Franklin's paper the statesman., 1912-05-25
Race Wants Political and Civil
Rights Protected.
STRONG PLEA FOR JUSTICE.
Brooklyn Women Hold Enthusiastic
al Association For the Advancement
Of colored People-Spingarn. Nor
ton and Stewart Plead Cause.
By r1r.. LYDIA C. SMITH.

By r1rs. LYDIA C SMITH.
Brooklyn. - Interest In the work OF
the National Associa ton For the Ad
vancement of Colored People con
tinues to grow In public favor among
both races. Besides the lectures by
DR.. W. e. B. Du Bois In various sec.
lions of the country from time to
time, mass meetings are regularly held
in the large cities of the country. In
which the organization maintains
branch headquarters.
Acting upon the initiative of the
Equal Suffrage league Of this city. a
committee Of women. with DR.. v. Nor
ton-Jones as president. recently held
an enthusiastic meeting in the Bridge
Street A. NJ. E. church, famed as a
former underground railroad station.
which was largely attended The Rev.
DR.. c. P. Cole. pastor OF the church.
acted as temporary chairman. After
the singing OF Julia Ward uowe's
Battle Hymn of the Republic" DR..
Cole introduced Mr.. George e. Wibe-
can as master of ceremonies.
The principal speakers were James
F. Morton. lawyer and author: Profess
sor J. N. Spingarn. president Of the
New York branch Of the association.
and Mr. Gilchrist Stewart OF the vlgi-
lance committee. Mr. Emory Jones
was the soloist of the evening. and
Miss Eva Jackson was at the piano.
Upon taking the chair Mr.. Wibecan
said: These men who are to speak
tonight are among the best citizens of
this country. They are giving their
time and money to aid in this move
ment to bring about a better under
standing between the races In order
that justice may be accorded to all
alike. Personally they gain nothing
but their work for human rights.
which benefits the nation"
Lawyer Morton said that the ma
tionaI association is not theoretical. but
eminently practical In its aim to create
right and just conditions. Prejudice is
not only in the south. but right here In
our northern cities. Ours is an organi-
zation OF enlightenment to save both
races. One ounce of justice Is worth
ton of charity Segregation on account
of race or color should have no place In
| the work for human advancement. but
every man or race should be given
| chance to earn an honest livelihood
and enjoy the blessings of our free In
| stitutions
Professor j. N. Spingarn. who had
| Just returned in time for the meeting
from an extended trip south. said: 81
feel now that the Americans need the
| organization more than any specific
race | wish | could tell you OF the
knowledge that have gained by inves-
tigation. | haveAseen the colored peo-
pie. from the medical college president
down through nearly every form OF
business and the laborer. and have
noted the marvellous progress made by
them in forty eight years against or
ganIzed prejudice. | have noted the
| accumulation of money and property.
but the accumulation of wealth alone
will save no race. for all can be taken
away in u minute II it has no political
rights"
Mr.. Gichrist Stewart. who with Pro
lessor Spingarn and other members OF
| the vigilance committee secured the
| first conviction in New York city OF
theatrical manager for violation Of the
civil rights law for refusing orchestra
seats to an Afro American. also made
strong plea for fairness and urged
our people to stand by the organization
and thereby show to the wealthy ana
influential white people who are work
ing for the race through the national
association as did the abolitionists for
the freedom OF the slaves.
Congressman William NJ. Calder sent
a letter of regret that he could not be
present. but heartily approved OF the
work which the organization Is doing
for the advancement OF American citi-
zenship. Rev George Frazier Miller.
DR.. William l.. Hunter and the Rev. J..
Ernest Robinson also took part IN the
| program. The officers In charge Of the
meeting were DIR. v. Morton-Jones.
president: Mrs. A. W. Seay. vice presi-
dent; Mrs. Lydia q. Smith. secretary;
Mrs. NJ. G. Lawton. assistant secre-
tary. and Mrs. Peter Harrison. treas
urer. The committee has raised 500
for the association within the past
three months. This sum was presented
at a meeting held at the Bethany Bap-
DIST church on Tuesday evening, May II.