Microfilm Reel 231, File 152a, "Segregation"

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tion threatening to emancipate the slaves in the Seceding States if they would not return to the Union. The First of January, a large number of negros called at the White House and Mr Lincoln addressed them. He said that they should not rejoice too much about it, for it was a war measure and not in their interest. That it was uncertain whether the two races could live together in this country, both in a condition of freedom.

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That this was the white man's country, and perhaps the negro population would have to be deported.

This incident is referred to in some of the biographies of Mr. Lincoln, but the newspaper accounts were as I have stated it - a little stronger than in the biographies.

I mention the incident - as it indicates that your attitude towards the colored race is much more kindly than Mr. Lincoln's was; and perhaps, on some occasion, it might be

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interest to you to say so.

Please find in my interest in all that concerns you an excuse for this intrusion.

Very Sincerely Yours L. A Ashe

[stamp: THE WHITE HOUSE NOV 15 1914 RECEIVED]

Ackgd 11/16/14

November Thirteenth, Nineteen Hundred and Fourteen.

152a

My dear Mr. President:

With respect to the recent Trotter incident and race segregtion in the Departments.

While we may differ in some matters politically, I an more than delighted to express my admiration for your fearless utterances, and to express the hope that when you finally relinquish the reins of government, the American people, as a whole, and without regard to race creed or party affiliations, will say you were the best President ever.

Always with my best wishes,

Sincerely and cordially yours, [A. D. Bell?]

To the PresidentHonorable Woodrow Wilson, The White House, Washington, D. C.

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Ackgd 11/14/14

Washington, D. C. Nov. 13, 1914.

[stamp: THE WHITE HOUSE NOV 14 1914 RECEIVED]

Hon. Joseph P. Tumulty, Secretary to the President,

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My dear Sir:-

Being in a position to know something about the attitude of the colored race toward the President, I beg to express to him, through you, that the actions of that "self constituted delegation" which went to see him on Thursday does not meet the approbation of the best thinking class of our race.

These men, Mr. Secretary, urged on by a certain class of white republicans, are starting out early to capture votes for the Presidency in 1916. This same Trotter, who was spokesman for that delegation, is the editor of The Boston Guardian. In 1912, during the Presiden-

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tial campaign, Trotter and other colored editors, in their efforts to keep colored voters from voting for the President, dwelled upon the subject that "if elected Mr. Wilson wouldn't do anything for his colored friends and supporters." I met that statement through the public press (I was denied a hearing through The Boston Guardian) calling the colored voters' attention to what President Cleveland did for our people, &c.; that Presdent Wilson would do the same. It matters not what Trotter and the "early starters" for the political fight in 1916 may say, or do, the President may rest assured that his colored friends and supporters will stand by him in 1916.

My very best wishes to him.

I have the honor to be, Your obedient servant,

J. C. Cunningham,

26 Defrees St. N.W.

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