LETTERS WRITTEN TO PRESIDENT McKINLY IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH OF THE RACIAL VIOLENCE OF 1898 1. Letter from a white man in Columbia, South Carolina/Anonymous
Columbia, S.C.
Nov. 98
To His Excellency. W. M. McKinly,
Dear Sir, in behalf of humanity and justus, I beg leave to call your attention to the condition of affairs in this State. In Regards to the two races, Sir as a White man, I am Sorry to Say that to a large Extent the trouble is with us. I have Observed Very closely the Make-up of the Negro he is kind-hearted, quiet and Polite unless you interfears with him, and upon my honer, the trouble between White and Black in this State the Whites are the Agression. I saw an Officer of the Law after a Negro for Steeling a wring, and the Negro Resisted, the officer pulled his pistol and killed the Negro this being the Second one Sience he have bin a officer.
On the next morning the press says to the Publick that the killing was Justifiable and that was the last of that, Just a week ago a White man and a Negro got into a fight the Negro getting the best of it Seemingly when a White man step out of his office with a club delt the Negro a blow Over the head and Death was the Result. The inquest was held and the Virdick was that the Negro came to his Death by a lick in the head from parties unknown. The Press is Responsible for encouraging Lawlessness the Governor is a party to Because he sit and look on, as Dum as an Oyster Our Distinguish Senitor advise Mob-Violence in North Carolina Trouth and Justice is a thing of The pass, and the Pulpit has cease to be A Virtue. We who are Dispose to Rais Our Voices in behalf of Equil Wright and Justus be for the Law, we Dear Not for if we do we are Driven from Our homes and Love Ones by mob violence Whose Origin is the press and when South Carolina's White Sons are Driven from their homes and State it is time that something Should be don, and I Appeal to you in the Name of God, to give the Situation in S.C. your Careful Consideration. for unless Something Is Don I fear that Almighty God Will Suffer Something awful to befall us.
I Remain Very Truly a Citizen
Columbia S.C.
Please send relief as soon as possible
or we perish2. Letter from Negro woman of Wilmington, North Carolina/Anonymous
Wilmington N.C.. Nov 13, 1898
Wm. McKinley-President of the United States of America
Hon. Sir,
I a Negro woman of this city, appeal to you from the depths of my heart, to do something in the Negro behalf. The out side world only knows one side of the trouble here. There is no paper to tell the truth about the Negro here in this or any other Southern state. The Negro in this town had no arms, (except pistols perhaps in some instances) with which to defend themselves from the attack of lawless whites. On the 10th Thursday morning between eight and nine o'clock, when all Negro men had gone to their places of work. The white men led by Col. A.M. Waddell, Jno D. Bellamy & S.H. Fishblate marched from the Light Infantry Armory on Market Street to seventh down Seventh to Love & Charity Hall (which was owned by a society of Negro's,) And where the Negro daily press was,) and set afire & burnt it up, And firing guns Winchesters, they also had a Hotchkiss gun & two Colt rapid fire guns. We the Negro expected nothing of that kind so as they(the whites) had frightened them from the polls and saying they would be there with their shot guns, so the few that did vote did so quietly. And we thought after giving up to them, and they carried the state it was settled. But they or Jno D. Bellamy told them that in addition to the guns they already had they could keep back federal interference, And he could have the Soldiers at Ft Caswell to take up arms against the United States. After destroying the building they went over in Brooklyn another Negro settlement mostly and began searching every one and if you did not submit, would be shot down on the spot. They searched all the Negro Churches, and the day(Sunday) we dare not go to our places of worship. They found no guns or ammunition in any of the places. for there was none. And to satisfy their blood thirsty appetites would kill unoffending Negro men to or on their way from dinner, Some of our most worthy while Negro men have been made to leave the City. Also some whites G.J. French, Deputy Sheriff, Chief of police Jno R. Melton, Dr., S.P. Wright Mayor and R.H. Bunting United States Commissioner. We don't know where Mr. Chadbourn the Post Master is, and two or three others white. I call on you the head of the American Nation to help these humble subjects we are loyal we go when duty calls us, And are we to die likes rats in a trap? With no place to seek redress or to go with our grievances? Can we call on any other Nation for help? Why do you forsake the Negro? who is not to blame for being here. This grand and noble nation who flies to the help of suffering humanity of another nation? and leave the secessionists and born Rioters to slay us. Oh that we had never seen the light of the world, When our parents belonged to them, Why the Negro was all right now, when they work and accumulate property they are wrong. The Negroes that have been banished are all property owners to considerable extent, had they been worthless Negroes, we would not care.
