Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1921-07-02
THE OUTLOOK AT WASHINGTON.

Upon the occasion of his first cam
paign for the presidency, Hon. Wood
row Wilson gave expression to sent.
mcnts concerning the colorcd people
that led them to believe that lie would
accord recognition to them in proper
ton to the political aid rendered. ATT
or he was installed in office, he failel
to live up TO his prediction promises
and Bishop Alexander Walters, one W
his most ardent supporters, who lived
in New York State finally died with
out Il realization of his expectations.
1t was presumed that the Negro-hat.
ing southern oligarchy was too pow
crtul for him to resist and that he
had to yic.d his personal desires to
party cNpcdieucy.
President Wilson never explained
why he broke his word by not carry.
ing out his prediction pledges. lie
was elected the second time and all
forgotten. Instead racial discrimiua-
ton was everywhere in evidence III
tho Departments at Washington. IIr
assumed II friendly attitude towards
colored people and that was all. His
irritation over the question was cm-
phasizcd by his treatment Of Editor
William Monroe Trottcr, who wa,
made virtual political parial, so far
rs the brilliant occupant OF the White
House was abe to make him so.
Then came the nomination Of Sena-
tor Warren G. Harding OF Ohio HIS
speeches were gems, SO far IS his refcr
enccs to the colored citizens were con
cerncd. He enlisted the support OF
such uncompromsing advocates of
the rights OF colored people like Hon.
Harry C. Smith of Ohio, William Mon
roe Trottcr OF Massachusetts ana
many others that we might name. j,
Is true that the discriminating SIGNS
in the Departments at Washington
have disappeared, but :hat anti-Ncgro
atmosphere still remains and tho re-
representatives. Of that anti-Negro rom-
bination are at work with their anti.
Negro propaganda. The word has e,,,o
forth that the citizen Of color Is not
to he accorded full and complete reccg
milton rs an American citizen, but that
dominating policy of conservatism
is to prevail.
Senator John w. Weeks, Secretary
of War, who halls from the liberty-loy.
ing State Of Massachusetts has notl-
fled his own colored constituents
that he can afford them no relief. The
prejudiced subordinates under him
control affairs, SO to speak and he Is
only rubber stamp" when 1t comes
to securing for colored men, the
rights and privileges to which they
are entitled. The most notable in.
stance in the trend of party affairs Is
the handling Of the Georgia case
where colored men succeeded In Sc
curing recognition and in having up-
on the Republican National Commit
tee representative. Hon. Robert r.
Church had been admittedly robbed
OF his rights and privileges as "a SOP
to the whale" and the temporary sue
cess in landing Tennessee in the Re-
publican column where 1t will re-
main only for a brief period was re.
garded as justification for the scan
dalous betrayal of the rights of the
Republican people.
In the meantime, tho Republican
leaders balk at reducing representation
in the southern States. We sometimes
wonder If the time will come during
our lifetime, when right principles
VIII be recognized by those alleged
champions of liberty and followers OF
the good and lowly Jesus. We do not
like the outlook. President Harding
Is a good man and he may DO doing
the best he can, but we are very
anxious to know whether OR not ha
has the moral stamina to live up to
his prediction pledges and whether
or not all American citizens, be they
black or White really look alike to