The New York herald., 1921-10-28
SOUTHS SENATORS
STORM AT HARDING
His Views on Negro Prob
lem Cause Sensation in
Washington.
PARTY LINES DRAWN
Republican Members Warm
in Their Praise aud In
dOrse Stand.
MEN FROM DIXIE DEMUR
Harrison Calls Utterance I'm
fortunate and Mischiev0us-
Watson Denounces 1t.
MEN FROM DIXIE DEMUR

Special Despatch to THE NEw YORK HmALp
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c., Oct. n.
President Hardings speech at Bir-
mingham advocating political and eco
nomic but not social equality for the
negro race caused a sensation in
Washington to-day. No act or ut
terance of the Administration since
President Harding's Inauguration has
provoked such vehement outburst from
Southern Democratic sources.
On the other hand Republican Sena-
tors and Representatives were warm
in their praise Of Mr.. Harding's
courageous action in going to the
heart of Dixie Land and discussing
the race question with unfiinching
frankness.
Senator Spencer (Mo.). a Republi-
can member. indorsed the President's
speech in this language: "The Presi-
dent with characteristic force and
dignity uttered in the language of tho
In the Constitution Of the United States
accepts wholeheartedly. It is as applica-
BILE to Alabama as 1t is to Maine. To
criticise the support Of this constitutional
provision is nothing less than anarchy.
The colored citizen has as of right equal
political economical and educational
rights with the white citizen. 1t was a
timely utterance Of the President aid
all the more necessary II there is any
disposition to disagree with its manifest
truth"
Senator Harrison's Opinion.
Senator Harrison (Miss.), one Of the
N anagers of the Democratic campaign
last year. characterized President Har-
ding's speech thus 1.-THE Presidents
made It in the heart Of the South. where.
In some States. the negro population pre-
dominates. was unfortunate IN the ex-
treme. The President is right In that
the race question Is national one and
not confined to any one section. and his
unfortunate and mischievous utterance
on the subject will be deprecated by
reople in every section Of the country
who believe In the preservation Of white
civilization"
Senator John Sharp williams (Miss)
ments. II indorse the Presidents state
ment that there should be absolute
separation OF the races said Senator
Williams. THAT must be. and I am
glad the President spoke so definitely
and plainly. am In favor. and
always have been. of giving the negro
absolute equality before the law for the
protection of his property, his life. his
limb. He should have every right that
the law gives. and there should be no
curtailment Of that. Beyond that
I am not willing that he should have
political rights, social rights or any
other rights except those he Is en-
titled TO before the law"
Senator Watson ca said: 1T the
published reports OF the Presidents
speech at Birmingham are correct. I
very much regret that he made II.
It Is an unfortunate thing when the
President OF the United States accepts
an invitation to speak in such Southern
States as Georgia and Alabama. and
then finds 1t necessary to lecture their
people about the treatment of the
Aegro. As the President IN q native
of o. 10, he cannot possibly understand
our siituation in the South. where the
population is almost equally white and
black. II is therefore. great pity
that Northern man. holding the high
est, office on earth. should go down In
the South and plant there fatal germs
in the minds OF the black race.
Some hypothetical Questions.
"Does the Governor of Alabama. who
indorsed the Presidents lamentable
speech. think that Alabama should
have a negro Governor instead of
white man like himself? Would he like
to see the Supreme Court of Alabama
filled with negro judges? Would he
like to see negro bosses placed over
white boys and white girls? Would
President Harding be glad II his sue
cessor in the White House were to be
n black man? Would the President like
to see his Cabinet filled with negroesf
1--WE are not going TO permit social or
political equality of the kind the Presi-
dent advocates because we know u
would mean the destruction OF the civil
lization which our ancestors handed
down to U.s."
Senator McKeIlar (Tenn) said: "The
speech In my judgment was ill-con-
coived. ill-timed ill-placed and can
serve no useful purpose. Many will
contend that Il violated the amenities
It's only effect will b. to arouse racial
discussions and racial prejudices that
nlQ DeITer DeeU ttlt DpttCncS
of this kind will not benefit the negro
and may do him serious harm. No one
d ssires this The negroes must work
out their own future. It cannot be
worked out for them by giving vent to
ones desires
Senator Heflin (Ala.) issued this state
ment: Lincoln. In his debate with
Douglas In 1859, said: I am oppos ID to
making voters or jurors of negroes
There Is no escape from the conclusion
that absolute political and economic
equality between the white man and the
negro means the wiping out of all color
line in the partnership. in business and
in the elsction OF negroes to office over
white people. Social equality is next
door to such humiliating and dis
graceful policy. SO far as the South Is
concerned we hold to the doctrine that
God Almighty has fixed the limits and
boundary lines between the two races
and no Republican living can improve
on His handiwork."