Will you for God sake in your next message to congress give us some relief. If you send us all to Africa and we will be willing or a number of will gladly go. [Is this the land of the free and the home of the brave? How can the Negro sing my country tis of thee? For humanity sake help us. for Christ sake do we the Negro can do nothing but pray. There seems to be no help for us.] No paper will tell the truth about the Negro. The men of the 1st North Carolina were home on furlough and they took a high hand in the nefarious work also the companies from every little town came in to kill the Negro. There was not any Rioting simply the strong slaying the weak. They speak of special police every white man and boy from 12 years up had a gun or pistol, and the Negro had nothing, his soul he could not say was his own. Oh, to see how we are slaughtered, when our husbands go to work, we do not look for their return. The man who promises the Negro protection now as Mayor is the one who in his speech at the Opera House said the Cape Fear should be strewn with carcasses. Some papers I see say it was right to eject the Negro editor. That is all right but why should a whole city full of Negroes suffer for Manly when he was hundred of miles away, And the paper ceased publication. We were glad it was so for our own safety. But they tried to slay us all. To day we are mourners in a strange land with no protection near. God help us. Do something to alleviate our sorrows, if you please. I cannot sign my name and live. But every word of this is true. The laws of our state is no good for the Negro anyhow. Yours in much distress.
Wilmington N.C.3. Letter from Anonymous
Nov. 14 1898
To the President of these United States,
Inclose one account of the many horrible murders of "free" citizens of our community. Is there no authority that will reach these murderers. Nothing the Spainards have done in Cuba or the English when they tied the natives to the cannons mouthes(?) equals in cold bloodedness the murders in this enlightened land. As you would protect our citizens in foreign lands so prove to them that you will protect them here in their own homes.
One who is even afraid to sign his name.4. Letter from Cincinnati, Ohio/Anonymous
Nov 12, 1898
President McKinly,
For the sake of humanity send us protection the State troops are parading the street singing hand Gov Russell on a sour apple tree.
The colored clerks in the P.O. do not dare go home. There only fault is the vote of the Republican ticket do not believe these papers The Mayor had to claim the protection of the British Consul and 4 was escorted to the train by a squad of Military The American Flag is no protection therre has been seventeen negroes killed.
For God's sake send us help The Democrats after they had gained the victory burnt the newspaper building they had used the article for [carry signs](?) purposes for six weeks. the first being killed was a negro at the building they set fire to he was told to get out of the way and before he could do so he was shot in the neck it has not been put in the papers.
3638 Reading Road
Avondale Cincinati O.
5. Letter from Anna Johnson
Nov. 11, 1898
President McKinley
Dear Sir.
It is with great Desire that I dictate to you, not in my name But the name of the almighty God knowing the He is ajust God and knowing you are ajust man who has all the pwer of this land in thy hands. To send to our race of peoples protection in Wilington S.C. Give us some kind of protection. We as good race stood side by side to your race in the battle of San Juan where our race stood as soldiers of war and saved hundreds of men (white) and lay down they lives to save your men, now in the name of God who knows every good & perfect deed will you hear my plea for mercy. Giv us protection! and nothing but protection!
It is hard to think our people have gave up their homes to help to protected their fellow men white and now can't get any protection it is ashame not only in in the sight of man but in the sight of God who sees & know all we do now. I ask of you once more to take some action in this stept The almighty will bless you in & the day of ressurrection add a star to your crown & bless you thouout eternity. Oh! the day will come that you will put astop to Lynching in the south, and that long prayed for day may come when we can say that one President has stoped the lynching the south, will you hear my pleas or will you turn a deaf ear. in the name of God don't say no. But let me hear thy voice say yes.
Many say the reason the President don't protect us is because we don't ask. Now no one can say we did not ask for I have asked and in the name of God. Please hear me for the sake of our race don't let these words go by. I will pray day & night that god may strenghting you in mind & body & help you consider & may the God of heaven hear my prayers, & bless our President McKinley. I will close.
Anna M. Johnson6. Letter from Ft. Wayne, Indiana Committee of W. S. Key, Chap. Rhoades, Moses Moten, James Smith, Thos. Williams, and Edward Jones
Ft. Wayne, Ind
Nov. 11th 1898
To Wm. McKinley
Executive Mansion Washington D.C.
We the (col'ed) citizens of Ft. Wayne Ind. knowing the pregidice that exist in the South; and a part of us having lived there; and knowing that the South governor's will never call on you for aid for the (col'ed) man. for the injustise that is being heap upon him in N. and S. Carolina's we beg lieve to submit to you these following resolutions.
