Page:The fastest bicycle rider in the world - 1928 - Taylor.djvu/54

 this appeal to the N. C. A. Board of Appeals, and abide by its decision. Treason is the charge against him, and life suspension is the threatened verdict.

"The riders have drawn the color line, which is unconstitutional, un-American and unsportsmanlike. It is wrong in the abstract, un-righteous in the concrete, and undefensible, particularly at a time when dealing with something other than a theory, and all the more so since the color line will not be accepted by the American public as a valid cause for the ruling off of a champion.

"Major Taylor is a stern reality. He is here in flesh and blood, and must be dealt with as a human being, and he is entitled to every human right. His case cannot be settled on the color question, but on its actual merits, and this we believe the riders so agree. That being the case, the question arises, what punishment does he deserve? In answering this query, the judges must be unprejudiced, to gain for themselves the hearty esteem of the public. It is required that they make due allowances for the unique and trying position Major Taylor has always held, and take into consideration the admitted shortcomings of his race. If they (the judges) would win golden praise, they should temper justice with mercy, and then turn in and prove, if they can, his inferiority as a racing man, by defeating him fairly and squarely in the championship competition.

"Major Taylor is no angel, his faults are no fewer than those of any racing man, but he has always been the subject of a natural prejudice, and at all times due perhaps to his good work. He has always thought himself an unwelcome competitor. Had he felt at home among the Governors themselves, the professionals, he never would have deserted them, a fact not to be overlooked.

"Then also when Taylor displayed weakness in deserting the riders because of malice on his part, had it been proven? This, too, must be considered, furthermore he should have been dealt with in a spirit of consideration for his inborn shortcomings. We might go on still deeper into this matter, but feel there is little necessity for it. The racing men have triumphed and as victors they can afford to be merciful. Not one of them wants it said next fall that he won the championship because Major Taylor was barred or prohibitally fined. Nor will the riders' committee give anyone the opportunity to cause aspersion of the champion of 1900.

"The committee will, we believe, even be more lenient to Major Taylor than its members would, were he a white man, if for no other reason than to disprove the public suspicions of unfair play, and to prove their manhood and their confidence in their ability as racing men, and their right to govern themselves to the degree vouchsafed them."