The Colorado statesman., 1912-03-02
MORE YOUNG COLORED
men SHOULD HEED The
CALL OF The LAW
BY WILLIAM II. LEWIS, ASSIST
ANT ATTORNEY GENERAL OF
THE UNITED STATES.

Races and nations, like individuals,
during the centuries of their develop
ment and growth, show decided
predilection toward perfect attainment
along certain lines in preference to
others. The Grecians developed most
pronouncedly in art and in letters;
the Romans in stateoraft. Among ma
tions in our day, the English are the
model law-enforcers of the globe; the
Germans 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 frenzied finan-
ciers.
Among races, the Caucasians are
the worlds premier builders, inven-
tors and discoverers; the Chinese
show most tenacity in adhering to
customs that are centuries old the
Japanese are peerless in successful
imitation; the American Indians are
the most fearless and cunning of ma
ture's children; and up to the pres
ent stage of their development, the
negroes of America and Africa have
shown themselves to be the humblest,
most patient and longsuffering of all
umankind-qualities not to be de-
spised, for the Christ has said, "the
meek shall inherit the earth" What
the negroes most pronounced lean
ings will be during future decades
OF their evolution, is a puzzling ques-
tion.
A one-sided development is not de-
sirable in race or individual. Indeed,
such development may prove to be
fraught with grave dangers. For our
part we are anxious that every essen
tial line of preparation and training
for people should be stressed In
keeping with its Importance to our
future well being.
In the early years of our freedom 1t
was deemed wise to center our forces
on getting together a Christian min
istry of ample numbers to take care
of the races religious training. The
numbers having been secured, we
turned our attentions, assisted OF
course by our white friends, toward
increasing the efficiency and adding
to the preparation 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 by those within
our ranks; and today large numbers
Of our young men are turning their
attentions to this line of professional
preparation.
The time is now here for corralling
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 depraved, ignorant,
vicious negroes-those who help to
keep the court dockets filled. To the
minds of these men there is but a
small per cent of worthy, law-abiding
negro citlzenry. How are they ever
to become better acquainted with us?
How are they ever to realize that
surprisingly large per 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 in the production and develop
ment of able colored law practitioners
to serve us at the bar of Justice
men who will by their practice in fur
foy hot
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 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 emil |
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, II they |
will. become successful and able as i
civil attorneys and. counselors-at-law, |
which generally must come before |
attaining success in the courts: and |
even this alone is consummation de-
voutly to be wished for by any one
entering upon 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 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 a student at Harvard,
yesterday practicing attorney, today
assistant attorney general of the Uni
ted States. What might not a negro