Where as our race are being shot down and killed like brutes. be it resolve that we the (col'ed) citizens of Ft. Wayne Ind. ask and beg your immediate protection of the (col'ed) people of N. and S. Carolina's
And be it further resolve that you see that their property are protected, and that they have their rights. We believe that Southern militia are in sympathy with the white. Knowing from experience that this true.
W.S. Key Chap. Rhoades
James Smith Moses Moten
Thos. Williams Edward Jones Committee7. Letter from The Republican committee of Pearry Taylor County, Florida/ Anonymous
Pearry Taylor Co Fla.
November, the 12, 1898
today we the republican committee do take the plasier of writing to our honorable president McKinley askin you for protection in theis country their is three men shot and one cild dead in your honor we do ask for protection that is all the way it can be put down it will haft to bee put in the united state court in your honor I will say to you I have writen to the govner about the afairs and he wont notice me, but writs to the dimacrats commitee and they cant concrol our sheirf with tem the dimacrats recaminded a man that they can contaol and govner Blachan (?) put out our sheirf and give their his a point ment give him a chance at tall our sheirf ia a god man and has him hold in ofice six years nothin a ginst him but tired gist with the dimacrats and themwhiskey gang they get to being so much whiskey stillers in this country till we could not hardly have a church for disterbin with drunken men at church I trice to reporte them for it and I was sliped up an at my work and shot too times with a shot gun I aint well yet i was shot last oct the 27 day I tride to report them for it I cant did any thing with them in this country as soon as they found out what I was at they came to gether and swarn a porilce (?) a ginst me and marzilazed (?) me after court 8 men with guns in 2 miles of my house where I had bin join for 4 day a long the road at the publice Bridge our State sulister said that he could not do any thing unless he had a dimacrat jeury a man said that he heard the State Sulister tell one of them whiskey men that he did not blaim him if he shot me because I would not ring with them. we want our same sherif back they have got a man for their sheirf that they can contraol any way they want this whiskey crowd is all right man if in your honor you dont help us we are gon in this country the old sircit juge and the sulister is in their power Because they am dimacrats in your honor will you pleas give us advise and indstruct us & how to did and what to do I can prove that the old sulister is workin with them whskey men and in their power we the republican committee of Taylor County and as you as our pesident for in struction how to did we want our same sherrif he has him for 6 years he has 2 years more we want they majorty of our county to rule our sheirf is not a dimmacrat the man they have recomended run a ginst our sheirf in this last election 2 years a go he got a bout 50 to Mr. Head too hundired and eighty
this dimacrats whiskey sellin gang could not controal our sheirf and they got in with the juge and the state sulister riforman to report our sheirf to the govnrt he natefied the dimmacrats committee to recammende a man for sheirf they recommended Tom lifscan (?)8. Letter from Harry Jones of Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado, Nov. 12th, 1898
Hon. Wm. McKinley
President of U. S. Washington, D. C.
Your Honor:-
I am a representative of the negro race which I am very proud of and feel not the least embarrassed in making this appeal to your honor. My race stands loyal to this government and to the Stars and Stripes. When the call came for the negro to pick up arms and go and face a foreign foe, leaving their own country, wives and children, they never faltered but went willingly to the field of battle and have shown the world that they were no cowards, but fighters and loyal to this government, and while these black boys were at Santiago - and some are there yet making a great record for themselves and their race - what is this country in the South doing for their brothers. Is it possible we must leave our homes and go fight a foreign for and not get any protection at home by the government we are defending? We see at Wilmington, N. C. and Greenwood, S.C. the negroes shot down like dogs and deprived of the right of ballot. We mourn the loss of our brothers, and appeal to your honor for protection. We feel that it is unjust and inhuman to our people to be treated in this manner.
The manner the negro is treated and deprived of his privileges is only a question of time how long he will be loyal to his government. The outrages of the negro in the south if left to continue will spread to the North and West, and then what is left for us to do but prove disloyal to our government.
In the name of God and humanity lend us a helping hand! Give us some protection or one kind word through the press.
Most respectfully,
Harry Jones,
1223 - 19th St.,
Denver, Colo.9. Letter from Gwango Perchlri ah of Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn Nov. 18th 1898
Mr. McKinley,
No. 1
dear president
i am very sorry to hear that you are the president of the United states and alow the white men in the South to kill and slaughter up our colored people. I do think it is a shame and an out rage. it ought to be stopped and that at once.
We have feeling much so as a white man. my Wife was born in the south and she has told me how the white man treats the Black man in the south. and from what she says I think that it ought to bee stoped and if you are the president of the united states of america. I do that it is your place to stop it at once. it is a shame. god never intended for his people who was Born of Ham, Sham and Jeffeth to Bee killed off in such a manner as this may god help them.
