Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-10-27
AN ADDRESS TO THE
COUNTRY
The following report was adopted by
the National Race Congress Octo-
Der 4, 1917 at Washington, d. G.
TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEM
BEERS OF THE NATIONAL
RACE CONGRESS-.

RACE CONGRESS-.
At this, the second annual session
CT our Congress, we, your committee
beg leave to submit the following re
rort on the present state Of the coun
try:
l. Togethe- with the VIII lie nation
cur group is sharing its quota OF the
burden Of tn, greatest war known to
the world and in proportion to the
contribution we make to secure to tho
world the much sought peace we shall
share tn benefits Of rhe "ilew De
mocracy" recently declared to be the
ultimate objective Of the war.
2. Out OF the world war have
grown economic conditions and prob
lens that affect us directly and in
directly. AT present, we ar. confront
ed with unusual economic necessity.
We are bel ng forced by necessity and
circumstance to transplant in unus-
ually large numbers, our accustomed
place OF abode in the southland to
new and untried localities in the
northland. We are migrating III mum
bors heretofore unknown.
3. Our migration has given rise to
labor problems, political problems aid
social problems, calculated to affect
every phase of our national life. III
the North,wo are face to face with
opposition In tho labor world, and no
little criticism is being expressed in
nSsppa> tars asfc~fg TO disturb 81 the
Negro In mis- new .luld or labor. We
are the victims Of one Of three agen
cies. Either the labor unions Of the
North arc opposed to Negro labor In
the various industries Of the North:
or there Is at work Il secret agency
from the South. seeking to so disturb
labor conditions by labor riots as to
brighten the Negro back to southern
soil and southern employment; or the
Negro Is encountcring extreme diff
Guilty in readily adjusting himself to
new employment and the attendant
high wage.
We note the general necessity for
constant course of instruction to
our people who have been affected by
this new change of habitation and
occupation. We recommend that the
press, the pulpit and the platform be
dedicated, at least in part, to a con
t'nued course of instruction to the
thousands who have come North to
live unde? entirely new conditions
and new laws: that obedience Of tho
law be taught at every opportunity,
efficiency and reliability be held be
fore them as essentials; that thrift
and economy be urged generally.
S. We call attention to the peculiar
situation arising out of the draft Of
our men for the National Army
There is danger Of umwise comment
upon the method Of procedure adopt
cd by the administration relative TO
the encampment, training and ulti-
mate employment OF Negro soldiers.
We urge the exercise Of caution in
our remarks, the cultivation Of 10y
atty to the country forever, and es-
pecially OF this time when it is evil
dent that deceptive agencies are at
work seeking to arouse us to disloyal
expression and general disruption.
6. Nor must the abnormal condition
Of the markets Of the world be over
looked. Money Is plentiful, but prices
are abnormal, and there is danger Of
period Of extravaganza, due to the
unusual flow bS money and acorre--
spending danger OF a disturbance Of
credit due to a lack Of appreciation
OF the extremely high cost Of living
7. Our educational institutions gen
orally and the pubic schools especial
ly In the South, are suffering because
Of the unprecedented demands Of tho
world war. We exhort the nation to
a vigilant practice Of economy and
good Judgment in order that our edu-
catio, al syst ems may not b. rendered
less efficient. Especially do we urge
strict watch care over those sec
ton Of the South where appropria-
tions for public school education are
made without due and equal consider
alton Of the Negro children.
8. The extraordinary burden OF our
National tax Is subject for serious
consideration. To meet the increasing
demands of our government for money
with which to prosecute to successful
conclusion the world war, and at the
same time be able to appropriate our
usual amounts to education, the
spread Of christianity and the main
tenancc OF our homes in keeping with
the American standard, will tax us for
all we have of economy, fortitude and
race loyalty.
0. We regret to keep before you
the fact that our republic is still ours
ed with the presence Of q spirit Of
lynch law and rioting of a virulent
type. We recommend renewed eff
fort toward a successful abolition OF
this curse and we urge that the aub