
No question of the South giving him political
support is involved. The South can cooperate
with him in his great work of cancellation and
promoting peace and harmony, ard yet cast every
one Of its electoral votes against him II he should
become candidate for reelection. 1 am con-
ndent that no thought OF winning its votes has
Influenced his course toward the South and that
even II he expected TO become candidate 10 sue
coed himself he would though confident that the
South would vote against him. do exactly what he
has done. deeming II sufficient reward if he brings
peace where dseord prevailed and establishes a
soundeT basis for dealing politically with the con-
ditons that affect the relations between the races
IN the South.