I am an african Born in Cape town. I fought in the war of prince Napolion., was sick in the hospital got my honorable discharge and came to this country this is a beautiful country But I would rather fight again for the Black people of this country than to eat treat a man right if he is Black don't make first of one and last of another God never intended that. here is your picture dressed in uniform. Now if you are a soldier Now is the time to take a colored man Or woman down south or any part of the world ought to Bee treated Right Lik Christians and not lik dogs Horses and Beasts. We have all got to stand Before god on that day to answer for the sins done in the Body. he don't say Because you are the president that you must die and go to heaven Because you are white. Or me Because I was Born in Cape town in africa Because I am Black no if we do What is Right down here god will take us no matter what coller we may Bee White or Black. I as an african did feel sorry for you when I could under stand that you had Lost your mother. now you ought to Bee sorry for the Black people that si Being killed and slaughted in the south.. dear president please look in to this matter and stop it at Once.
Yours a vetrin in the War
african Zoolo
gwango perchlri ah
No 20 Marion St
top floor
Brooklyn City10. Letter from Fredrina Jones of Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore M. D.
November 18, 1898
Mr. McKinley
Dear Sir I am referring to that outrage in North Cariliona I think it is a very bad way in which the colored people is treated they have got any privilige at and no protection and if he makes an affort to protect him self he is thrust in prison. they are citizens of the uninited states. but they are less thought of than the lowest forgiener. he is never on equality with the white man untill time of war then he is the black brother. and after that if he is arrested for an afence if he is guilty or not he is taken out of prison with out a fare trial and linched. now this is called a civilized coutry and this kind of doings is civilzed. I would not like to go to one that is not. for this is bad enough and another thing this is the only country that does this lynching any way. it is not the color that makes the man but the pricible. and I know that thair is just God in heaven and if the laws of the land and the government cant put a stop to it God will. for it is an outrage the way the colord people is dealt with in this country. and evry thing is a gainst the colord people I am very sorry to say. I think if it is in your power to stop it thair aught to be a stop put to it rite away. for if colord men orginize and begin fight the white men and kill and shoot thair will soon be found out away to stop all of the fuss you would soon see.
I cant see why thair is so much differance made in the two races for thair is colord people in every state just as cable of holding office as the white is.
I do not me no harm but I am only wrighting what I think and expersing my feeling's they make differance here but can not make any in heaven.
I now close
Mrs Fredrina Jones
Baltimore City M.D.11. Letter from Secretary Samuel Huffman of the National Anti-Mob and Lynch Law Association
H.C. Jenkins, President
James Harris, Vice President
HEADQUARTERS of THE NATIONAL ANTI - MOB AND LYNCH LAW ASSOCIATION *INCORPORATED
Springfield, Ohio Mar 24, 1899
Attorney Gene Griggs
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: -
The above organization appeal to you, and your official capacity to know if something cannot be done by the Government at Washington to stop the wholesale slaughter of the Negroes in the South. or if the Government of which the Negro is a native and a citizen, is carless of the wrongs done to the Negro. or in other words approve of this wholesale slaughter. Would the Negroes of America be justified in appealing to some foreign power to intervene in behalf of thier inhuman treatment. The Cubans appealed to this governemnt to protect them from the barbarous treatment, of Spain. Why cannot the American Negro appeal to Germany or France to protect them from the inhuman treatment they are receiving in this Christian land. Please answer as we desire to iknow how to proceed.
Yours Truly
Samuel E. Huffman, Sect
503 Lagrande Ave.
12. Letter from Mrs. Wilhelmina Anderson of Chester, Pennsylvania
1898
Chester Nov. 16
Mr. President
I have been reading some dreadful things in the papers about how the Southern white people have been treating the colored people in the South. I think it is to bad I am colored and have friends and relatives down there and it makes me feel bad to think that they are not safe. Can you not do something to prevent it. And stop so much murdering if it was white people I think that something would be done. We are people just as you are. And ought to have protection. In to days papers is a dreadful piece I will sent it to you. I dont supose that you will notice this letter but I want you to know that I have a feeling I am nothing but a poor washer woman and have no money only what I make washing but I have a hart I would be glad to get a letter from you Please except my writing as I never went to school in my life. I see a letter that Mrs. W.H. Felton writs about defending her race. I think that she ought to try and defend oud as we are very much mixed weth white The white men like the colored women just the same and there nothing said about it. I think that we ought begine to look at our selves I could say a greatle more but I will refrain from it.
