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this to be preposterous. Moreover, we are certain, that as
spokesman of your administration here, Mr. Malone would not dare
prostitute federal patronage to personal or factional uses; and
we likewise personally know that there is no faction of any im-
portance in the ranks of the Democratic Organization which is op-
posed to the present leadership, and that the Organization stands
ready to support you as the leader of party thought and sentiment
in any policy for the good of the party or of the country. What
then is the real reason for Mr. Malone's treatment of us? It seems
to us that he is catering to the anti-Negro sentiment recently
grown so powerful. We feel confident that he does not have
your support in this matter.

We regret the necessity that compels us to address you on
this subject at a time when you are occupied with so many affairs
of momentous import to the country, but we trust that you will
recognize that this is a matter of paramount importance to us, and
perhaps to the Democratic Party in this state. Our Organization
includes all the colored democrats in New York. In New York County
where we are strongest, we had in 1912, a membership of more than
five thousand voters. If it were not unfortunately true that as
yet it has been impossible for you to carry out the promises made
to us before your election, we are certain that at the coming con-
gressional elections, we should be able to claim the support of ten
thousand colored democrats. We hope, therefore, that you will find
it possible to assist us in this matter; and that by some official
act or public utterance, you will contribute towards the success of
the efforts we are making to regain and hold the ground which had
been won for the cause of democracy among colored men in this state.

For our part, it gives us genuine pleasure to assure you of
our faith in you, and of our support in all you are so nobly en-
deavoring to do for the welfare of the country and the cause of
humanity.

With assurances of the highest regard, we are

Most respectfully yours,
Robert N. Wood

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