The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1915-10-23

When "The Birth of Nation" was
shown at private exhibition in the
St. Paul Auditorium last month about
100 Negroes were present. After the
first reel, showing the scenes before
and during the Civil War, Mr.. Fried
man, a producer of the show, intro
duced Mr.. Sherman, one of the owners
of the Northwest rights of the film,
who was heralded as one of the great
est promoters and young educators
of his day. He told of the cost of the
production, ETC., and said many untrue
things about it, especially that there
had been no trouble anywhere except
in Boston, where a little misunder-
standing occurred when two Negroes
were refused seats because the house
was full" After he had concluded he
was roundly applauded. Then arose
Mr.. Jose H. Sherwood, well-known
Negro of St. Paul and a national char
acter in Masonic circles, who calmly
called "Mr. Sherman-come back"
After repeated calls from Mr.. Sher-
wood, the promoter returned. Mr..
Sherwood told him that YOU are not
speaking the TRUTH and told of the
riots, ETC., which had occurred. He
replied in answer to the appeal by
Sherman that an enormous lot OF
money and time had been spent to
produce these wonderful pictures; said
that safe blowers and burglars spend
more money for tools than any skilled
mechanics. but they are not allowed,
for that reason, to rob other people or
to follow their profession" Some
cried, sit down-we came to see the
show" Mr.. Sherwood remained calm
and told of the harmful effect of the
films. He was told to go on" and
after Mr.. Sherman had left the stage
he concluded his remarks. He was
the man of the hour. His excellent
department (under provocation) cor
rect English and moderate tone,
brought forth many creditable re-
marks from the audience, and he made
a remarkable showing of the courage
Gus spirit of the Negroes in a protest
against wrong done their race.
His adequate remarks and oppor,
tune action placed him on record as
MAN ready to defend his race, and
showed an example of what may be
expected of the Negroes of St. Paul.
which was later proven in a fight for
the passage of any ordinance led By
Attorney w. T. Francis, which was
passed by the City Council prohibit
ing exhibitions which tend to incits
riot or create race or religious preju-
dice, or purports to represent any
ranging, lynching, burning, or plac-
ing in a position of ignominy any hui
man being, the same being melted by
or inducive to race or religious
hatred" The following appeared
among the many interviews of promiT
nent persons in the St. Paul Daily
News of Oct. 20: q
The crime of taking nation just
freed from slavery and but recently
emerged from savagery rests with the
white people of the North. If people
who 90 to see "The Birth of Ma
ton" intelligently grasp this fact, then
the picture could be shown. If the
audience does not see this point, then
the picture might create prejudice.
believe that the great improvement the
colored people have made should be
shown. 1t was very noticeable Tues
day night that the colored man who
spoke at the exhibition used much bet
ter English and talked more intellf
gently than either of the white men
who spoke on behalf of the picture.
MRS. GEORGE M. KENYON, \
Vice President Minnesota Woman
Suffrage Association.