hoping to hear from the Badly composed letter very restp
Mrs. Wilhelmina Anderson
No 317 Mary St Chester P.a.13. Letter from Pastor J. L. Burchett of Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth New Jersy
November 16th 1898
Hon. William McKinley
President of the United States,
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir;
May it please your excellent Majesty to hear an appeal from me concerning the severe persecution of my brethern in the South. This unlawful out-rage has been going on to a certain extent long before your administration, and has caused many hearts of your faithful citizens to lament and bleed because of the affair. I believe sir that is was divinely intended that you should become our chief magistrate so that this unlawful slaughter of our people might come to an immediate end. I know that you abhor the idea of such unlawfulness, hence do not write to arouse your christian sympathy or personal feelings in the matter for I know you have that. But I appeal to you in the name of almighty God who is the Ruler of all, and as a God fearing minister of the gospel from the South, and because I know and recognize you to be our chief magistrate, and because you are on the throne of power and hold the reins of this government. We, sir, are law abiding citizens, born and reared under this government, taken our oath to protect her flag, and at the expense of our own life's blood we will protect it.
This government, in turn, has pledged by her constitution to protect her citizens by her laws; yet in defiance of her law, many of her faithful sons, the colored people of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia, I refer especially to the present out-rage at Wilmington, N.C. and other states, of the South are simply treated as out-laws before the eyes of your excellent reign. Have the colored people a part in this government? Have they no protection at all? Is there no provision made in the Constitution of the United States for the protection of all her citizens as wellas for some? Let the 13th, 14th, and 15th. amendments to the constitution be carried out to the extent of the law, and I am sure that we shall not be burdened with so much grief because of the unlawful outrages upon our brethern in the South. I know that your honor's reign has been fraught with much trouble with foreign nations and you were right in protecting it, but don't lets forget that wonderful truth that "Charity must begin first at home". I beg, sir, that no step to better the condition of affars in the South will escape your notice.
Your's sincerely:
J.L. Birchett Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church
103 W. Murray St.
Elizabeth, N.J.14. Letter from Wilmington, North Carolina/Anonymous
Wilmington NC
Nov. 15, 1898
Mr. McKinly
Dear Sir, the poor citizens of the colored people of North Carolina are suffering there is over four hundred men, women and children are driven from their home far out into the woods by the democrate party. Look out for a letter from Wilmington north Carolina and in that letter that it will be the names of the citizens but that letter is not true and if you have ever help the colored people, for God sake help them now, that old confradate flag is floating in Wilmington north Carolina. The city of Wilmington is under confradate laws we are over powed with the rapid fire of guns, and they set fire to almost half of the city. I would give you my name but I am afraid to own my name it is from a colored citens
Wilmington NC15. Letter from Frank Dudly James and Fredrick Murray of the Adjutant Shaw Veteran Association, Boston, Massachutsetts
Fred'k T. Murray
Adjutant Shaw Veteran Association
Headquarters' 61 Court St.
Residence, 16 Grove St.
Boston Nov 14 1898
Hon Wm Mc Kinley
Sir
I write you in behalf of the Colored Citizens' of Boston against the outrages of the colored man of the South, all through the South they are murdering the Black man. I hope Pres that you will investigate.
We look to you to show your hand, you showd your ability in the Spanish American war, so did my Colored Brothers. I hope the people have not forgot the 10th Colored Calvery, after saving Gov Elect Rosevelt, and his rough riders.
Hoping Reply,
Frank Dudly James.
Fredrick Murray.16. Letter from Robert H. Bunting and John R. Melton, formerly of Wilmington, North Carolina
Washington DC
Dec. 24/98
Hon. William McKinley
Dear Sir
We the undersigned have been driven from Wilmington, NC our home for this reason were Republican and stood up for the Republican Party, we have been here six weeks with only little means to subsist on, we have made every effort to get employment and have failed, we can't return to our family and home we have been notified through the public press at Wilmington N.C. that if we returned we would be killed, one of our number "Gilbert" who was exiled or banished with us returned to Wilmington and has been compelled to leave again. We are in a deplorable condition and ask that you use your office if there is no impropriety, to get us employment in the government service. We do think that our case is a most extraordinary one and as our party is in power naturally that we would be placed in position somewhere. We would have called on you and laid our troubles before you but we know that your time was too valuable hence we take this method of writing you.
Hoping Mrs. McKinley and yourself will spend a merry Christmas and wishing you both a happy New Year.
We remain your most respt
R. H. Bunting
John R. Melton
318 Penn Avenue NW
Washington DC
P.S. We would like very much to have an interview with you for then we can explain our case more satisfactory. Mr. Secretary, please exhibit to Mr. McKinley this letter as he may be allowed an opportunity to see it.17. Letter from Rosa Jackson of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
Pittsburg, Pa.
