The Colorado statesman., 1921-06-25
President Harding
Writes Letter En-
dorsing N. A. A. c.
p. Conference.
"June 1S, 1921.


"AIy dear Mr.. Johnson:
II have been much interested in
what you have written me about the
forthcoming Twelfth Annual Confer
ence of the National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People at
Detroit OF my own interest in behalt
of the effort of your association L
hardly need to assure you, for your at
tention will have been called TO Varl-
Gus public expressions of my views. In
my first message to the Congress, on
April 18th, of this year, L included the
following paragraph:
Somewhat related to the forego-
ing human problems is the race ques-
ton. Congress ought to wipe the stain
of barbaric lynching from the banners
of free and orderly, representative
democracy. We face the fact that
many millions of people of African de-
scent are numbered among our popu-
Iation, and that in II number of states
they Ssnnstitute IL very large proper
ton of the total population. 1t is un-
necessary to recount the difficulties
incident to this condition, nor to en-
phasiZe the fact that it is n condition
which can not be removed. There has
been suggestion, however, that some
of its difficulties might be ameliorated
by Il human and enlightened consider
alton of it, study of its many aspects,
and an effort to formulate, If not II
policy. at least Il national attitude OF
mind calculated to bring about the
most satisfactory possible adjustment
of relations between the races, and OF
each race to the national life. one
proposal is the creation of commlS-
sion embracing representatives of both
races. to study and report on the en-
tire subject. The proposal has real
merit. | am convinced that in mutual
tolerance, understanding, charity, rec
ognition of the interdependence of the
races, and the maintenance OF the
rights of citizenship lies the road to
righteous adjustment
AT this time, I do not feel that L
can add ANYTHING very significant to
the foregoing l wish your conVen-
ton to be assured, however, that de-
sign lust as early as possible to pro
ceed further along the line of the eX-
preston to the Congress | feel strong
ly that there is opportunity for ac-
compliShment of great and lasting
good and that whatever measures VIII
enlist the cooperation of Intelligent
and broad leaders of both races will
serve the most useful purpose.
"As evidence of the increasing and
gratifying interest throughout the
country in this entire set of problems,
am glad to be able to tell you that
since the delivery of the address to
Congress on April 10Th, great num-
ber of commentators communications
have come to me, indicating that in all
sections and among all classes ana
races there is Il deep desire for ettec-
tive achievement along these lines.
81 will be glad if you will extend
my greetings and best wishes to the
convention. I hope the association
may enjoy larger and constantly en-
larging usefulness, and that in the
near future it may be possible TO set
up some instrumentalities with which
your cooperation will he very much
desired. / will he glad to be informed
of the transactions of the convention
and TO receive any suggestions from 1t
that may be helpful in developing a
constructive policy.
every truly yours,
(Signed) "WARREN G. HARDING