The Washington herald., 1921-10-27
Democracy a Lie Unless
The Blacks Get Fair
Chance, He Says.
WHITE PEOPLE
FAIL TO CHEER
President Lays Masonic
Corner Stone; Gets
LII. D. Degree.

BIRMINGHAM. Ala. Oct. 2s.-
The democracy of the United
States, in the opinion Of President
Harding, lis a lie, unless the ne
gro is granted economic and politi-
cal equality.
Thi utterance, the climax of a
trenuous day in Birmingham, and
received in silence by the white
people in his audience as the ne
groes loudly cheered. vas the main
topic of conversation in the city
after news of his words had spread.
1t was a bold. sharp extempo-
raneous shot. directed to the white
In hi audience, a a result, 1t would
| appear. of the failure of that Sec
ton to respond to his plea that the
negro must be given a fair chance
in the interests of justice and ma
tional welfare.
Approved by Gov. kilby.
Il plead with my own political
party to lay aside every program
| that looks to lining up the black
man as a mere political adjunct"
he had said. The, South should
cease narrowing the negroes politi-
cal rights"
At the close of the address,
members of the Presidents party
were frankly apprehensive as to
how his remarks on the race ques-
tion might be received throughout
the South. Gov. Kilby. however.
who introduced the PRECEDENT. said
afterward:
1T was a clear and conservative
statement of the race question and
1 approve it,"
Other leaders, many of them
Democrats. said the President had
merely taken the potion of
Booker T. Washington, and. despite
the very obvious lack of approval
manifested toward his remarks by
the white people in his afternoon
audience, no one of any import
ance ventured to express disagree
ment with Harding's position.
Third % Audience Negrees.
The great audience which had turn
ed out to hear him at Capital Park
was segregated. two-thirds of the
seats being reserved for whiteh and
one-third for the negroes. Noisy
yells of approval came from the ne
gro section as he spoke for economic
and political equality, though warn
ing that an absolute divergence"
must be maintained Sin things social
and racial Racial amalgamation
there cannot be-" he said.
The negro shouts and cheers were
in sharp contrast to the virtual ST.
lence from the white section of the
audience.
But the Presidents speech on this
subject failed to dampen the enthu-
siasm of the gigantic crowds which
surged around him all day, both be-
fore and after his park address.
Every street he passed through was
pammed to the curb. and the hotel
lobby was packed whenever he ap-
peared.
The President donned the academic
cap and gown to receive an LII. D.
degree. and then made a quick change
to the Masonic apron just before
crossing the street through a line
Of arched swords to the site of the
proposed Masonic Temple. With a
silver troweel he smoothed the flrsa
batch of mortar and guided the big
square stone into place as 1t was
lowered by the crane. Then, turning
to the 500 Masons. many of them
dressed in the brilliant regalia of
abe Selfish rite degree. ha spoke in
praise of the principles OF the order.
He had been introduced as one
OF the trinity of great Masons-
Solomon. George Washington and
warren Gamaliel Harding"
Il want to tell those of YOU who
are not Masons, he said, looking
out into the street at the thousands
gathered there. that there is not
anything in the ritual or oath of
masonry that any free, righteous
or Just American couldn't be proud
70 subscribe to and be the better
citizen for it.
Predicts Conference Success.
Some wrong impressions in re-
gard to the order have gained cir
cuiatlon. But 1 know 1 am a bet
Ter citizen for being a better Mason.
In the great careers and duties of
my ONCE 1 find myself beartened-
and my courage strengthened he
cause 1 know that this great FRA.
ternity stands ready to give ~ a..
all for the preservation Of I.w .nd
order.r anu
Hererring to the forthcoming ar
mament conference he declared that
ne hrmly believed in the utter fu-
Unity of conflict and the excess,ve
burdens of armament" and that "we
are going to accomplish a nav stsn
forward in the world
MRS. Harding left during the Ma.
sonic ceremony, which was conduct.
ed In the elaborate ritual q, ~.
order and went to the country club
Tor reception. President HsrStna
ana Senator Underwood afterwards
reiaxed a bit at the fashion shnn
looking over the latest surprises A.
evening gowns. prises IN