Nov. 14 98
Pres. McKinley:
Dear Sir
Excuse me for addressing you concerning the Constitution of the U.S. and being of a female sex. It is a Resolution of mine concerning the lynching of the Negroes in Wilmington N.C. and hope it will be approved by you and also a Title of Nobelty granted by you and with consent of Congress We have resolved to organize a military
I am quite young and have never experienced but two nominations of Presidents Cleveland and yourself Mckinley not knowing much of politics but for my judgement I do not think we could find a man of more nobelty to wear the hat of union. I esteem you of such power to impress upon congress protection for our Negroes in South which is stated in the Constitution of the U.S. in Section 3rd. he shall from time to time give to congress information of the State of the Nation and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expediend. The U.S. shall guarantee to every state in this Union a Republican form of government. and shall protect each of them against invasion. Sec. 151
The rights of citizens of U.S. to note shall not be denied or abridged by the U.S. or by any state. On account of race, color, or previous condition or servitude. Section 5- Congress shall have power to enforce by appropriating a legislation Trusting in God and following the preamble and specification known as the Declaration of Independence accomapanied the resolution of Richard henry Lee while wasd adopted by congress 2nd day of July 1776. and this declaration was agreed to on the 4th and the transaction is thus recorded in the journal for that day.
Section 6. In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial. By an impartial jury of the State and District where in the crime shall have been committed.
Our people are abridged of such laws in the southern states by the Democratic party. As I noticed in one of our daily papers that one of our leading white ladies in the Southern states stated Lynching them if it is 50 a day which has not been disproved by the United States. I being a Southern myself I know something about the equal rights of them. Neither slavary nor involuntary servitude except as a punishment for crime whereof the person shall have been convicted shall exist within the U.S. or any place subject to their jurisdiction Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. We are naturalized in the U.S. and subject to the jurisdiction thereof. are citizens of the U. States and the states wherein they reside..
No state shall make or inforce no law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of the citizens of the U.S. nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty or equal rights without due process of law or deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protections of the Laws.
I hope you will being the President of the U.S. take my resolution into consideraton to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them to It becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another. We hold these truths to be self evident as all men are created equal. that they are endowed by their creator by certain enailable rights. I hope you will give this your strict attention and I will look for a speedy answer concerning our Negroes in the Southern States. The laws which the Democratic party are imposing upon them which our Constitution of the Union States that Congress has the law to appropriate such treatment our negroes are under. We being naturalized citizens of the United States and endowed by the same Creator if we dont speak now in five years to come We may as well hold our peace. Now Mr. McKinley I have stated to you my Resolution hoping there be no offense will you oblige me enough to impress this upon Congress and give me an answer favorable to our negroes in the Southern States. In which I shall enclose a two cent stamp for a speedy answer.
Yours respety
Rosa Jackson
2832 Smallman Str.
Pittsburg, Pa.
Allegheny Co.18. Letter from John C. Lawson of Chicago, Illinois
355 - 31. St.
Chicago, Ill.
Nov. 14, '98
Hon. Pres. McKinley
I beseech the for humanity sake or for the sake of the race I belong. It is Sir a shame, a black man on this great country of ours to have a race of people treated as the negroes of N.C. have been and have done more for the race than any other pres. we have had since I have been in the world which has only been 18 years. When you was running for Presidency I was in the State of Ala. and Tenn. and I worked hard for your Election and had it not been for the negro race I dont know if you would have been Pres. or not. Now the whites curse the negro. We are men. We fought as men in the war of '65 and we have make a recorded in the Spanish-American war due to go down in history. I doubt if it will. now we are always ready to defend our country but the country defends us not. Now all I ask you to do in your message to Congress and you can help us some. Now I pray Gods Blessing upon you.
