The Washington bee., 1910-12-24
Mistaken Prescriptions" "

Councilman Cummings said it was
always regretable and unpleasant
to him chat matter calculated to
arouse feeling should come up IN the
Council for discussion and decision.
Continuing, he said:
"The passage of this ordinance is
based upon mistaken presumptions.
It is presumed and charged that Ne
groes are invading white neighbor-
hoods; that is, they are without law
or reason and regardless OF the rights
of the owners of property IN those 10
calities taking possession OF property
wrongfully. Such is so Tar from the
true situation that | unhesltatlngly say
that there is not house IN Baltimore
in what was or is white neigh0or-
hood that ever was, is or will be,
bought or rented, except such has or
will be bought or rented not only
without the approval and consent, but
At the earnest solicitation of the white
owner or agent of that house. Who,
therefore, is to blame, the owner or
agent or the purchaser and tenant!
Again, it is charged and presumed
that Negroes change their residences,
n, wish to do so, to become offensive
in white neighbOrhOods! This IS
equally untrue. ILL,
"No decent, respectable, law-abldln.g
coIored person has so changed ms
home except to surround himself ana
family with better home conditions;
TO breathe more and purer air; to have
more and better sanitary conditions,
IN make his wife and children look
better learn more. feel better, live
better in sight of God and man and
become TO their city and State more
Useful citizens-COuld a people nave
a more laudable ambition? Are not
tbe thousands of dollars spent for our
education. the many sermons and lee
trres preached and delivered, the man
iv pentlemanly conduct and example
set hv fhe good white men and wom-
-, of this community, are all OF these
not n he profted by? Are we not
~ nol follow III the good? Must we be
forced by legislation OF this kinu 30
turn our faces to the dark ana clouuy
cast. or shall we by encouragement
turn with a smile and with eternai,
hone within our bosom press forwaI9
ga the sunlight Of glorious future;
"FOT Us "A DedQ LliiS'
"yve are gauged by the standard OF
our DubIic sentiment. We rise OF
Ell Ell Gr sink or swim, in the estimate
in which our public. sentiment Is
;mdgad II will be the best thing Bai-
{;n0re can have said of It when TINS
ordinance shall be passed that II was
contrary to public sentiment OF lLe
c;f;zens To that sound, wise, conSeI
,,at;ya oublic sentiment so proVerOlaIi
oF o,r beloved city which has assures
~ ali times to all men square deai
az : this same wise, SOUND; con, con,
...,,ot;,ya Dublic sentiment when VIII
49, 81, encourage the decent, INDUSTRIOUS
~. oL;diro citizens of all races TO pet
tar +ba conditions of their home me
.oi - bard and economic theH
.;oas ~ to educate and Christiani,ze
60. faT1;Iies to follow steadily III tHe
tnoto-ints NJ Of those who have mace
i1o'R Ri-,oio-Saxon civilization the won
der of the world. ,,+;,,
of Is this same wise, SohseIVa'iSe :
,,,bI;c sentiment which Will ehc0uLae
i,e 20 oct better churches OeI.ei
usLooIbn3,,as and better homes, anu
S>;W a,.sr stand as a bulwark agalust
,MalnL;.t.+;or WI; Of this kind which seeks 70
refard our commendable and pTsGg.TS s9L ,,s
s;ye i've, growth, which marks out .7T,,io LOT faS aS
:. da9d line saving to US, nus Id
shalt thou 60, and no further; =. a
%I,et this ordinance pass; ana lis 80, az,
vocates. in the midst OF the CT cTiuSiSm Sovs
TLich viii follow, will at least nav nav
fbe tl assurance that, according toeanaf to tne,P
ADMISSION. it was passed in q? ?ehalre 5au,
81 the public sentiment OF this COM
nunity."