New-York tribune., 1921-10-27
Face Problem, Solution Is
in Economic Equality,
+ ith Complete Social
Dive e~ge2ce, He Declares
I1rges Black Not
To Initiate White
Warns in His Birmingham
Address That Minority
Garnet Challenge Law

PRESIDENT liaFuAHg, speaking at the
cty's sem;-csn.ennial celebration, took
no the negro problem in detail and set
forth the following principle as the
solu.iCn:
Absolute economic equality between
the races. but complete social diver
e.nce; a!fording the colored man every
opportunity to advance but preserving
tse purity and traditions of the two
races
The President spoke from rostrum
before which we've grouped separately
bis white ana lis negro auditors. The
climax Of his address came as the Pres
ident turned toward the white section
ind declared:
"Whether you like it or not, unless
car dem cracy is lie, you must stand
fur that equality"
The negroes responded to this with
cheer, which they repeated moment
later when the President put down his
Manuscript, looked toward the negroes
and said:
n want to be looking in their drec-
ton when | say these tn ngs, because
am speaking to North and South,
white and black alike"
White Auditors Warm to Him
Negroes hailed his speech frequently
vith vociferous appro baton, while the
white section of the audience for a
tine heard him almost in silence. AS
The Development OF his addre S showed
them, however, that he was not IN any
zsnse friendly toward a mixing of the
races or a breaking down o the social
line between them their silence gave
ray to demonstrations of approval and
Of admiration Tor his frnrFnoss n dis
cax ing SO delicate question.
I'VE must realize,' a.d the Presi-
gro question, that our race problem
ere in the United States is only a
rasse of race issue that the whole
World confronss. Surely we shall gain
roth n 'y link NJ TIE racts or reIus-
Ing to give thought to them"
The Pre.ident referred to the fact
t.at tAe w rid War mad ,aken thou
saads OF black men to France, where
trey served their country patriotically
md where they experienced the life OF
Countries where the coler line was not
drswn as closely as it is in America,
and continued with quotation from a
recent essay on the race question by
T. Ludard, wh ch said:
"Here then is the true conception Of
the intsrrelation of color-completc
uniformity in ideals, absolute equality
in the paths of knowledge and culture,
equal opportunity for those who strive.
equsl admiration for those who
achieve; in matters social and racial a
separate path, each pursu ng his own
irherifnH fro1tttOpc 40 hic
lace purity and race pride; equality in
tAings spiritual; agreed divergence In
the physical and material"
Obligation on Both Races
Here, it has semed to me, is sug-
restion of the true way out" said Mr..
Harding. POLITICALLY and economic
great and permanent differentiatic n,
for limitations IF the individuals op-
qortunity, provided that on both sides
tnere shall be recognition Of the abso-
lutte divergence in things social and
asca! When | suggest the possibi ity
q economic equality between the races
mean it in precisely the same way
md to the same extent that ! would
nean it if / spoke Of equality of
.conomic opportunity as between mem
iers Of the same race. In each case l
could mean equa ity proportioned to
TIE honest capacities and deserts of
the Individual.
Men of both races may we'll stand
ahcompromisirgly against every sug-
testion of cial equality. Indeed, it
would be he pful to have that word
eqraHty' eliminated from this con-
sideration, to have it accepted on both
SIDES that his is not a question Of
Nv but >E
o.gnlzing fundamental. eternal and
'aescapable difference. We shall have
hade real progress when we develop
IN IN attitude in the public and commu-
my thought of both races which rec
0gnlzes this difference.
- would say let the black man vote
n Waen he is fit to vote; prohibit the
mni'e man voting when he is unfit to
we we Especial would | appeal to the
sen,respect of the colored race.
would inculcate IN it the wish to i'm
prove 1t elf as distinct race, with g
~ asis oisy, a set of traditions, an array
" ASPIRATIONS all its own. Out o1
ssch racial ambitions and pride will
s sv,ae natural segregations, without
aafrowlng any ghts such as are pro
seeding in both rural and urban com.
sassities now in Southern states, salts
ss,as ma ural inclina.ions and adding
AOssSnoy to happiness and contentmenr
:. oh the other hand, l would insist
Spuh nsl equal educational opportunity fol
~, s,a; Racial amalgamation there can
Ssr.oe ss oe' Partnership of the races il
mas. oping the highest aims of all hu
enl,, ';y there must be if humanity, no
tbas tb,ss mere but everywhere, is to achieve
~ ehas which we have set for it.
NO Longer Southern Problem
si. s,r., can say to you peop.e of tn,
tnssn. bo.h white and black, that tn,
"a .o"e mas passed when you are emitted
assume that this problem of race.
pecuiiary and Particularly vor,
isoiem. ins Mere and m re it is becom
no problem OF the North; more ant
So.,, Sy u Is the problem of Africa. o.
SoSshh rmerlca, of the Pacific. of tn,
NIL. MI Seas, of the world. 1t is th,
I'm OF democracy everywhere.
not w would accept that black man ca,
rot os white man, and that 'he doa,
a. rs,''s assa and and should not a. pire to h,
S nuca like white man as poss,bI,
ross;bi rSsr 10 accomplish the best taat !,
ba b,,oas @ Tor him. He should seek /,
ihe sha ne should be encouraged to be-
ibs pest 20 sible black man. and ~"
man 9est possible imitation of a whit,
siors, 's matter of the keensst M
i aes concern that the South shsi
4 D9 nuxnnvoaal S's 'ah@i