Omaha daily bee., 1914-11-20
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OMAHA. Nov. is.-To the Editor OF The
Bee: Thank you sincerely for your edi-
tOrial. THE President and the Negro"
You have stated the exact conditions.
Never before has an American citizen
been compelled to go to the White House
to protest against such arbitrary and
persistent acts of race discrimination on
the part OF the highest officials in the
land The persistent discrimination and
humiliation TO which the negro depart
ment clerks nave been subjected during
the present administration is disgrace
to this American nation, to which the
civilized world. war-harassed and retro
gressive, is today looking for the highest
ideals of Justice and moral leadership.
We will fail in our God-given opportun-
ity of moral leadership among the ma
lions, as we deserve to fail, IL we wan
tonly permit injustice to prevail by cur
falling the lawful rights and privileges OF
any group or class of our citizenry. This,
unfortunately, is being done in widening
circles throughout these United States,
being fostered and encouraged by the ex-
ample set by high officials at the ma
tional capital. 1t is against unjust
discrimination that we protest, mot as
wards looking for charity, but as full
Pledged American citizens" demanding
constitutional guaranteed rights. This
protest will grow louder and louder until
juster conditions prevail, as prevail they
must because right finally triumphs and,
because there are thousands Of broad
minded, tustice-loving white American
citizens, in all sections of our country,
who are anxious to make this just and
ri Oh a.
the truth to fight for the right And
protest and publicity are going to make
the truth known.
The laIssez falre, be silent, keep quiet
policy has failed to bring relief. Hence
the resort 20 protest and petition has be-
come imperative. The delegation who
lodged their complaint with President
Wilson spoke in the interests of 11.0Oo 900
of people, by no means an insignificant
part, numerically, at least, OF this great
polygenous nation. That Mr.. Trotter
spoke with his characteristic frankness
and earnestness in this interview / do
not doubt. That he would be, Willingly
or willingly. offensive, either In tone or
in manner. except insofar as plain speak
ing. especially to one who is trying to
defend doubtful position. might be con-
sldered offensive, do not believe; for Mr..
Trctter, whom l number among my
friends, is a gentleman born and bred.
OF liberal education. he belongs to that
group Of college-bred men, who have adj
vocated that the race should divide. as
other men, on the great economic and
political questions before the country.
The Boston Guardian, of which he is edi-
tor, advocated Mr.. Wilson's election upon
the ground that he was a high-principled,
broad-minded Christian statesman, who
could be trusted to deal justly with all
classes. Woodrow Wilson was elected.
Whatever else may be said Of his adj
ministration, and there IL much TO be
said in it's favor. SO far as the Afro
American If concerned, he has been made
to distinctly understand that the reac-
tionory south is in the saddle. Negro
federal office holders have been ruth
lessly dismissed and their places supplied
by whites even to the filling of such
posts as minister to theArepublic OF Haiti.
and by segregation and petty persecu-
lions and demotlons life has been made
miserable for department clerks not vet
removed.
Mr.. Trotter and his colleagues believed
that by calling President wilson's atten-
ton Of these injustices he would do what
he could to remove them. Unfortunately
they found him an apologist for dis
examinations OF which he Is fully cogni-
zant. No wonder that the interview was
thoroughly Disappointing" a9.s M
President Wilson, Is doubtless, a good
man and great burdened heavily with af-
fairs Of state. and DESTROYS of doing his
duty, but the attitude of hts adIninistra-
ton toward colored Americans Is any
thing but just. II is to be hoped that
the recent interview, despite 1.-THE presl-
dents refusal to listen further TO the
committee chairman. whose plain talk
was unwelcome," may have impressed
that fact with salutary effect upon his
mind, JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS.
Pastor, st. Philip the Deacon.