Irving K. Merchant to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Irving K. Merchant to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Merchant, Irving K.
Identifier
CS28
Date
1914 November 13
Description
Writer apologizes for Trotter’s conduct and says the races need to understand each other better.
Source
Library of Congress
Wilson Papers, Series 4, 152A Reel 231, Manuscript Division
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
St. Paul School,
Lawrenceville, Virginia,
November 13th, 1914
President Woodrow Wilson,
Washington, D.C.,
My dear President Wilson:-
I have just read an account of the happening in your private office on Thursday when you received a delegation of colored men who had come to ask for certain rights for their race. I am, indeed, very sorry, if Mr. Trotter, so the newspapers say, lost control of himself and became offensive to you and the others. I want to say in defense of ten millions of American Negroes that no such spirit, as demonstrated in your presence, meets with our approval. It is true that we are not given all we should have, but at the same time I have faith in the American White man, and I believe he will give the colored man a full measure. But we need to understand each other better and to appreciate all that is good and noble in both of us. In solving these many problems that come in this period of racial adjustment, it will be good to remember that definite action can be taken only when men reason together.
Thanking you for your interest in the colored race, I am;
Very sincerely yours,
Irving K. Merchant
Lawrenceville, Virginia,
November 13th, 1914
President Woodrow Wilson,
Washington, D.C.,
My dear President Wilson:-
I have just read an account of the happening in your private office on Thursday when you received a delegation of colored men who had come to ask for certain rights for their race. I am, indeed, very sorry, if Mr. Trotter, so the newspapers say, lost control of himself and became offensive to you and the others. I want to say in defense of ten millions of American Negroes that no such spirit, as demonstrated in your presence, meets with our approval. It is true that we are not given all we should have, but at the same time I have faith in the American White man, and I believe he will give the colored man a full measure. But we need to understand each other better and to appreciate all that is good and noble in both of us. In solving these many problems that come in this period of racial adjustment, it will be good to remember that definite action can be taken only when men reason together.
Thanking you for your interest in the colored race, I am;
Very sincerely yours,
Irving K. Merchant
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Merchant, Irving K., “Irving K. Merchant to Woodrow Wilson,” 1914 November 13, CS28, Race and Segregation Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.