Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1912-03-01
MORE YOUNG COLORED
MEN SHOULD HEED THE
-----i = CALL OF THE Law
BY WILLIAM n. LEWIS. ASS's'
ANT ATTORNEY GENERAL OF
THE UNITED STATES.

ment and growth. show a declde'
prediction toward perfect attaihmeh
along certain lines in preference u
others. The Grecians developed hios
pronouncedly in art and In letters
the Romans in statecraft. Among ma
tons In our day, the English are inc
model law-enforcers of the globe; tne
Germons are the worlds philosophers
the French are smartest In art, dress
society and frivolity; the Italians are
the pace.makers in music; and the
Americans are distinguished as the
highest development of frenzled imam
ciers.
Among races. the Caucas;ans are
tie worlds premier builders, lnVeh
tors and discoveries: the Chlnese
show most tenacity in adhering &c
customs that are centuries Old; the
,Iapanese are peerless in successful
imitation: the American Indians are
the most fearless and cunning OF ma
lures children: and mp to the pres
ent stage of their development. the
negroes of America and Africa have
shown themselves to be the humblest
most ratient and long-snfering OF al
umankind-nualities not to be de
spised, for tie Christ has said, tine
meek shall inherit the earth. Wha'
the negroes most pronounced lean
ings will be during future decades
of their evolution. is a puzzing cues
ton.
A one-sided deve'onment is not de
sirabIe in race or individual. indeed
such development may prove to DE
fraught with grave dangers. For oul
part we are ANXIOUS that every essen
tial line of prenaration and training
for a recn'o should he stressed In
keeping with it's importance to our
future well being.
In the early years of our freedom II
was deemed wise to center our forces
on getting together Christian min
istry of ample numbers to take care
of the races religious training. The
numbers having been secured, we
turned our attentions. assisted OIL
course by our white friends. toward
increasing the efficiency and adding
to the penetration of that ministry
In more recent years there was begun
the awakening of our young men to
the necessity of preparation for the
practice of medicine that our physical
ills might be attended bv those within
our ranks: and today large numbers
of our young men are turning their
attentions to this line of professional
preraration.
The time is now here for corrallIne
the largest possible number of candi
dates to prepare for the practice OF
law. The opportunities for racial help
offered in this field OF endeavor are
not being realized with sufficient
weight.
The white men chosen from time to
time to make and administer the laws
of the several commonwealth of
these United States. so far know In
timately only the derraved. ignorant,
vicious negroes--those who help to
keen the court dockets filled To the
minds of these men there is but a
small rer cent. Of worthy. law-abiding
negro ctizenrv. How are they ever
to become better acquainted with u.s.
How are thew ever to realize that a
surprisingly large rer cent. Of our
people are worthy Of citizenship? AS
we see 1t direct means for bringing
about civic recognition from them.
in many states of these United States,
lies fin the production and develop.
ment of able colored law practitioners
to serve lis at the bar of Justice
men who will by their practice in jur-
isprudence and their conduct as bar
risters, focus the attention of the law
manipulators Of the other race on ne
groes of ability and worth in the
community. To accomplish this
would be a step toward the ends we
seek.
The leading objection brought for
ward to discourage those of our youth
who would prepare as lawyers. is that
the colored lawyer cannot attain emf
nence as court practitioner or .as a
criminal lawyer. Grant that practical
ly none of them can do SO. 1t must
be admitted that they can. if they
will. become successful and able as
civil attorneys and t-law,
which generally must come before
attaining success in the courts and
even this alone Is contamination de-
voutly to be wished for by any one
entering unon the practice Of law.
Exploited, swindled and misused as
are large numbers Of this country's
colored citizens. lawyers of color to
help them steer clear Of these ills,
are a pronounced necessity.
Even In the field of politics is there
some promise of careers for some ne
gro attorneys. What better example
can we give than this achievements
Of our own William H. Lewis. day
before yesterday student at Harvard,
yesterday practicing attorney, today
assistant attorney general of the Uni
ted States. What might not negro
lawyer hone for who avails himself
of the fullest preparation within his
reach? Mr.. Lewis is like a trans
planted bloom from out of the dark.
for his ancestors knew from expert
ence the crushing Ills of slavery. Mr..
Lewis has had to face and grapple
with the retarding devices of race
nreiudica He came tO roa1i1o tbo+