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(3)

It is well to understand that the Democratic party cannot have the support
of the Negro vote in the North, East, and West while it denies the ballot
to the members of our race in the south; for a National Party to
take such a position is unfair, unreasonable and untenable.

Owing to the character of the opposition in certain quarters to a negro
being appointed Recorder of Deeds, it has becone a test-case and we are
not now contending so much for the office as we are for the principle,
involved, namely: the right of Negroes to be nominated and confirmed
in important offices.

We do hope Mr. President, that you will not hesitate to make the nomination
of a colored man to the office of The Recorder of Deeds or to one of equal
importance where Senatorial confirmation is required, for we desire to
know whether it is to be the policy of the democratic party to accord to
Negroes the same rights and recognition granted to other citizens of the
Nation or in other words, can the Democratic Party afford to ignore a half
million voters, on account of their color, who are constantly increasing in
numbers? I repeat Mr. President, it is not a question of not being prepared
to submit the name of a qualified and conpetant man in the District of
Columbia, for Recorder of Deeds, this can be done because we have any
number of men in the District of Columbia, and men of honor and credit
to the Colored race and the administration.

Most respectfully yours,
Alexender Walters

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