The Denver star., 1913-11-08
PLEA FOR FAIR TREATMENT.
Constitution League Sends Strong Re-
minder to President Wilson,

Constitution League Sends Strong Re-
rninder to President Wilson.
Philadelphia. - The Constitution
League Of the United States. with
headquarters at 1880 Lombard street.
this city. through its field secretary.
Dr. William A. Sinclair. recently sent
memorial to President Woodrow Will
son at Washington, which reads in part
as follows:
Hon. Woodrow Wilson. President of the
United States. Washington
Honored Sir-In the name of the Con-
stitution League of the United States On
corporated). composed of citizens without
regard to race, sex, creed or party. l beg
! respectfully to make representations to
you In regard to the unfair humiliating.
degrading and, l think. unlawful treat
ment which your colored fellow citizens
are receiving under your administration.
Colored men were members of the con-
vention which nominated you Colored
citizens We're generously admitted to the
, convention hall. and some sat-on the plat
FORM. fou Were elected to your high Of
fice through the united efforts and votes
Of both your white and colored fellow cit
izens- The distinguished gentlemen hay-
ing charge of your campaign made special
appeals to colored voters. and in order to
accomplish results they established spe-
cial headquarters in Boston. New York,
Washington. Chicago and Denver. Every
ASSURANCE was given Of fair. just and
equal consideration for colored citizens in
the event of your election.
In your letter to the Right Rev. Bishop
Alexander Walters. president of the Ma
tional Colored Democratic league, you
and "equal' treatment to your "colored
fellow citizens" During the progress of
the campaign you gave similar assurances
to other colored men. 1t seems conclusive
that the elimination of the race issue
achieved your election.
1 beg respectfully to say that many
white and colored citizens believed that
as you were a man Of southern birth and
northern opportunities. possessing the
broadest scholarship and culture with the
gift of craftsmanship. you would bring to
bear on the race question the best and
most patriotic thoughts of both southern
and northern life. and also that you were
ideally circunstanced to wipe out the Ne
gro question rs factor in American poll
tics BY the faithful recognition of the
mandates of the constitution OF the Unit
ed States.
At the moment when all should be quiet
on the Potomac do not think it will be
altogether a surprise to you for me to
say-that the colored people OF the United
States are more wrought UP and alarmed
at this time over their rights and liberties
than at any period since their emancipa-
ton This is due
First--To the removal OF competent col
ored men from offices in several of the
states which they had filed by national
appointment for years.
Second.-The removal OF competent col
ored men from offices held under national
appointment in Washington.
Third.-The refusal TO appoint colored
men 70 diplomatic posts which had for
more tAan a generation been held by mem
bers of the race.
Fourth. - The degradation imposed on
colored men and women in several of the
departments of the government through
the practices of segregation and Jim
croYisn." colored clerks being taken from
desks and from rooms and segregated,
colored clerks being denied equal use of
the lunch counters. the lockers. toilets.
etc
In the name. then. OF the Constitution
| League of the United States-and / may
venture TO say in the name of the liberty
loving. Christian and patriouc people Of
| the republic-I would most respectfully
| appeal to you the president of the
| whole people to take such steps as in
your good Judgment would remedy these
terrible wrongs against the Negro people
a people whose loyalty faithfulness and
service to their country in peace and in
/ the stress of war have never been Ques-
toned. a people whose life is always on
/ the altar of their country.
With assurance OF our most high regard
beg TO subscribe yours most obediently
WILLIAM A SINCLAIR,
National Field Secretary.