The broad ax., 1924-02-16

PRESIDENT George Washington said of
Phyllis Wheatley's poem. History re-
cords that he did say something, com
plimentary of her Accomplishment and
we as a racial group are justly proud
Of it. We have, however, read with
our own eyes the highly-prized letter
possessed by Mr.. Thompson from
President Coolidge and Il is our opin-
ion that but few, if any men, white or
black have ever had higher written
compliment paid them by our Presi-
dent than that which he has paid Mr..
Thompson whom we again commend
for his achievement as a journalist of
no small rank
1t was very gratifying to our repre-
sentative when he called upon Mr.. Ed
ward a. Dickson, part owner and edi-
tor i'll chief Of The Express, to get
permission to publish the Presidents
letter, to find him in full accord with
President Coolidge in his regard for
Mr.. Thompson And now we recall
that Mr. Thompson has been an ar
dent admirer Of Mr.. Coolidge long be-
fore he assembled the presidency of
these United States and that he is now
in the front rank with the many Cali
fornians who are determined that Cal
win Coolidge succeeds himself as Presi-
dent and level-headed chief of this
progressive nation.
All that remains for Mr. Coolidge
to do now IS to follow the example of
the late President Roosevelt and per-
NIT a capable Negro to second his
nomination at the Republican National
Convention which meets in Cleveland,
Ohio. in June. Perhaps no Negro
could fill the bill with more dignity
and general satisfaction than the Ne
gro from Hiram Johnson's state whom
President Coolidge has so distinctly
honored.
The editorial which was sent by Mr..
Thompson to the President and many
others as New Years Greeting fol-
lows
Peace For Negroes and Whites
aThe holiday season and the New
Year should Be jovial for the members
Of the Negro race, as we'll as of all
others who love justice and hope for
4 dav Of clearer understanding. The
recommendation Of President Coolidge
for the creation of commission to
consider measures to enable mutual
confidence and amity between the two
races might we'll be the basis Of such
New Year hopes
The very assembling Of such COM
mission. formed of Negroes and whites
from North and South determined that
means Be devised to reach an under
standing. would perhaps make for I'M
measurable benefits to this nation.
The section OF the presidents mes
saqe which deals with that matter IL
l,,strates the constructive character
W President Coolidge's mind First
L expresses concern over the rule Of
Judge Lynch in some localities and
favors necessary legislation 70 punish
Of outrages
But il goes further. Not content
,,,;tb the negative ptrase-the anti
lyncEing provisos-the president seeks
The method whereby affirmative action
might be taken looking toward the
curing Of the causes which lie back of
lynching outrages.
None more cordially and earnestly
than the Negro people themselves will
welcome President Cooiidge's con-
str,,ct;ve proposal. When and if such
! commission as he desires shall have
heen named every good citizen, north
"a south Of whatever race, win hail
ths+ a. the day in which the American
naonle Ut itself to the long-deterred
d,,ty-to bring into harmony two ma
-. oort,ons OF our population and
move this people nearer to the ultimate
sol,,t;or II that which is seriously
ma basicaliy one Of the problems OF
a,,~ democracy. From The Eagle,
To- Angeles. Cal. Feb. ? 1924
+ VII Be recalled that at the time
hat Col. Roosevelt was nominated to-
II The United States, n 1908,
ihs, coI Noah Thompson had the
,o,or Of escorting the late Harry
r,mn,inrs 81 Baltimore, Nd, to the
aIstform when ne was introduced BY