The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-02-18
SAGE IN PROTEST
AGAINST THE Film
rector Of St. johns Think. That
usIrth Of Nation" Should Not
Be Presented In
Ksokuls.
IT'S EFFECT ON WHITES
Does Not Believe r Wise to Attempt
to Arouse Hatred Against
Any Ono
Race.
The Rev. John c. Sage, rector Of ST.
Iohn's church, has sent the following
ettar to the city council:

Johns church, has sent the following
letter to the city council:
February II, 1916.
| 70 the Honorable City Council,
Gentlemen: Will you permit me to
enter my protest along with other
citizens against the pubic presenta.
ton of THE Birth OF q Nation in our
city? I am moved to make this pro-
test, not for any sentimental reason,
NOR because / am an advocate of JUS
tice to the black man. Indeed, while
/ have had unusual opportunities to
learn the mind OF the negro race, and
while | sympathize with their point
OF view in asking you to prohibit the
showing of this moving picture, look
upon the question from the stand.
point of the white man.
1t is because of what l think the ef-
feet may be upon our white citizens
that | am led to oppose It's presenta-
ton. Any exhibition which is calcu-
lated from its subject or treatment to
arouse class or race hatred, is dele
ferrous to the welfare of commun-
~. That which is designed to in.
flame the passions of man against
man is infamous. Doubtless there are
bad black men. am no puritan nor
lconoclast and / can see no objection
to any production which portrays evil
In an individual to condemn it,. But
when an author deliberately sets out
to arouse hatred against a race, the
question is of deeper import. The me-
gro race is here in America to re.
main: whether we like it or not,
whether we are responsible for the
condition or not, we must face that
fact What then is the wise course
to pursue? Is 1t not for blacks and
whites to learn to live in peace and
harmony? Is 1t not the part of the
more fortunate race to lid and abet
ill that will better the less FORUM
ate? Is 1t not the duty Of the white
man to put down race antipathy from
whatever side 1t springs? Gentlemen.
We face facts, not theories. Doubt
less some people would prefer to live
In community where the white race
has no contact with the negro II SO,
such a one has no place In Keokuk
where some ten or twelve per cent Of
the population is colored. What then?
Is 1t not better for the white race to
restrain the passions of the white
man--and put down every effort made
to arouse class hatred?
In this community we need an atti-
tude Of greater helpfufness towards
people who are for the most part en-
deavoring to uplift their own char
'efers and the position Of their race,
Indifferent TO Problems.
Is it wise when so j, many of our
white citizens are SO Indifferent to
the great problems that already con-
irpnt the negroes to arouse what may
now be indifference into hatred or
passion because they have seen de-
picted on the screen some of the viii
anles perpetrated by bad negroes fifty
years ago? If along with such depic-
lion there had been tqid the story Of
tne loyalty, the love, The devotion of
the negro for his white masters and
mlstresses; devotion testified to
gladly by every honest southern man
or woman, there would be less reason,
perhaps none, for protest.
doubtless there are some white peo-
PIE who have not thought deeply on
me vicious influence of this produc-
uon and the consequences that will
HOW from it.; doubtless there are in
uiferent or renegade negroes who
'alnk to secure the good will of the
white citizen by playing false to the
sielf.respect they should have for
themselves and the good name Of their
face; but I submit, gentlemen, it is
neither Of these classes that should |
move you in your decision
4 appeal as a white man to white |
men. as white citizen to my white
councilmen, not In behalf of the ne
sfoes In this matter, but in behalf OF
my fellow white citizens.
JOHN G.. SAGE,