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Ackgd 6/30/16
[stamp: THE WHITE HOUSE JUN 30 1916 RECEIVED]
June 29th, 1916.
Dear Mr. President:
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Viewing with interest the coming election, and the part the Negro race will have in it, the officers of the Forum, a weekly publication, would thank you for some message, or some expression from you to the colored electors of the Country, to be published in its July issue, and circulated through the two hundred and fifty colored journals in the United States.
The position of the Administration towards the colored soldiers now in Mexico, and the Presidential proclamation of July, 1915, urging support of the Negro Exposition at Richmond, Virginia; the aid given from time to time, to solve the Negro Industrial problems have naturally attracted the attention of the intelligent Negroes of this Country.
With the thought in view of aiding the cause you espouse, and bringing you in closer touch with the Race, the publishers of the Forum cherish the hope that it might not be esteemed unworthy of your notice, on their invitation, to respond to the question, "If you could speak commandingly to the whole Negro race of America, what would you say to them?"
With sincere regard,
Your obedient servant, Rufus Lewis Perry President [handwritten symbol]
Hon. Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States, White House, Washington, D. C.
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[stamp: JUN 5 1916]
June 30th., 1916.
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Hon. J. P. Tumulty, Secretary to the President, White House, Washington, D.C.
My dear Sir:
Your favor of June 21st. to hand in answer to my letter to the President, for which I thank you. I am deeply in earnest in this matter, and I think the tine is very opportune to begin our campaign among the colored people of New York and elsewhere, as soon as possible as I know a great number of colored voters in New York who are not at all satisfied with the Republican nominee, and I think they are in a receptive mood,and if the proper effort is made we can make great inroad into the Republican vote in New York, and I have friends in all sections of the country who are not at all satisfied with the result of the Republican Convention. Of course, I do not wish to convey the idea, that we can get one-half of the colored vote, but there is no doubt that we can get a great many if some honest effort is made with convincing argument to show them, that we desire their vote. I would like to have an interview with your campaign manager here, or anyone you may designate who may be inclined to discuss this matter freely and fairly with me, as I have the situation well in hand from our point of view, and would like to do something to aid in the success of our next President.
Trusting that I may hear from you in this matter, if 83818
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[stamp: THE WHITE HOUSE JUL 18 1916 RECEIVED]
Ackgd 7/18/16
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July 17th 1916.
My dear Mr. Tumulty:-
Some days ago I wrote you in reference to a statement from the President to the colored people. I wished to enlist them in his behalf, knowing that there is little enthusiasm among them for Mr. Justice Hughes.
Since writing you the colored papers in this jurisdiction have taken up the candidates, and 1 enclose you a copy of the New York Age, which considered the candidacy of both President Wilson and Justice Hughes.
I would like very much to aid in the cause and trust that I am not presumptuous in again writing you to learn if it is not possible to get some message from the President to the Race. I am confident much good could be done by such, and would greatly aid those who have for years sought to influence the Race to vote intelligently.
I trust you will pardon the liberty I take upon your time and charge it to my zeal for your cause.
Your obedient servant, Rufus Lewis Perry
Hon. Joseph P. Tumulty, Secretary to the President, White House, Washington, D. C.
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