The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1917-03-23
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(Louisville Oourier-Joufnal.)


With all his senius and culture. Roe
coe Conkline simmons 10 . Negro. His
college degrees and psrsonsl refinemeot
can not change his blood or color OF
make hmm one bit less . member . rsce
regarded - socialiy, economically and
mentally inferior % the white.
That Louisvill 10 proud Of him - . cit
izen: that the Negro people Of the coun-
try look upon him for lesdership much -
they did TO his illussrious uncle, Booker
T. Washington; that men of prominence
in the nation accord him fellowship and
. place in high councils. does not change
his statue
For these very reasons his words, spok
en- the other day before . gathering of
his own race, shou.i spread . blush OF
shame on the Uaucasion skins of some
who are conspicuous in the eyes of the
nation just now. When men of super
Tor leaning and Wanted super-race con-
nection, intrusted with the solemn duty
of serving and protecting their country's
destiny, join with foreign tyrant cut
throsts to heap contumely upon the ma
tons head and tie the hands stretched
out TO protect the lives and rights of
Americans; when snivelling white paci-
fists join with all the traitor al cker
crew to invite national disgrace and ruin,
well may this member of an 'inferor
race" boast:
I'VE have . record to defend. but no
treason, thank God, to atone or explain.
While in chairs we fought to save white
men-from Lexington to Carrizal-a and
returned to chains. No Negro has ever
insuIted the flag No Negro ever struck
down q President of these United States.
No Negro ever sold . military map or
secret 70 foreign government. No Neg
70 ever ran under fire or lost an oppor-
unity 70 serve. TO fight, TO bleed and to
die in the republics cause. Accuse us
of what you---justly and wrongly---no
man can To q single instance Of our dis
loyalty.
I'VE have but one country and one
flag, the flag that set us free. Its lam
guage is our only tongue, and no hyphen
bridges or qualities our loyalty. To-day
the nation faces danger from . foreign
foe, Treason stalks anu skulks up and
down our land. in dark councils intrigue
is being Matched. am q Republican,
but . Wilson Republican. What he
commando me TO do / shall do. Whsre
he commands me TO 20 ] shall 20. II he
calls me to the colors. shall not ask
whether my Colonel is black or white.
shall be there TO pick out no color except
the white OF the enemy's eye. 9riev-
ances have against this people, against
this government Injustice TO me there
Is, bad laws there are upon the statute
hooks. but in this hour Of peril forget
land you must forget---sll thoughts of
self or race or creed or politics or color.
That, boys. il loyalty"
That this address xas q notable piece
OF diction and orstory means little. save
as tribute to the talent and erudition
OF Its author and an sugury Of what NAV
come from others of his race when given
his opportunities. AZ . rebuke to the
traitors and Americans not worthy of the
name, 1t deserves the widest reading
while such white men - Ia Toilette
Stone, O6ormsn, vardsman, Works,
Bryan and all their ilk, instead, perhaps
OF being esrried and feathered black
should be forced 10 read these works Of
black man.