Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-22
ATTEMPTING THE IMPOSSIBLE.

Some OF our northern exchanges have
expressed surprise that the Federation Of
woman's clubs at its recent session in
Los Angeles adopted by an overwhelm-
ing majority a resolution that can have
no other result than the drawing of a
clear and indelible color line in that or
ganization.
There are some leading northern jour
nails. however, that take the sensible view
OF this matter.
One OF these is the Chicago Tribune,
the leading newspaper OF a very large
section. and it says of the recent contest
and its result:
las was anticipated. the Federation Of
Women's Clubs at Los Angeles has set
tied the much vexed color question In a
yes and no way. the noes having II by an
overwhelming majority. The discussion
did not materialize. however, In the man
ner that was anticipated. Instead of a
struggle between Massachusetts and Geor-
gia, the Warties directly concerned, the
struggle was between Illinois and Georgia.
Sitting IL down. II was between Chicago
and Georgia Reduced TO its last analysis
Il was Jane Adams Of Hull House and
DR.. Frances Dickinson, Of Chicago
against the field. They made good fight
but when Il came to a show of hands the
rout was complete. Even Massachusetts
failed to stand up for its idea The
fight was made on the clause of the by
laws which says:
The president shall refer all applica-
lions for membership to a committee APP
pointed by the board OF directors for its
action upon the same. The action or the
committee on membership shall be In
writing and a unanimous vote OF the com
mittee shall be required to elect. In case
the committee fail to agree the applica-
ton shall be referred to the whole board,
the written vote of two-thirds of which
shall be necessary TO elect to member
ships
THE forlorn hope sought to amend by
making a three-ffths vote of the commit
tee necessary to elect. They fought des-
perately. but in vain. So as the matter
stands colOred clubs may apply FOR ad-
mission and they can get ia as far as the
committee on membership, but only TO
find an impossible barrier. Even II they
could surmount It they would run up
against another In the shape Of the writ
ten vote OF two-thirds Of the directors.
The federation will make no distinction as
TO race or color. 1t sustains that idea
Georgia comedies IL gracefully because IL
involves no Interior consequences. The
whole federation recognizes Its colored
sisters across an impossible guif, Tor as
long as section three stands as II Is no
membership committee viii let the coloreo
clubs cross the gulf.
ssrTbe colored clubs may think the white
clubs 'palter with us IN double sense
and keep the word OF promise TO our ear
and break Il to our hope but, after all,
the action OF the federation was wise, pre-
suming that its intention is TO keep itself
intact and thus preserve It's usefulness
from being impaired. From any other
point OF view IL is not likely any self
respecting colored organization desires
admission, and those which are not self
respecting certainly should not be admit
ted. with this question settled, there is
no longer any disturbing problem In the
federation. Its machinery should now run
smoothly In the meantime, IL will be use
less TO deny that its members have diplo-
matte ability. An organization that can
vote to admit clubs to its membership
and AT the same time make membership
ImnossibIe has talents which would shine
in a political convention. They are not,
in anv event, TO be criticised for their ac-
tfon. They have followed the example OF
the sex which has had far greater expe-
rfence I'm deliberative and other organi-
zations."
After all, II was not question Of adj
hitting or rejecting the representatives
Of negro women's clubs. The issue really
was the continuance or the destruction
If an organization that has accomplished
great good already and will do much
more IL Il shall be kept intact. The adj
vocates of social equality are at
tempting the impossible in this instance,
as in every other instance In which they
have endeavored to obliterate distinctions
which the great majority Of the Caucus
sian race believe are based upon essen
tials Of race and characteristics. not upon
accidents of color.
They are making an absolutely hopeless
fight.
The closer home this question is brought
to white men and white women every
where the more evident does IT become
that the superior race is pretty much a
unit in a determination to preserve its
domination, both social and political,
whatever theorists may say. OF statutes
decree.