Franklin's paper the statesman., 1911-12-16
THE NEED
OF A PUBLIC
ASSEMBLY

us only as they see us on the streets
or as we perform some sort of menial
service for them. Therefore, when
We are heard TO complain we are often
accused of having the grumbling hab-
il. when in fact and in truth. with all
the burdens and injustices heaped up
on us. We are the most patient and
tolerant OF any race of people on
earth But TO grumble or complain is
a God-given right of man. and man
will continue TO grumble when there
is an increase of unfair treatment
meted out TO him so often by society.
Nothing is so destructive OF the
peace OF community, or so clogs the
wheels OF progress OF society, as an
element possessed OF the conviction
that they are not treated with exact
justice.
| have said that we should become
better acquainted with our white
neighbors so that they may better un-
derstand us when We demand the
right TO stand or fall In the sunlight OF
Justice on the foundation Of equality.
before the law. II we can become
well enough acquainted with our
white neighbors to let them discover
what good there is in us, they will
also discover what our contention ia
life is. and will not be so reluctant in
according our contention. We must
in some way dispel from the minds OF
many that phantom of social equal
ity. We must try to convince them
that our contention is equality be
fore the law. or, as convention of
ex-slaves expressed it in this manner.
Resolved. That all we ask for is a
fair chance" No sensible Negro in
sists upon or wants any law which
will bring about social equality be
tween the races, FOR he knows that
social equality is a question of fit
ness, geniality and compatibility, and
of necessity must regulate itself
Every white person is not the social
equal OF the other white persons. nor
is every Negro the social equal of all
other Negroes. but we should recog-
niZc the fact that whatever may be
the gradations of society, whatever
may be the advantages of entitled
rank. still in the essential constitu-
ency OF the human family that all
men are alike and that God is the
Father OF us an No person is bet
ter than another person because OF n
difference in color, or because OF his
wealth, but a person may boast of be
ing better than another, by reason of
the fact that he possesses more vir-
tues, more integrity, more sympathy
and respect for the rights OF all per
sons than someone else. Indeed that
person may he said to be better than
some other person. 1t is not strange
that perso not born under the in.
iluence of slavery. prescription, de-
,rt.,.
points are obscured by the haze of
traditional prejeudice should be able
to see but a little merit in our race
and guess nj the balance.
one thing that | have noticed in
this cib during the time have re-
sided here is that there is little or no
communication between the Negroes
and the white people, no recognition
unless it is once in every two years,
about election time, when, for n few
DAYS only we are made to feel how
necessary It is for us to be in the
community and how important it is
for us to interfere in the politics
better known as the white folks
business" This condition should have
n remedy We should try to become
acquainted with our neighbors, there
should be pleasant greetings eN-
changed when we meet; there should
be cultivated u broader feeling of
friendship between the races to the
end that we may have better un-
derstanding upon all things which
concern the welfare of both races
who of necessity must dwell here in
peace.
This organization should take the
initiative in trying to do something
along this line. 1t might be well to
occasionally invite some of the best
thinkers from among the white people
to visit the Alliance and discuss with
us. or for us questions which will be
elevating to us and which may bring