The sun., 1919-07-30

A Promise Made to Negroes Recalled
to President Wilson.

From letter soriffen bv d.. :. @. Robinson
Of oAeffenoooo. Tenn., one Of Ms pre-
siding eiders Of the African kefhodff
Spiscopoi Church. 10 Presfdenf Wuson.
Mr.. President, recall the i4th day
Of March, 1915, when as spokesman
Of q committee representing the bishops
and membership Of the African Metho-
dist Episcopal Church I presented to
your Exceiiency the pledge Of loyalty
and outlined the grievances OF the twelve
million negroes in the United States.
recall with vivid recoilections your great
and mastery reply to my address.
Among other things you said:
Il have always known that the negro
has been unjustiy and unfairly dealt
with; your people have exhibited de-
gree OF loyalty and patriotism that
should command the admiration OF the
whole nation. In the present conflict
your race has rallied to the nations
call. and n there has been any evidence
OF slacikerism manifested by negroef the
name has not reached washington.
'orest principles Of Righteousness are
won BY hard nghting. and they are at
tanned by slow degreea With Thousands
OF yolir sons In the camps and in France,
out Of this conflict you must expect
nothing less than the enjoyment Of full
citizenship rfghts-the same a. are en-
joyed by every other citizen"
And, OR. President when the confer
ence ended and wo were leaving the
White House. when shook your hand
said; "Mr. President, have O son
in France giving his life for democracy"
noticed the weight of tho nation, an I
thought, pressing down upon you. and
saw a tear roll down your cheek: and
you sent me away with these. words;
"oh. you are moro highly favored than
am. I wish had q son to give to
this cause"
Under tho plea for democracy empha-
sized by you az by no other man In the
world 100000 negroes went undismayed
and helped to win the war. went into
six States ana during great religious
REVEALS and In great Liberty bond and
War Savings Stamp drives told my
people that Mr.. Wilson gave us the
assurance that full democracy will be
enjoyed by all Americans; we rolled up
our share Of money, &C., to prosecute
the war.
Now, Mr. President, II you will use
your great power to secure the passage
Of law by Congress that will make
lynching and mob rule q Federal crime,
and help to wipe from the statute books
Of the South the undemocratic election
laws-the most cruel laws which you
help dispei IN many OF the seini-civilized
countries of Europe were heavenly as
compared with those that operate
against patriotic negroes-and do what
you can to help see that juries are Sc
lected Justly, you will end the real and
true cause for race riots in this country.
I fear. Mr.. President, before the ne
groes Of this country again win submit,
to many of the 'injustices which we have
suffered, this country, the white man.
will have 70 kill more of them than the
combined number of soldiers that were
slain in the great world war. Why not,
Mr.. President. being as you are the son
Of a, Gospel preacher and President OF
the greatest nation on earth and plead
Ing as you are for the weaker peoples
beyond the seas-why not rise up and
strike this monster evil of injustice per-
petrated against the negro in this coun-
try. and meet the favor of your father
God, and write your name above those of
Washington, Lincoln. Roosevelt and all
others7