Mr. Taft and the Race Question

After being named the next President of the United States, William H. Taft delivers a speech to the North Carolina Society of New York at Hotel Astor. The Planet says it is “one of the most remarkable that he has as yet delivered, and all things considered, one of the best.”

Hon. William H, Taft, who has been recently chosen as the statesman to succeed President Roosevelt in the White House delivered an address last Monday night before the North Carolina Society of New York at Hotel Astor. His address was one of the most remarkable that he has as yet delivered, and all things considered, one of the best. He showed more skill in dealing with a delicate and embarrassing subject than he has shown on several similar occasions. He is quoted as follows: “Prosperity in the North is accompanied by prosperity in the South, and a halt one means a halt in the other. Northern people meet Southern people and find them friendly and charming and full of graceful and grateful companionship. What is it that set the South apart, and takes from the Southern people the responsibilities which the members of a republican ought to share in respect to the conduct of the national government? Why is it that what is done at Washington seems to be the work of the North and the West and not of the South? Should this state of affairs continue? These are the questions that force themselves on those of us concerned with the government who are most anxious to have a solid, united country, of whose will the course of the government shall be an intelligent interpretation and expression.” This then was the sum and substance of what he desired to discuss. He said further: I come at once to the present condition of things, stated from a constitutional and political standpoint. And that is this. That in all the Southern states it is possible by election laws prescribing proper qualifications for the suffrage, which square with the Fifteenth Amendment and which shall be equally administered as between the black and white races to prevent entirely the possibility of a domination of Southern State, county or municipal governments by an ignorant electorate, white or black. It is further true that the sooner such laws when adopted are applied with exact equality and justice to the two races the better for the moral tone of state and community concerned.” The above is admirably stated. It is spoken in a way and manner that can certainly give no offense to an intelligent colored man, who has the welfare of the country at heart. He says: “Negroes should be given an opportunity equally with whites by education and thrift to meet the requirements of eligibility which the state legislatures in their wisdom shall lay down in order to secure the safe exercise of the electoral franchise. The Negro should ask nothing other than equal chance to qualify himself for the franchise, and when that is granted by law and not denied by executive discrimination he has nothing to complain of. Mr. Taft stated the situation exactly and we heartily agree with him. We should have equal opportunities with the whites in the matter of education and we hope some day to get it. Here in Richmond, we have two school buildings closed to the children and the pupils are now being taught in a limited time and no arrangements have been made for the betterment of their condition. The City Council has just appropriated $200.00 per annum for the colored children to play and absolutely nothing for the children to study. Judge Taft continues: The proposal to repeal the Fifteenth Amendment is utterly impracticable and should be relegated to the limbo of forgotten issues. It is very certain that any party founded on the proposition would utterly fail in a national canvass and that the hope is futile...

“Mr. Taft and the Race Question,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed May 12, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/787.