The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1915-06-18
NOTWITHSTANDING MANY
FORMS OF OPPRESSION
Remarkable Address Delivered By
Hon. John Earrett to Gradual
ing Class of Howard
University.

Washington, ID G. June al HAD
the pleasure a few days agD D. listen L.
a wonderful address The speaker. Hon.
John Barret. addr,s-s~l the graduating
GLASS OF Howard University Wa much
interested mn his remarks on the present
situation in Europe and his statement oi
the POSITION oi the United states during
tins great conflict. There was grand
plea made for unity in -npI.ort of the
president AT this most trying time.
AS Americans. thr Negroes of TIM
country want to stand 10y the country a.
every crisis or conflict jus; a. they have
done IN the past. They have great lo,r
for their country and are quick L. lay
aside lesser problems when confront. 4
with great situation.
Bot there are certain inilu-ncs-- whiel,
tend u crush out much of tins patriot
ism. do not l,elieve, a. I stated ln
fore, that these sct- If oppression hav
done tins yet The fear h tnat n they
continue they may do Il. and wo,. be to
a country that has killed the fire of
patriotism in the heart~ oi ten million of
IT, citizens
The cry today i- tor unity on the part
Of the people-on tlie part Of all the pec =
pie. The United Statss H. placed in .
very difficult position for many rca-onr.
Being made mp Of people having many
a--ociation- with the people Of the conn
trie- at war. II j. hut natural that dinrr
ent views le taken Of the situation
While believe that largr majority
If our citizens havin foreigng attachments
would be loyal u tins country in event
Of war. II - hut natural that this sup
port would not if n whole -oul,,l a.
that of tlIe native Amcrioan l,ut wlru
att Of many rtste- are "f -urh Dsiiou-
nature a. ~ cau-e "A number of IL native
sonz To hesitate in the I,rriormanc,. oi
their duty u the country "a - time o.
right this evil ard -rcure thereby ths
fall measure ol accord among the I,s-opl,
The Negro, when in tlle chains ol
slavery. gave hi- support tO the country
Later. after having receivs-I tie i,all.l
AMI then having Il taken away. be- -til
answered the call. To-Day. even When
tine last ve-tage of hi- clvil rights Wer,
swept away by the supreme court ana
When numerous new forms Of Opprsz-ior
aud discrimination are i,elng brought
for~ard, he j. yet willing % oher tli'
country that measure Of support rc,lmr
81. But how long. Oh how hong car
this exercise Of patience. i0rlearanc,
and suffering last in face of the -eeinins
ever growing -ee,i- 81 prejudice
We appeal b. the thinking white mef
Of tins country o. stop sefOre u b. o.
late. because ~ have an abundance o
love for our country. we make tins A.
peal, knowing that there H. point i-.
yond which foriearsnce cea-e- o. fr q
virtue.
The Negro has reached "a point Nher,
be can no longer submit - the iurihei
encroaehment uJ,on hi- rights. Tie fat
y be- should never -nimit sor u - vel
said that submission b. wholly va--a
lege term repugnant o. the dignity o
ios-e,iofn. II j. but an echo 81 slavery
The call - ior men. strong men. anl
how can 49, b. men and stop o. -ui,
mission Don't ak u- o. submit Treai
NJ a. nsen and men will not BE- Wantins
when the real call j. male.
This y the Negro'- position IIumr
iats'i. segregated dr-irancbi-ed and
lyDche'i. YET he = callel uf,on b. support
the county that permits thi-. On on,
hand D. our patriotism. on the otilei
hand - orr Preservation. Oh' Lord
save ~ from having o. clIo,.-,