James A. Gallivan to Woodrow Wilson

Title

James A. Gallivan to Woodrow Wilson

Creator

Gallivan, James A.

Identifier

CS10

Date

1914 November 11

Description

Letter to Woodrow Wilson from Congressman James A. Gallivan urging abolition of segregation in the federal government so that the reputation for justice and equality in the Democratic party may be maintained.

Source

Library of Congress
Wilson Papers, Series 4, 152A Reel 231, Manuscript Division

Publisher

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum

Subject

Trotter, William Monroe, 1872-1934
African-Americans--segregation

Contributor

Althea Cupo
Maria Matlock

Language

English

Provenance

Digital copy acquired from federal archives by previous WWPL Archivist, Heidi Hackford.

Text

Hon. Woodrow Wilson,
President of the United States,
White House,
Washington, D.C.

Your Excellency:

I have just learned that on Thursday at 11 A.M., a delegation of colored citizens are to be given an audience with Your Excellency. I understand that they desire to protest against segregation based on race prejudice. I have been asked by a representative body of colored men in Boston to say to you that they are anxious that if said segregation exists in the departments of the Government that if be abolished. I join with them in this request in orđer that the reputation for justice and equality of our National Democratic Party may be maintained. I agree with Governor Walsh of our state that if there is any condition existing in Washington or elsewhere that could be interpreted as discriminating against our colored population, it should be ended and with him I agree that "every effort should be made by our government to have all our people fully realize that they enjoy equal rights and equal privileges.”

Yours Very Truly,

James A. Gallivan
12th Massachusetts.

Original Format

Letter

To

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/CS10.pdf

Citation

Gallivan, James A., “James A. Gallivan to Woodrow Wilson,” 1914 November 11, CS10, Race and Segregation Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.