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Status: Needs Review

[stamp: THE WHITE HOUSE
SEP 8 1913
RECEIVED]

1317 Cedar Avenue,
College Hill, Cincinnati, Ohio.

September 6th, 1913.

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

152a

Dear Mr. President:

When, in November last, I cast my vote for you as the candidate
for President of the United States, I did so because I believed that
although you were born in a southern state, you would, as you promised,
treat all the citizens of the United States as a Christian gentleman
should treat his fellow man. I believe you meant what you said.
Therefore I write now to enter my protest as a colored citizen of the
United States and as a member of the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People, against the outrageous segregation of
colored employees of this Government, which I am informed upon good
authority, has taken place in the Post Office Department the Bureau
of Engraving and Printing, etc. at Washington. It may be that the
orders issued by the heads of the different departments segregating
the colored employees, were given with the purpose in mind of improv-
ing the condition of those affected by it, but, however that may be,
the fact remains that if this order stands the condition of the col-
ored employees will only be made worse, for it places a mark of in-
feriority upon them, and says to the outside world that they are not
fit to mingle with the white empleyees. It will also encourage
that part of the citizenship of the South which takes the law in
its own hands to more acts of violence.

Therefore, Mr. President, I pray, and earnestly so, that you
will at once order all such segregation stopped, including the taking
down of any and all signs which may have been erected designating
certain quarters for the accommodation of colored employees.

You have spoken of a "New Freedom," but, Mr. President, the col-
ored citizens of the United States are not asking for a new freedom
but only for the same rights that are accorded all the other citizens
of this Government.

Since the colored employees of this government secured their
places through competitive examinations, just as did the white em-
ployees, there is no reason why they should be segregated simply
because of their color.

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Respectfully,
Wm Stevenson.

84554

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