Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-03
Fellow Americans:

The American people about to 1naugurate new
President We Americans of the District in peculiar
relation to an incoming Chief Executive We send
delegates to conventions and help to nominate him
We permitted to lead in patriotic and enhu-
astic celebration Of his inauguration But we cast no
vote for against him at the polls or in the Electoral
College. We fit to nominate and celebrate. We are
unfit it seems, to help to elect.
The half million Americans of the District constitute
tai and contiguous United statespopuous intelligent
public spirited patriotic of adequate resources-whlch
and to which not Congress has the power to grant
national representation.
Since the half million Americans of the District pay
national taxes obey national laws and go to war in the
Nations defense they entitled on American prin-
cples to be represented in the National Government
These are basic American principles automatic truths
threadbare by constant approving repetition But
by inconsistent acts and naction in respect to the Dis
proposed constitutional amendment is pending
which empowers Congress to give voting representation
in Senate, House and Electoral College to the Ameri-
of the District.
You will note that this amendment deals solely with
national elections; that it proposes votes only for such
national officials President Senator and Representa-
tive that does not propose or involve changes In the
reduce in the slightest the power of Congress in
respect to the National Capital but enables the District
become small fractional part of the Congress which
exercises in respect to it exclusive legislative power
On what ground can any one oppose this measure
of political equity?
Simple and brutal is the of those who
would hold the Washingtonan with convicts in the
class of politically defective delinquent and mpoent
Americans They say in effect You are unfit in quail
ty and quantity of population exercise this power
and you never can become fit
The Bugaboo of Negro Domination.
They dangle before the eyes of the Washingtonian
the bugaboo of vicious negro domination. They sug
gest that he should permit himself be Amer
canized because fourth (251 per cent? the Dis
trct population is classed by the census negro
They argue that this percentage means negro po-
htica domination of the District and renders unfit for
participation in National the entire
population. including the three-fourths of whites.
Is there peculiar untness in the Districts white
extraordinary
trcts negro population which render the Districts
ree-fourths plus one-fourh combination vlrulently
some States becomes innocuous?
The District has the average negro population per
cenage of neighborng States and cities. Maryland 169
and Virginia, 800 average 234 as against the Dis
If the District is forbidden national representation
because of PSI per cent population must not also
Virginia and Maryland be deprived in consistency of
If Washington is unfit for Americanizaton because
of Isl negro percentage are not Baltimore 148 At
averaging 263), also unfit?
washingtons negro percentage has for so years
dropped from 285 to ISL In the period Atlantic
Citys percentage increased to 21.6 per cent.
Can One-Fourth Dominate Three Fourths?
What negro percentage dominates and contain
e not Of the per poe ppeenes rno we
is divided showed in the 1925 police census majority
The assumption that the one-quarter population
of negroes will politically dominate the three-quarers
of whites, that negro is politically stronger than
three whites, infcts undeserved, humilating sur
upon the 100000 whites of the District today
The assumption that the negro is hopelessly
and incurably unfit for Americanization that
quarter element of the population he infects with his
unftness the whole community undeservedly and in
sutngy slurs the negro Of the District.
No element Of American population has shown
since 1870 greater progress in radically reducing ii
eracy and in the industry and thrift which honestly
accumulate property than the negroes of the District
In the World War the percentage of enlisted negro
soldiers distinctly greater in the District than the
negro percentage of the Districts total population.
Fine, Strong American Community
The people of Washington-whte colored-are
not Justly subject to slurring discrimination They
constitute whole fine strong American COM
munity conspicuous for its high percentage of native
born Americans for surprising excellence in
tive lteracy and sound loyal patriotic Americanism
tainted by minimum of unassmilated alien population
of bolshevistic thought and influence.
Every analysis of the Districts population which has
been made emphasizes the existence of potential vot
ing constituency here which adequate in numbers and
unsurpassed in quality in any State Of the Union.