Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1921-08-27
WHAT PRESIDENT HARDING SAID

| After careful investigation, there
| Is no longer any doubt in our mind
| that Presidcn., Warren G. Harding
said substantially, but not IN the cA
act language; just what he was quo,-
| ed as saying. THAI is to say, he gave
the delegation that waited on him to
understand that the day Of appoint.
ing colored men to prominent public
Offices in the southern States had pass
cd and such appointments, If made
| must come through tho recommends
| ton Of southern white men, who as
Republicans had an antipathy to tho
Negroes, but who would now be CIV
| ell a free hand in dealing with the
black Republicans and the old line
| white Repub Jeans, who had co opera,-
| cd and affiliated with them.
lie also took the position thai. it is
now time for now manner and meth
| Cd in dealing with the embarrassing
| southern question in its relationship
| with the hundreds Of southern white
| Democrats, who had become dissatis-
| fled with Democratic party manage
| official leadership in tho ranks OF
the party now led by the distinguish.
| ed Ohioan. In doing this and in tax
| ing this position, 1t was necessary
| for President Hrrding to turn his
| back upon the fundamental princi-
pes Of the Republican Party, disca, 4
fundamental right principles and to
! sacrifice the teachings of half a cen
! tury in order 20 bring about chang
ed condition in the Southland, which
! he had been finally convinced wouia
! result i'll an improved condition for
, tho white and colorcd peoWc OF THIS
| section Of the country.
! 1t is but fair to safe that he did
not take this churse Of action with a
feeling OF hatred or an.ngonism TO
the colorcd people, better known rs
Negroes OF this same section, but
believed that along these new lines.
his course would be Justified and
executed by the results obtained. It
was in this spirit that he used tho
expression, "This is my policy and
am going to follow 1t, live or die.
sink or SWIM Under this ruling
and decision colorcd citizens must
accept his pan and follow the white
mon, who do not believe that Negro.
es are cntit cd to their civil and poll
tical rights under the Constitution
of the United States and they should
be content with their lot and cond,-
ton, serve in mental capacities and
be content to Cake such recognition
as their duly appointed white leaders
shall give them.
1t is duplication of tho policy OF
white officers for Negro troops in the
army. The only difference Is that talis
condition is applied to private life.
Wo are frank to say that we believe
that President Harding failed to hear
argument on both sides of this que,
ton and thereby became as biased in
rendering his decision as the other
side seems to have been lin presenting
their argument. The trouble in this
country is that practically everybody
Is permitted to speak for the Negro,
but the Negro himself. He is denfea
representation both in the legislatures
the House OF Repl csentatives and in
the United States Senate. Now he is
denied recognition in the councils of
the Chief Executive OF the Nation. ITc
IS denied representation upon the Ma.
tional Republican Committee by the
recommendations being made to Hon.
Henry Lincoln Johnson that he re-
sign from the Committee as the repre-.
sentative from State that is hopeless
! ~ Democratic and which wiz remain
! IN That condition one hundred wears
AFTER the present distinguished occu.
, pant of the White House has been gath
! cred into tho arms of his ancestors
in that great and better land.
! When the Negroes were admitted 10
citizenship, the rights Of the cItize,.
came to him and his right to be the
sole Judge Of who should lead him
. was recognized. We know by the teach
| lngs of history coming down through
centuries Of experience, that you car.
not forsake the fundamental paths Of
christianity and the sign-posts of right
principles without paying the penalty
'hat is' falling in the attempt aul
earning the contempt and derision OF
rlght-thinking people everywhere.
There are times, when these "ehort
| cuts to success seem to be the hest
way and when the tempting voices Of