Editorial on Woodrow Wilson and Race

It would not seem to require much urging to persuade a President to "speak some public word that will give hope and encouragement" to the American negro, but Woodrow Wilson's attitude toward the race has thus far been outwardly so unsympathetic that only his utterance of the word will dispel doubt of his willingness to say it. There is cause for gratification, however, in Mr. Tumulty's statement to the delegation that called at the White House yesterday, that the President has consulted department officials regarding better protection for our negro citizens. The petition presented to the President and Congress is an appeal from the States to the nation. It merely stands upon the record when it observes that "the States are either unwilling or unable to put down lynching and mob violence." It asks, therefore, that these acts be made Federal crimes, by statute if possible, by Constitutional amendment if necessary. Special point is given the petition by the lynching of a man not a negro, in the North, not the South, for a cause that is not clear. It can no longer be argued that lynching is a peculiar institution of the South. It has been resorted to in almost every large section of the whole country. Yet the States have done almost nothing except debate the question. Small wonder that those who furnish most of the victims are demanding protection from Washington.