Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1923-07-07
(The Boston Post, June 81, 1929

le, answered the North Carolina citi-
znns who warmly objected to the
chuice of Charles c. Dogan. Negro boy
who will read the Declaration of Inde
pcndence from the balcony of the Old
State House, July 4th.
PROTEST APPOINTMENT.
The Protestants Thomas F.. Arm.
strong, J. Frank McClelland and Frank
Dalton Of Charlotte. N. c., declared to
the Mayor in a letter:
The Boston Post of June the 5th
carries the announcement that you
/ h,e selected Charles c. Dogan, honor
pupil at English High School, to read
the Declaration of independence
from the balcony Of the Old State
House in connection with the July
Fourth exercises.
Being former BOstonians and still
residents of Boston, in spirit if not
body and further knowing the Negro
IL. we know them, we protest such an
appointment on the grounds of de-
Iiuerate insult to the Boston schoo.
boy and average Bostonian.
THE South would net allow such
oil ttPPOihthiChS W bC ethi VIC NC
lieve knowing both sides as we do that
what this section of the country will
not tolerate, should not be accepted by
the city of our birth.
I'VE make the above protest aware
that the question Of race has never
been settled but we feel as all here do
in the supremacy of the white race
May we have the honor of hearing
from YOU" They did.
MAYOR VITRIOLIC IN REPLY.
The Mayor said in part:
Il have seldom received a letter
from any source so lacking in good
manners. SO devoid of Americanism
so destitute all knowledge Of the
principles and practices Of our govern
ment and SO extensively and stupidity
impertinent. 1t is some satisfaction
p, to know that this ill-manneredI effus.
ion was not written by any native Car
Gilman: for while Massachusetts and
Carolina may differ profoundly upon
the race question, both are as one in
recognizing the necessity Of practising
tpul:teness and observing the convent
ions Of decent society, in correspond.
| enCe and social relations. You do not
speak therefore either for the town
you live in, Charlotte, or the State OF
North CarOlin so they must be ac-
quilted of the offensive. ilEbred and
Inwarranted meddling in the affairs
OF Massachusetts, and Boston exhibited
ir your letter. When men claiming
birth and former residence in Boston
are guilty of the gross discourtesy you
have committed and it's bad manners
are emphasized by betrayal of the
principles and an insult to the tradi-
tions of their birthplace. they become
at once deserving Of scorn and con-
tempt. Il refuse to accept you as the
, spokesman Of the State and the chill
dyen of the men who fought and died
for human freedom at Kings Noun
tain.
Charles G. Dogan was selected for
| the honor conferred on him for excel
lent reasons; he has shown compe-
tence and capacity in the generous riv
airy of school life to make him a wor
! thy choice; he Is an "honor pupil"
that is to say, pupil Of more than
ordinary attainments; his choice has
the appreciation Of his fellow pupils;
ard his selection to read the immortal
Declaration is an expression of our
recognition Of the services of his race
in Massachusetts to human freedom
and democratic government. One Of
his race died in the streets of Boston
in defense Of human rights-Crispus
Attucks-and Boston has raised a mon
ument to his memory On Boston Con,
mon; and thousands of his race fought
and died to preserve the Union I'm the
war of the Rebellion, and to make
the world safe for democracy" in the
World war. Any man Of any race, COZ
or or creed who is willing and worthy
to serve the Flag and die for the Re-
public is worthy to have his place I'm
the Sun of American Democracy.
Let me commend to you three mer
the wisdom of reading and remember
ing the principles embedded in the
Bible. the Declaration OF Independ
ence. the Constitution of the United
States and the Massachusetts Bill of
rights. The Scriptures tell us that God
made man in his own image. be the
envelope in which he encased his soul
white block brown or yellow
LET me also commend to you the dc
STABILITY of moving out of Carolina