The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1913-11-29
URGE RIGHTS OF NEGROES.
Speakers at Celebration of Emancipa.
ton Tell Race to Unite
in Firm Stand

Pleas for Negroes to stand up for
their rights and to strive to overcome
the prejudice against them among the
whites We're made by speakers at the
celebration of the fiftieth anniversary
of the emancipation proclamation last
| night in Arcanum hall. More than 400
Negroes were present.
Pending legislation in Congress pro-
vldlng for the segregation of the Ne
groes in Washington was condemned
| vigorously and at the close of the
meeting resolutions were passed unan-
imously opposing the measure.
julius A. Schmahl, secretary of state,
was one of the speakers, taking the
place of Attorney General Lyndon A.
Smith, whom illness prevented from
attending.
The above article is clipping from
the Pioneer Press the next day follow
ing what Judge Finehout pronounced
most enjoyable and instructive oc-
casion, the celebration of the Emanci-
patton Proclamation at the Royal Ar
canum Halls last Tuesday evening. To
| have been able to sum up the entire
program in the few lines given to it by
the Press shows to what extent the
white press is interested in giving
| truthful portrayal of credit to the pub
| lie truthful account of the happen
ings among the Afro-Americans of this
| city. Contrast this if you please, to the
| space given up to the lynching of the
Jones brothers who shot up the town
! OF Harrison, Miss, a few days ago, and
you will then see just where the white
press is, on the subject of a square
deal to this class of citizens, who
gathered on that occasion at this hall
without the slightest friction. Had
anything occurred there that evening
of disgraceful character, plenty Of
space would have been given to the
reporter to have made it a matter for
the Associated Press dispatches to
have spread it over the entire world.
Jack Johnson was held up to the
entire world as a representative of
all that is best and good among the
zAfro-Americans by the Associated
Press in its dispatches and no limit
Was made in the space given to I'm
One-tenth the amount of space given
| to the crimes and ridiculous happen
| ings amongst the Afro-Americans,
daily, given to the creditable and
truthful things that could be printed,
would revolutionize the entire attl-
tude of the public toward this unfor-
tunate people.
We are trying to emphasize the
great need of the Afro-American sup.
/ porting their papers with all their
numerical strength, that they may be
strong enough, financially to go out
and fight our battles, without feeling
the weight of the cost of the compost
ton in its endeavor to do what is
necessary. 1t has been said that "the
pen is mightier than the sword and
likewise the press today is the most
potent influence that has to do with
molding the minds of the masses of
the people OF this country in any di.
raction. Many Afro-Americans are
! busy feeding the white press, which
is. in sense, devouring him, and do
not, for some reason, see the need Of
owning press able, in a measure,
to cope with this awful enemy, which
Is ready to smite him three times a
day, II the opportunity shows itself.
It was Secretary of State of Min
nesota, julius Schmahl who, on this
occasion Of the Emancipation cele-
] bration, emphasized the need of the
| Afro-American fighting for his
rights" but the public is left in the
dark on this subject by the Pioneer
Press. Let us wake up on this sub
1ect and give our press the support
that will enable 1t to give us more
powerful assistance.
Thos. r. Morgan.