Yours in Christ
John C. Lawson19. Letter from Rev. R.A. Bolen of Asbury Park, New Jersey
Asbury Park N.J. Nov. 15th 1898
President Wim. McKinley your Hon:
I feel it is my duty to Write you concerning the condition of afairs in this our country at the present time and in the future. (1) the condition of things in the South, there are so much jealusey among the Whites against the Negros that it is dangous for the black man to be seen on some streets or in the country roads. every negro that shows a sign of enteligence he must either leave the South or be mob by What is know as the best citizens of that community; now Pres. McKinley, and your Honrable advisers the Negro is a citzen of this U.S. they earn their citzenship man fully (1) by the labour of their hand and body, 245 years of Servetude the cruelest that is recorded on the pages of history Since creation, (2) they never flinch from duty or show an unwillingness to take up arms and offer their lives for to defend this country against any foes this you know better than I do; (3) he has been Loyal to the party that has brought prosperity to this nation; and that is one of the reasons there are so many negro haters in the South; and (4) by an act of the Congress of the U.S. they were made citzen. notwithstanding the oppasision that were made by the same best citzens of their community. this rioting and murdering are simply being carried on to criple if possible the present Administration (5) they are citzens & there are laws made and ralifide by the Nation to protect all of its subjects. so the Negro has a right to be protected and if he or any other person transgress the law let him be delt with acording to the law and that will satisfie us. Now your hon. you are not quite over with the struggle with your neighbors who was treating their subjects so cruel, but in that struggle God Was With you and you was sucesfull in bringing freedom to those people, it brought to this Administration great honor. now the other great Nations are puzzled, they cannot understand how the U.S. can see a mote in his neighbors eye and cannot see or feel the beam in his own eye. there are about 12,000,000 of negros in this country that is in the U.S. and about 70,000,000 of Whites the number of Negros are small but the God thats for them is more than the gods that is for those negro haters. I hope you know that the majority of that 70,000,000 are in sympathy With the Negro. I hope you Will take Some Step to Stop this out law and lynching in this country; I notice that you refer the delegation that waited on you to Hon. J.W. Griggs he is the man We the citzens of N.J. thinks thinks that there is none like him if the Administration and his advisers will stand by Mr. Griggs he will bring those that are guilty to justice White or black. Now lastly; this thing can be stop the prayers of the righteous are going up to God and if some action is not taken very soon you and I will live to see the the God of power Who has no respect of persons. Will raise up a nation proberly inferior to us in number but With the help og God who will lead them Will take down our Stars abd Stripes and raise another that will be just to all men,
Hoping to hear from you I am yours Truly in Christ
Rev. R.A. Bolen Pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Asbury Park New Jersey20. Letter from Della V. Johnson of Winston, North Carolina
An Appeal for Justice
It is an undeniable fact and a grievous wrong, that the present condition of the Negro living in our Southern States which constitute so largely an important part of this great republic, ("America") and in the presence of our great American leader, defender of human rights and priviledges and christian advocate, I beg of you your Excellency the President of the United States of America, to raise your voice in defence of the American Negro citizens of the States of North and South Carolina who are simply the targets of all the political diabolical out-rages, wrongs, and barbarous treatment they are receiving from their fellow citizens. As well as political enemies. Sir I beg of you in the face of the unconstitutional wrong, and for the sake of humanity in the name of God who frowns upon all wrongs of whatever kind they may be; I implore you for the sake of justice to stop this outrageous sin.
If I could reach the hearts of all patriotic, law-abiding, christian citizens, I believe I would have a large concourse of religious, liberty-loving, God fearing Americans agree with me in these shameful menacing environments, that we a part of this great nations people are constantly subjected to.
Most honored and esteemed, Sir; I am an American woman, born under our honored flag and loving all that it teaches, all that it implores, and all that it enables; I offer to you Sir, and to my people as well what ever service I can possible render in the defence of these recent, and continued deplorable wrongs.
I would suggest that special divine service be held in churches of every denomination, imploring divine help from Almighty God, for the liberation of these poor defenceless Americans, whose sons aided so largely this government in securing and giving to Cuba the rights and priviledges all people should enjoy, that of Equal Justice, and Independence.
I beseech you to issue a Proclamation that may awaken consciousness in the hearts of white citizens in that Section of this rebublic to cease these hostilities against the black Americans living in those States.
I am Respectfully,
and most obediently
Della V. Johnson
Winston, N. C.
Temporary address
# 112 E first Street N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Nov. "14th" 1898
copy from The National Archives; Record group No. 6021. Article from the Wilmington Messenger, November 14, 1898
VIEWS OF THE RIOT - Rev. C. T. Blackwell
REV. C.T. BLACKWELL Calls Attention TO Several Remarkable Features Of The Affair-Differing In Many Respects From Ordinary Riots.
In speaking yesterday with the Rev. C.S. Blackwell, Ph.D* , pastor of First Baptist church, about the race conflict in Wilmington on Thursday, a Messenger representative said:
"Dr. Blackwell you have had some observation of riots in different cities, have you not?"
"Yes, I was pastor in St. Louis during the labor strikes and railroad and street car riots in the early '80's, and also in Chicago at the time of the Hay-market bomb throwing and anarchisti's riots and hangings."
What are your impressions of our disturbances in the past few days as compared with such things in the west aid north?"
