That Negro Uprising

A conference of black men is held in Philadelphia to solve issues and discuss their “unalterably opposed” feelings towards President Roosevelt and Secretary Taft.

The conference of colored men that met at Philadelphia last Tuesday representing it is reported thirty seven States is especially significant at this time. All of them are unalterably opposed to President Roosevelt in particular and Secretary Taft in general. This opposition is based on the attitude of both of these gentlemen relative to human rights as shown in the Brownsville case and we confess that we cannot see that they are wrong in their conclusions. Bishop Alexander walters is evidently the moving spirit in this meeting and Mr. William Monroe Trotter is the star agitator in the whole proceedings. If any mistake has been made at all, it was in electing Mr. William Monroe Trotter, President instead of making him Secretary or Chairman of the Executive Board. He hardly has the discretion essential to the performance of the duties of this office. We hope that we are mistaken, however. Bishop Walters should have held this position. Still, the men in Philadelphia on the ground may know their business better than the one in Virginia. Mr. Trotter is earnest, vigorous, and sincere, but he has not the age on him. This will temper him in time. We hope though for the sake of the cause that he will make no mistake at this critical period of the race’s experience. We shall be in a better position to express a further opinions when we see the address to the country. For our part, we are in a mood that makes us feel like going to any length to rebuke the doctrine enunciated by these latter-day Republicans, that there is one law upon the statute books for the white man and another for the Negro. It will be well to find out just how far the colored people of the country, free from compromising environments will sustain us and then go no further. We should emphasize our protests with visible means of enforcement. The idea that a man must prove his innocence, rather than that his accuser must prove his guilt is a doctrine too absurd for a moment’s consideration. President Roosevelt has treated those colored soldiers wrongfully and he should be statesmen enough to admit it and make amends for his unfortunate blunder. Whether it be North or South, East or West, on this side of the river of the other, the cry will be “Remember Brownsville.” Even those of us who shall die before the election expect to carry out our complaints to God in person and tell Him all about our troubles. Colored men of the United States, tell Mr. Roosevelt all about it and advise him to change his policy and re-arrange his plans in order that those of us who have admired him in the past may be able to say a good word for him after he is gone, both to his children and his children’s children.

“That Negro Uprising,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 20, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/541.