Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-15
National
Negro
Business
League.
Resolutions Adopted.

1uSkcScc, Ala, sept. 1.-The fol-
lowing resolutions were unanimously
offered and adopted during the Eigh-
teenth Annual Session Of the Nation
al Negro Business League which was
held at Chattanooga Tennessee, Au-!
gust 18TH to 18th, 1917
The National Negro Business Lea
que in eighteenth annual convention
assembled, shares with all true Ameri-
cans deep concern in the titantic
struggle now going on among the ma
lions OF Europe, into which America
has been unwillingly drawn. We are
true Americans. There is no hyphen
i'll our patriotism No slackcrs are
tolerated In our society, no spies har-'
bored no spirit Of disloyalty or in,
trigue is entertained for q moment, nor
in the slightest way encouraged. In
every war Of the republic we have
done our "bit," and we will not fail
III this hour Of our nations greatest
crisis
We call upon our people to contri-
butte In every way to the successful
prosecution of the war by giving our
noble sons for offcnse abroad and for
defense at home; by an increase Of
crops, by larger planting and better
FARMING; and by closer conservation
gestions of the government as to our
consumption of food and the climi-
nation of waste. We share the con-
Vlction that as true patriots we should
give our last ounce OF devotion in the
service that may bring victory to the
armies OF our country and our heroic
allies.
we yearn intensely for the day
when the world shall be safe for de-
mocracy,' when men may be men the
world over, freed from caste, political
discrimination, oppression OF every
sort, and prejudice; when men every
where shall enjoy the inalienable
rights OF life, liberty and the pur-
suit of happiness" with equal oppor-
tunities for education and labor, with
freefor-all incentives for personal and
racial development, with equal JUS
zee to all and malice toward none.
most respectfully urge that con-
>terry, demands. that. as we rreach
democracy, we shall practice t at
nome. We cannot make the world
sa1e for democracy unless our coun-
Try IS safe for democracy. Unless
every man In America shall have n
mans chance, Americas plea for
Worlu democracy shall, because of
our Inconsistency, be the occasion of
our humiliation.
The seas must not only be safe for
travel but likewise every byDath in
America. We unrescrvedly condemn
crime OF every nature. whether found
IN our race or others, and we put
ourselves squarely on record against
the vicious criminal class At the
same time we lift our voices in con-
demnat1on or lynching and mob rule,
believing as we do that such practic-
es undermine good government, pro-
mote insecurity OF all. and are a seri-
GUS reflection oh our Christian civil
cation. The recent occurrences that
have made East 81. LOUIS Memphis, :
and Abbeville black spots in America
have made East St. Louis, Memphis,
throughout the world. The failure -
punish adequately the perpetrators
of these crimes has emboldcned II,
until many of our people in some parts
or the country live in constant fear
and uneasiness by day and by night
We desire to commend State and
county officials in all parts of the
country who in the exercise Of their
offices, seek to protect the lives Of
prisoners and thwart the purposes Of
the mob.
VIC CopcCldlly uCSlTS 10 CO1ltmGnG
the attitude taken on lynching by the
Hon. Sidney ]. Cats, Governor Of
FLORIDA and tho Hon. Augustus o.
Stanley, Governor Of Kentucky.
We record our hearty appreciation
and sincere gratitude to the Hon.
Theodore Roosevelt for his eloqucnt
and forceful words recently delivered
condematory Of mob rule and laWless-
ness, which words sent a thrill
throughout the nation and the world
ana were particularly heartening to-
our people.
Largely because Of insecurity, as we'll
as lack Of school facilities, poor wag-
es, unfair treatment of courts and I'M
Jar administration Of our suffrage
laws, our people have become uncon-
trollably restless. They are seeking
security, larger liberty, and more of
Chc comforts OF life. Knowing as we
40 that the Negro at heart loves the
South and would here abide content
edly In large numbers under better
ana more favorable conditions. and
gratefully recognizing the progressive
attitude taken by many Of the white
friends In the South toward our adj
vancement and their efforts for the'
Dctterment Of our schools and living
conditions In general, in Tennessee.
Ior example, we nevertheless urge that
our southland be made safe for all
men to tn extent that criminals Of
every class shall be punished by due
process OF the law, that adcauate
school facilities shall be placed with
IN the reach OF all, in the rural dis.
tr1cts as we'll as in the small towns
ana cities, with better school build.
1ngs and with better trained teachers
that better housing conditions be nro.
Vided on tho farms and plantations
for tenant, with garden spots and
otner inducements to make the dwel.
ling place home instead of a hoyel:
and that our people shall share I'M