The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-10-26
RACE STATUS
IS DISCUSSED
BY PRESIDENT
Colored Man Entitled to
Broader Political and Eco
nomic Rights But Not Soc
ial Equality.
ASKS SOUTH TO HELP
CBy Associated Press)

er political, economic, and educational
advantages based on a pride of race
but never on an ASPIRATION for social
equality. was championed by Presi-
dent Harding here today in plainly
worded enunciation of his views on
the whole American race problem.
These are some of the principles on
which the president appealed TO the
nation to 'lay aside old prejudices and
old antagonisms" and give support to
a constructive policy of racial relation
ship:
Politically and economically there
need be no occasion for great and per-
manent differentiation, provided on
both sides there shall be recognition
of the absolute divergence in things
social and racial"
Qualifications for Voting.
81 would say let the black man vote
when he is fit to vote; prohibit the
white man voting when he is unfit 10
vote"
II wish that body the tradition OF
solidly Democratic south and the ira
dition of a solidly Republican black
race might be broken up"
'1 would insist upon equal educa-
tional opportunities for both
Men of both races may well stand
uncompromisingly against every sug-
gestion of social equality. This is not
a question of social equality, but a
question of recognizing fundamental,
eternal, inescapable difference.
Racial amalgalS alton there cannot
be. Partnership of the races in de-
yeloping the highest aims OF all hu'
manity there must be II humanity Is
to achieve the ends which we have
set for it.
"The blackman should seek to be
and he should be encouraged to be
the best possible black man and not
the best possible imitation OF white
man"
First Trip to South
The presidents address, Whlcr
brought him from Washington on MS
first extended trip into the south since
Inauguration, was delivered at semi
centennial celebration OF the rounding
of the city of Birmingham.
1t was devoted almost exclusively &c
the race question, although Mr.. Hard
ing also took occasion to praise tnt
south for it's industrial recovery anC
to renew his faith in the world leader
ship of reunited nation.
He said in part: THE World wa
brought US to full recognition tha
the race problem is national rathe
than merely sectional. There are nj
authentic statistics, but it is common
knowledge that the World war wa
marked by great migration OF col
ored people to the north and west
They were attracted by the deman'
for labor and the higher wages OF
fered. It has brought the question
Of race closer to north and west, ant
believe it has served to modif.
somewhat the views of those section
on this question.
Sees True Solution.
Here it has seemed to me is a sue
gestion of the true way out. Political,
and economically there should be NJ
occasion for great and permanent dit
ferenation for limitations of the ind
viduars opportunity provided that ol
both sides there shall be recognition
of the absolute divergence in thing
social and racial.
when I suggest the possibility @
social equality between races | mea-
ii in precisely the same way and t
the same extent that ! would mean
if | spoke of equality of economic OF
same race. In each case | woul
mean equality proportioned to tn
honest capacity of the individual.
Men of both races may stand III
compromising against every sugge'
ton of social equality. Indeed
would be helpful to have that wor
equality eliminated from this col
sideration; to have it accepted o
both sides that this is not a questio
of social equality. but a question {
recognizing fundamental, eterna
and inescapable difference.
Political Situation.
Take the political aspect l woul
say let the black man vote when /
is fit to vote: prohibit the white ma
voting when he is unfit to vote. Z
pecially would | appeal to the sci
respect of the colored race. | woul
inculcate in it the wish to improve
self as a distinct race with heredit
set of traditions, an array
aspirations all its own.
"Out of such racial ambitions ar
pride will come natural segregation
without narrowing any rights, such ;
are proceeding in both rural and urba
communities now in southern state
satisfying natural lnclinations ar
adding notably to happiness and CO
tentment.
"On the other hand | would insi
Upon equal educational opportunity f
both. This does not mean that bo
would become equally educated with
generation or two generations
ten generations. Even men of Il
same race do not accomplish such ;
equality as that But there must
such education among the color
people as will enable them to develt
their own leaders, capable of unde
standing and sympathizing with su,
a differentiation between the races
have uggested-leaders who W
inspire the race with proper ideals
race pride, of national pride, of
honorable destiny; and important p;
ticipation in the universal effort
advancement of humanity as a who
+ Racial amalgamation there cannot
"The one thing we must seduous
avoid is the development of gro
and class organizations in this count
There has been times when we hea
Continued on Page Seven)