961

[stamp: ACKG'D
JUN 17 1914
T.M.H.]

[stamp: THE WHITE HOUSE
JUN 17 1914
RECEIVED]

152

June 16, 1914

Hon. Woodrow Wilson, President.
Executive Mansion.
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:-

Referring to our letter of May 28th, we desire most re-
spectfully to direct your attention to these further considera-
tions.

The present policy of your Administration can have but
one result; that is, to destroy the movement anong Negroes
toward political independence. No enterprise ever undertaken
by Negroes held out promise of greater good than this one. We
who had some part in this movement, believed that the alliance
of the Negro with the Democratic Party was the normal dictate of
his social and economic interest, and that by means of such an
alliance more amicable relations between the races would be
created in all sections of the country. We cherished the high-
est traditions of the Party- liberty, equality and opportunity.
We believed that the spirit of its greatest apostle, Thomas
Jefferson, still guided its course; and that its historical
antagonism toward our race persisted solely by reason of the
Negro's misguided loyalty to the Republican Party. You we
looked to as the ideal democrat, hailed as another Lincoln.
In your keeping we believed that our rights, along with the
rights of all other Americans would be secure.

We respectfully submit that your Administration should
not for any reason, nor in any manner whatsoever, either make or
condone race distinctions to the predjudice of any class of
Citizens. The consitution forbids it, the ideals of the
Democratic Party forbid it, and your promises to us forbid it.
This Nation is strong enough to accord justice to every citizen.
Justice requires that the Negro shall not because of his race
be denied the privilege of holding political office. This
privilege is one that inheres in citizenship under a free govern-
ment.

The race question, in so far at least, as it concerns
the Federal Government, presents only a moral issue. If other

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