The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1916-02-05
The VOICE OF OUR NATION.
Views Of . Philadelphia Organization
on Problem of Equal Rights.

The Cosmopolitan Literary and Lib.
eral league Of Philadelphia in its dec
laration Of principles as announced by
It's secretary, DR.. Caesar A. A. P. Tay-
lor, makes the following statement in
its discussion of legal rights for all
American citizens without regard to
race or color:
This nation at its birth saluted q
startled and listening world by an
nouncing the sublime and glorious
truth that "all men are created free
and equal and endowed by their Maker
with certain unalienable rights, among
which are life, liberty and the pur-
suit Of happiness" Its voice then
was as the trump Of an archangel,
summoning hoary forms of oppression
and time honored tyranny to judg,
ment.
Crowned heads heard it and shrek
ed. Toiling millions heard it and clap
ped their hands for JOY. 1t announced
the advent Of nation based upon
human brotherhood and the self evil
dent truths of liberty and equality. Its
mission was the redemption Of the
world from the bondage Of ages, and
yet, despite this announcement, It was
nation but half free. It started all
right in theory. but 1t was hypocritical
L. pract!ce. a@@--sr#-s. e,.
Moses, the greatest Of all lawgivers
and legislators, said while his face
was yet radiant with the light of
Sinai, "Whoso stealeth a man and SELL
eth him, or If he be found In his hand,
he shall surely be put to death" The
destroying angel has already gone
through this land to execute the fear
full penalties of Gods broken law. The
representatives of the nation have
bowed with reverence to the Divine
edict and laid the ak at the foot Of
the tree and thus saved succeeding
generations from the guilt Of oppres-
sion and from the wrath Of God.
Statesmen. jurists and philosophers
most renowned for learning and most
profound in every department Of SCI
ence and literature have testified
against slavery, while oratOry has
brought its costliest golden treasures
and laid them Oh the altar Of God and
Of freedom. 1t has aimed its fiercest
lightning and loudest thunder at the
strongholds of tyranny, injustice and
despOtism. From the days of Balak
to those Of Isaiah and jeremiah, up to
the times Of Paul and through every
age Of the Christian church, the sons
Of thunder have denounced the abom-
Unable thing.
The heroes who stood In the shining
ranks Of the hosts Of the friends of
freedom and progress, from Cicero to
Chatham and Burke, Sharp, WILDER
force and Thomas Clarkson and Cur
ran, assaulted the citadel Of despOtism.
The orators and statesmen Of our own
land, whether they belong to the past
or to the present age, will live and
shine in the annals Of history in pro-
portion as they have dedicated their
genius and talents to the defense Of
justice and mans God given rights.
The solution Of the whole problem in
volving both the white man and the
black man is simple justice, recogni-
don Of the fact that the rights Of the
humblest citizen are as worthy of
protection as those Of the highest. Ap-
ply this method and the problem will
be solved. And whatever may be in
store for this nation in the future.
whether prosperity or adversely,
whether there be foes within or foes
without, whether there shall be peace
or war, based upon the eternal princi.
pies Of truth, justice and humanity,
with no class having cause for com.
plant or grievance, our republic will
stand and flourish.