856

August 10, 1913

Personal

Mr. Oswald Garrison Villiard,
Editor The Evening Post, New York City.

Dear Mr. Villard:—

You do not know how very glad I am to see your recent editorial on the racial discrim-
ination in the departments at Washington. It shows a fine spirit and 1 an sure will do
good. I am glad to note that a number of newspapers, especially those in Western New York,
have already based editorials on the Evening Post editorial. They all speak in the
tone that you do.

I cannot believe that either President Wilson or Mr. Tumulty realizes what harm is
being done to both races on account of the recent policy of racial discrimination in the
departments. I have recently spent several days in Washington, and I have never seen
the colored people so discouraged and bitter as they are at the present time. I am sure
that President Wilson does not realize to what extent a lot of narrow little people in
Washington are taking advantage of these orders and are overriding and persecuting the
colored people in ways that the President doesen't know about.

I have always had great faith in President Wilson. Seen after his inauguration I
gave out an interview in which I stated that I believed he would be just to the colored
people.

As I have come into contact with President Wilson and read, his addressed, his whole
heart seems to be centered in trying to give every man a chance especially a man who dreams. Surely the Negro in
this country is the man who needs encouragement from the hands of President Wilson.

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