Miller, Alexander L. (Alexander Lawton), 1848-1934

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William H. Fleming

President Roosevelt likes William H. Fleming’s response to Judge Alexander L. Miller’s attack on Fleming’s recent speech on race. Roosevelt was surprised that Fleming received criticism from Miller, noting that he would have expected it only from men like Governor James Kimble Vardaman of Mississippi. Roosevelt has received letters from Judges Horace H. Lurton and Thomas Goode Jones, who both strongly support Fleming’s position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Letter from William H. Fleming to Theodore Roosevelt

Politician and orator William H. Fleming believes President Roosevelt wishes “to do the best thing possible for the whole country, including our Southern white people, and not excluding the negroes.” Many Georgia locals agree with outspoken men like T. W. Hardwick though the South owes no allegiance to the 14th and 15th Amendment. South Carolina politician Coleman Livingston Blease has argued against education for African Americans and called for the university in Orangeburg to be torn down. Fleming asks Roosevelt if the government can make a statement of clarity regarding the amendments to help “check the riotous tendency down here.” Fleming believes that any man not willing to commit to the Constitution and its amendments should be stripped of their seat and discusses counter efforts against the passage of disenfranchisement laws.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-24

Creator(s)

Fleming, William H. (William Henry), 1856-1944