"They differ in every particular except in one point, viz: a few people are killed in both. But the spirit actuating both sides, and the methods of doing it are totally different. There, the moving motive is primarily money; hence there is a furious madness, inflamed in every instance by liquor. Here, the ruling motive is the outraged dignity of a proud dominant race calmly determined to assert its innate right to rule, to protect its person and property in the midst of an inferior and misguided race was secondary. There, the point of contact is always property, hence the city, railroads, mine owners and factory proprietors simply call on the police to double the force, or on the government to send the soldiers, or perhaps, personally hire Pinkerton men to stand up and shoot down the howling and half drunken mobs. There the whole thing is a conflict of brawn and bullion. Hence it was brutal, cold blooded and hard hearted as the gold dollar for which each was fighting. Here the point of contest is personality. Here the element of paternalism entered. Here no man expected to make a dollar out of this conflict. All knew they were loosing money. There was something deeper and higher than dollars--the dignity of a race, the honor of home and family now and for the future were at stake. Also the responsibility of teaching a misguided race was present in every reflecting mind. Hence the people could not and did not want to hire police, soldiers, or foreign detectives to shoot down, or put back to their birth place the negroes. Such a performance would not have been effective here. In the north to quell a labor riot by machines would be just as effective as by personal superiority and sacrifice, this being our lofty motive, our methods had to be in keeping-hence our citizens, all of our citizens, armed themselves, organized themselves, drilled themselves for weeks, met together in our public mass meetings--deliberate with judiciousness, gave their ultimatum as a master should have done to the other side.
...........**That a few negroes were shot was a mere incident. "You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. The primary purpose was not to kill but to educate."
"You say there was a sort of paternalism about our proceedings?"
"Yes, and by that I mean that our white people do not hate or harbor malice in their hearts towards the negro. The day following our conflict, the whites and negroes were working right along together in the best of feelings. It was just as if a wise and rightful ruler of a ward should fund that ward growing insolent from bad associations and took the child in hand to chastise it. After the chastisement the man does not hate the child and hold malice in his heart. The white people here do not hate the negro as such. We feel we have these people here and in a sense are responsible for them. That we know them as no other people, not reared with them, can know them, and that we know they are utterly incapable of either ruling themselves or any body else and that whenever they get out of their place they have to be put back to their place by the rough hand of material and masterful force. That is the only kind of reasoning that finally convinces the negro race. Capital and labor conflicts are heartless, ours is heartful. The few capitalists really fear the many labors. We Anglo-Saxons have no real fear in our breasts as to the negro. They kill to save their nuggets. We kill to save the negro from himself.
"In all this there is not the slightest disposition to humiliate the negroes. The white people hold the negroes in the highest respect, so long as they observe their place and position. The white people would and did during the riot, protect such negroes with their lives. During the hottest excitement our best citizens were seen on the streets conducting negro men and women to their homes, lest some excited and irresponsible person should insult or injure them. This is what I mean by the paternal element that enters into our race conflicts."
What is your idea as to the future good?"
"There will be a lasting and wholesome mental respect between the races based on a right understanding. A change of manners on the streets for the better is already observable. It will leave a lasting good on the minds of the negro children. For fifteen years at least, there has grown up gradually among the negro children a spirit of disobedience to their own parents, and insolence toward white people in general, and white children in particular. They had never seen in all their lives any strong hand, holding a rod of chastisement that they had the least fear of, or respect for, until Thursday and Friday they looked upon the rapid fire guns and Winchesters in the hands of determined masterful white men, whom they have met every day on the streets and whom they will meet in the future to respect. It struck terror in their hearts. It put new thoughts into their woolly heads. It took out of their minds a quantity of that false teaching they have received from The Record and other sources, and from the few white men who have used their parents to secure office. These children have seen, and in a sense felt the rod, which when spared too long, is as apt to spoil a childish race, as an individual child of any race or family."
"What about the temper of the people?"
"The soberness of the people was characteristic of the high and holy work they were performing. There was not the least fear among the white people that needed to be spurred on to desperate deeds by liquor, as in the strike riots. I mingled in the midst of the hottest of it all day and I never saw an intoxicated citizen of Wilmington. They went about as serious, and as they felt, a religious duty, feeling the right of personal responsibility. The patience of our people with the false position the negroes were led to assume for years was marvellous, and when they actually took the evil into hand to correct it their spirit of forbearance was superb."
"Personally, I feel thankful that I was here at this time. I feel that I know Wilmington as well as if I had been reared here. You know you may live in a community with another man for half a life time and not really know him. Go in the army with him a week and see hum under the test of tug and war, and you will know him. After this week I feel that I really know Wilmington, and love it."
* Typed as it appeared in the article.
** Unable to read line immediately before
The above article appeared in The Wilmington Messenger Monday, November 14, 1898