An Apology for my Race
As an apology for my race I have written and dedicated to you [Wilson] a Thanksgiving hymn, which I hope your most excellent [secretary] will arrange to have sung at the white house and while you worship on Thanksgiving day. If this does not meet your approval kindly toss it into the waste basket and console yourself with the knowledge that there are thousands and tens of thousands of Negro voters ready to deposit their ballots for you again.
Samuel Jackson Hargrave
Left: Words and tune to Hargrave's hymn.
Letters from "Thoughtful Colored People"
We take occasion to assure you that we are in sympathy with your administration and. . . . are sorry for the occurence a few days ago caused by one Monroe Trotter there, and hope that what the level-headed representative men of our race may do in the future will serve to destroy any ill effect Mr. Trotter’s wrong acts might have had.
Victor P. Holmes
I address you this letter to assure you that the more thoughtful colored people of this State and the country don’t approve of Mr. Trotters’ insult to you on yesterday. The good colored people of the country are too fairminded, decent, patriotic to set their approval for a moment upon the conduct of Mr. Trotter. . . . it matters not how just and important a question may be. . . the nation will not set its approval upon an insult offered to its President.
J. N. L. Roundtree
I have read with deep regret, the recent visit of a deputation of colored men. I trust that their presence will in no sense affect the standing of the calm members of my race.
James A. Ross
Right: Letter from William A. Reid apologizing for Trotter.