Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-18
DIR. ABBEY PRAISES
BIRTH OF A NATION"
ASA WORTHY LESSON
Asserts Photoplay Shows
Negroes Actions After War
Reflect on Inscriptions
Politicians
NOT UNFAIR TO BLACKS
By DIR. CHARLOTTE ABBEY

BY DIX. CHARLOTTE ABBEY
As one who has formed n high estimate
Of the evolutionary possibilities of the
Afro-American race through personal as
Hociation with those interested in social
work, I am sorry to find that an hlstorl-
cal play such as "The Birth of n Nation"
should be the cause of melting race preju-
dice. Tho play teaches n mighty lesson
TO both white aud colored. and it seems
strange that lessons so plainly taught by
the writer of the play should need to be
pointed out
Through bloodshed the United States
arose. but at the very moment that the
Stars and Stripes waved over the States
there were those who for their own sell
fish ambition put into action forces that
led to the racial prejudice that has since
existed and which threatened to defeat
the ideals of the man who freed the slave
for the purpose of giving him opportunity
10 attain his humanitarian rights through
right living.
An interruptions white politician does
not understand the meaning of freedom
any more than eolored politician OF the
same grade. To such the term free
dom" spells license. He has not yet at
fained to the mental and spiritual stand
ard that enables a man OF higher grade
10 see that only through obedience to the
Divine law which Jesus upheld as the
precedent OF all laws. and which Lincoln
obeyed. Is the only means by which an
individual or people can be worthy of
freedom. In THE Birth of a Nation"
the author clearly shows that the negroes
actions at the time they were freed were
altogether the result of INSCRIPTIONS
politicians. backed by one who, whilst ne
posed as a reformer. was really the
slave of his own personal ambition;
hence blinded TO the true interest of all
Whom ne was protesting to help, and
therefore the very antithesis of lincoln
Most children. white or eolored can be
btibed with candy or a nickel TO do
what Is wrong, because so few have in
herited that moral perception which en-
ables them to do right FOR rights sake.
So II Is with adults who have not had
the education that would have developed
their higher faculties; they can be per-
aaaded when an appeal is made TO inher-
lied desires to do as the one who brlbes
them wishes
It Is said that "a little knowledge il a
dangerous thing" This applies most as
sufedly to an education that falls to make
fhe Law Of love to God ana thought for
otnera the basis OF all progress We
nave IN consequence OF this failure our
loH-grade criminals and our high-grade
ef.saf AAa7H Ht1AE AiaMif educated making
fools Of the lower grades TO accomplish
their own ends
= religion that fails 10 bring the Ama-
uanal ana intellectual faculties OF mans
nature into united action, through show
ing the relation of Divine Law 10 a lie
af kindness and usefulness Is, OF ali
paAers. the most criminal, for It pro-
IeHaea e have the well-heing Of the hu-
man race at heart, and yet keeps It IN
ssaafanee Of the evolutionary purpose sf
hie-that purpose which Jesus emphatic
atlf taught N the Lords Prayer and the
Sermon On the Mount Drama should be
she history Of life teaching vital truth.
1nts The Birth OF a Natlona does aud
without any 8ish % be unfair 10 the coll
aEea Faee Il there are some white peopie
80 narrow ia their outlook that they can
naf see The enormous difference between
80 zaazaHt slave on the plantation. whose
HHele hereditY and environment had
made aim the slave Of his sex instinct
aaa zHe upright living. ana lnduatrlous
EaaFsa man and woman who have
zfnsa g control their instincts and are
Bringing Hn their children 10 become
HaIk=zes HezzlHg eIllzena. such white pea-
rs aEs Keffaitins their hirfhnghl Of JUS
- Hzau did fer a mess of potlaea
Iaaieel The writer gained three
sHHeftsHf truths from witnessing the
RE HiFsh of s Aaliesa
Htat hesHse. tbs fol owing out
so aeIzh desires - tendencies
- fsazaas nnll lie
# Es#z ~ = 81 lhaE