The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1911-05-13
TROTTER PLEADS
FOR SQUARE DEAL
Wants Passage Of Color Dis
eliminating Laws Stopped.
RACE MUST STAND TOGETHER

In q ForcefuI and Analytical Address
Before Bethel Literary and Historical
Association In Washington Noted
Boston Editor Says Caste System 10
Spreading In America.
BY F. II. NJ. MURRAY.
Washington.-In the long and bril-
liant history Of the famous Bethel Lit
erary and Historical association OF
Washington no season. certainly none
I'm recent years, has been more notable
than the one which will close within q
few weeks.
The season was opened by the lead
ing literary man Of the race, DR.. w.
E. 3. Du Bots. 1t practically closed
with an address by W. Monroe Trotter,
the editor Of the Boston Guardian and
president Of the Boston Literary and
Historical association. Bethel's chief
competitor for national prominence.
Mr.. Trotter's subject at the April
meeting of the literary was THE
Caste Of Color" There was a large
audience of the capitals most thought
full and cultured people, and the han
ding of the subject was worthy Of
the audience. the literary and the rep
utation Of the speaker.
Mr.. Trotter Is a graduate Of Har-
ward university, where he made a bril-
liant record. and. though not usually
regarded as an orator, he proved to be
fully capable of creditably represent
ing on the platform his famous alma
mater and also his race. He spoke
without notes.
Editor Trotter discussed the elements
which constitute caste system and
pointed out facts and occurrences Of
the present situation in this country
which serve to demonstrate that
caste system based on color has al
ready been established, in the south
at least, and that a determined effort
is being made to push the system into
and all over the north and to draw the
separating color line" more and more
sharply and oppressively where the
caste of color now has foothold.
His citations and quotations were
explicit and striking. particularly the
extracts he read from recent book by
the Rev. Quincy Ewing, a native
southern white man, which laid bare
the Heart of the Race Problem"
which is the title of Rev. Mr.. Ewing's
book. This heart" he showed, ia
nothing more nor less than a determi-
nation to establish and maintain a
caste based on color alone; hence, II
this attempt succeeds, neither the ac-
QUESTION of wealth nor Of education
will avail to break the "color line"
He urged that every effort be made
to block the passage Of laws having
that end in view wherever proposed,
He showed that the matter Of color
caste was deeper than mere sentiment;
that 1t reached further than the mat
ter Of social intermingllng; that the
"color line" once drawn would be and
now Is extended far beyond matters
social or even civil and proves a bar
rier In the acquiring of education, and
the higher training binders and will
eventually prevent the employment Of
the prescribed caste in any Of the more
desirable and more lucrative employ
ments. and that even II natural COM
petence could under such a system be
acquired by an exceptional few It
would not permit its enjoyment or
profitable use.
He warned against giving heed and
countenance to those who speciously
seek to justify or condone this dis
abling menace and pleaded for unre-
lenting war against the thin wedge"
of color segregation. seeking to gain
entrance where "the line" Is not now
drawn. through separate" philan-
thropic institutions Of semipublic
character. such as the Y. M. @. A. and
social settlements"
Mr.. Trotter received an almost un-
precedented tribute of approval at the
close Of his address, which was calm,
analytical and argumentative.
He was followed briefly by Hon. Jo-
seph Manning Of Alabama. who was
introduced as 1.-The white garrison Of
the SOUTH characterization he well
deserves.
General Andrew Burt, U. 8. A., re.
tired, who commanded the Twenty
fifth infantry, also spoke briefly and
testified to his high regard for the col
ored people as exemplifed by his reg
iment. He scored those of our own
race who advised an attitude Of sub.
mission and insisted that, like all 9th.
er oppressed and exploited classes now
existing and who have preceded us, II
satisfied with a little you will surely
get less"
The celebrated Amphion Glee club
Professor J. Henry Lewis. director,
added not a little to the enjoyablenesa
Of the occasion.