The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-06

sider the question in the broadest aspect of the political rights of pro- tection under the law, as citizen.
 "The position is one that broad gauge, conservative public sentiment of the south must approve, and that, generally speaking. has had the ap- proval of the best public sentiment of the south,
 'We assume, of course. that Is the meaning President Harding intended to convey; that he did nots have in mind the overthrow of the safeguards of the white primary system and that In advocating political rights he does not mean to impose negro office holders on white communities where such service would be distasteful. That this is not his attitude is evil denced by the fact that as President he has publicly sanctioned move ment to reorganize his own party In the south through white instrument tality and by actually deposing the negro committees.
 "Further proof is added by the fact that, as President, he has consist ently appointed only white men to office, not only in Georgia, but in other southern states.
 This proves conclusive1y that 1t Is not the Presidents purpose to impose negro office holders upon the south, for if that had been his position the logical sequence would have been the appointment of negro republicans in the public service in this section.
 'The only possible construction to be put upon the Presidents position is that in all matters involving his rights as a citizen. the negro. as the President secs 1t, Is entitled to the fullest possible protection of the courts and political authorities in hls rights to the enjoyment of 'life, lib- erty and the pursuit of happiness. as guaranteed by the federal consti- tuition, always and at all times keep ing in view the fact that in all social respects the two races must ever be apart and that 1t Is best for both that they should be.
 Certainly, with this construction being thoroughly justified by the Presidents own official conduct in the matter of his own party reor- ganization in the south, there Is not only no ground for complaint. but, conversely, every reasonable ground for approval, by our people, of the attitude expressed by the President In his Birmingham address.
 And the very fact that criticism was changed to approval by the democratic congressman and political leaders in Washington in single day illustrates the fact that the speech, when analysed, was far different from what 1t appeared to be when 1t was first presented to the critics under misleading headlines and mis- judged upon immature considera- tion.
 There is no reason why the whole so-called negro problem should not be solved along the very lines laid down by the President, and solved to the satisfaction of the whole nation. removing the race question as po- litical issue and enabling the people of every section--north. south. east and west-to consider all economic issues on their merits.
 The day when that will bo dono Ia coming; and, so far as the south. at least, is concerned, the sooner 1t comes, the better!
 That development has boen im- possible up to this time simply bo- cause the racial issue has been para mount. The republican party has kept 1t so!
 Tt will continue to be paramount so long as there Is danger of over throwing or evadlng or nuilifying tho white supremacy that is provided for and guaranteed through the instru- mentality of tho primary election system.
 sThe primary system rests upon the bedrock of self f-preservation.
 Certainly, there Is nothing tn tho Presidents address to cause any alarm in this score; while, on tho other hand. his Birmingham addross taken in connection with tho attitude of his party in restricting negro rop- resentation in the, national conven- tions, and practically reorEanluinE It. self in the south on a basln of a roo- ognition of white supremacy. gives abundant grounds for hopo that the settlement of this vfxed uuoatlon that has long perplcxed the nation. and especially the south, is at hand"