The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-11-01
HARDING SPEECH
CAUSES COMMENT
DISCUSSION OF RACE RELA-
TlONS NOT PLEASING
Apprehension Felt as to Encourage
ment Negro May Get From the
Presidents Words
Hugh W. Roberts in The State.

Hugh W. Roberts in The State.
Washington, Oct. 27.-The presi-
dent started something in Birmingham
yesterday. The capitol today seethed
with expressions ranging from regret
to indignation following the publica-
ton of the speech Of Mr.. Harding de-
livered in Alabama. The great ma
jority of senators, even Democrats,
declined to speak for publication. No
Republican made statement for the
press. But it was the unanimous con-
clusion that the president had made
a very unfortunate selection of
topic and that by discussing the race
issue he had marred the most enthu-
siastic reception which he had re-
ceived since his Inauguration.
Critics were moved for many rea-
sons. There was resentment, in the
first place, that Mr.. Harding, from
his sphere of inexpecience, had seen
proper to tell Southern people how
they must conduct themselves towards
the negro. It was held that the presi-
dent proceeded on belief that South
ern people were not according to the
negro his deserts. This alleged atti-
tude on the part of the president was
cons trued as a direct and palpable
and unjust rebuke. Senator Harr:-
son of Mississippi, and Senator Wat
{ son of Georgia issued statements
keen!y resenting the statement of the
president that the negro must be re-
garded as the white mans equal in all
respects save social.
Senator Harrison declared that the
president evidently held that negro
had equal rights to the presidential
chair with the white man. Senator
! Watson in this connection pointedly
rcbuked the governor of Alabama who
had approved the utterance of the
president.
In this same connection, Senator
Hehin Of Alabama, quoted Lincoln as
having declared that the negro was
not entitled to voting and jury privi-
leges.
$50 far as the South is concerned"
he concluded, eve hold to the doc
triae that God Almighty fixed the
boundary line between the two races
and 70 Republican can improve upon
his handiwork.
Senators Hitchcock and McKellar
confred their criticism to the unfor-
tunate features of the case. In their
utterances there was the implication
that as result of the presidents state
nent, trouble between the races would
likely develop. There was fear lest
the negro might aspire to the high
level outlined by the president with
tie inevitable result. 1t was stated
"ol the quiet" that yesterday was the
biggest day the negro has had since
Jack Johnson won the pugilistic cham
pionship of the world.
Senator Dial of South Carolina and
Senator Harris of Georgia, asked for
statements, declined. But they talked
in confidence. Reference was made to
the fact that white people in Birming-
ham heard the president unmoved
while the negroes were extravagant
in their applause. Reference was al
so made to the expressions of ap-
proval that have been issued by the
National Association for the Advance
ment of Colored People.
An idea prevails, whether we'll
founded or net, that but for sugges-
tions of Senator Underwood, who ac-
companied the president to Birming-
ham, the speech would have been ac-
t1a1lv eNnSa+;Onal