The Denver star., 1915-01-02
VIEWS ON RACE PROBLEM.
George w. Wiekersham Replies to Re-
marks Of John S. Williams.

George w. Wiekersham Replies to Re.
marks Of John S. Williams.
The progress of the Negro race III
America since the civil war. which re-
suited in its freedom. has been mar
velous. 1t has increased in numbers.
advanced in education. made commend
able headway in business. finance and
the Christian religion as exempliied in
the life and teachings of Christ. 1t has
endured great hardships, exercised ex-
treme patience with those who execute
the laws under which it lives as Amer
lean citizens. proved itself worthy Of
a place in the body polite to live. serve
the state and federal government in
humble and exalted positions and ex-
erted a mighty power for good in the
midst of its friends and has Scriptural-
ly speaking. heaped Goals of fire upon
the heads of its enemies at all times.
says N. Barnett Dodson.
Few great events transpire or pub
lie functions of state or national sig
nificance held in which the Negroes in
fluence and power as factor in the ma
ments are not felt But-"whom the
gods would destroy they first make
mad" Upon the great fundamental
principles of American citizenship as
vouchsafed by the federal constitution
to all citizens of the United States.
native born or naturaliZed. there still
exists a difference Of opinion among
some Of our fellow citizens in the va
rious sections of our common country
as was made plainly evident at the
twenty ninth annual dinner Of the
Southern Society of New York, held at
the Waldorf Astoria in New York.
Wednesday night. Dec. Q.
In the course Of his address the
comptroller of the United States cur
rency. John S. Williams, is reported
as having given utterance to the fol-
lowing:
"All other issues have appeared to
US light and negligible when white su-
premacy was threatened. Happily
such fears are now no more to be re-
garded than as frightful dream. Our
constitutional conventions in the diff
ferent states have so limited and safe
guarded the right of suffrage in an eff
fort to secure an enlightened electorate
that negro rule has ceased to be men
ace.
Long ago we determined that the
Negro should never be our master;
that we would work with him and
help him and let him help and work
with us, but that rs social and po-
litical equal the best interests Of both
races and of the country demanded
stern. final and definite prohibition.
The dignity. welfare and prosperity Of
the two races and of the entire country
are and will be promoted by the policy
Of strict segregation
To the above remarks OF Mr.. Viii
liams former United States Attorney
General George W. Wickersham re-
piled with great dignity. This is what
he said:
II do not believe that this problem
will ever be solved by the total dis
franchisement for all time Of 10000
600 Of our citizens. No people can
thrive and advance II. side by side and
working with them, are 100000 who
are disfranchised from all voice in gov
eminent
God knows that this is difficult
problem, and God knows how it will
be solved. but it cannot be solved by
denying to any, be he black or yellow
or red. the right of voice in making
the laws by which he shall be govern
ed and in the choice OF the men who
shall govern him. Believe me. this
problem is not solved by the method
you offer"