The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1917-08-12

we have not met to voice whole
sale indictment against either the
white or the negro peoples of the
south. Criminality on the one hand and
the spirit of mob law on the other
are by no means prevalent through
the whole south. We recognize with
profound gratitude the remarkable
progress made by the negro race III
material prosperity in education, and
in moral integrity and the spirit OF
helpfulness north and south that has
encouraged and accelerated these
gains. Already negroes own property
in the south valued at $500, 900 GOA
Their young people fill thousands of
public schools sustained for the most
part by the self-imposed taxes of the
southern white people. Their own
higher educational institutions, indus
trial schools and colleges are doing a
work and rendering a service that
cannot be valued too highly A full
recognition of this is essential to the
complete understanding and 60 opera
ton of all forces north and south
white and black that are in the last
analysis necessary to the right solu-
ton of nationw wide problem with its
nation wide responsibility.
we are continued that the solution of
the problem before us is essential to the
task of making democracy safe in Amer
I'd Ildt America may help make the
world safe for democracy.
l. The so-called negro problem is a de-
tail of the age-long and universal huma n
problem of how the different peoples OF
the earth, and even the same people
though separated by differences in reig-
ION languages, customs. civic attitudes
social and economic status, occupation,
profession, and a multitude of other dir
ferences can dwell together in peace har-
mony and mutual hepfulness, and not in
discord and mutual destructiveness In
out very few places on our planet has
this lesson been learned; hence the cease
less wars, conflicts and frictions. The
friction between the races in the south
is but a part of this whole.
>. Probably the most fundamental and
important element in the complex negro
problem is the economic one. Heretofore
the strong, either in body or mind, have
used their strength to exploit the weak
for their own advantage and aggrandize-
ment. The negro being weak has nat
urally been exploited. When, in the new
era that is dawning. the strong shall
use their powers not to exploit the weak
but to serve them, then the negro along
with other weak and backward races
shall receive not only a square deal but
help and encoura cement to develop to
the fullest their native capacities for the
enlargement and enrichment of all hui
man life.
8. This conference deprecates any lack
of certain and speedy justice by due pro-
cess of law in the case of any and all
crime.
4. All officers of justice who resist any
attempts at public disorder on the part
of mob should be publicly commended
in the highest degree.
5. Public sentiment should be SO culti-
waited as to make it impossible for any
officer to retain public office who does
not to the utmost of his ability carry
out his fun oath to enforce the law he
is sworn to uphold.
6. We hold as fundamental that for the
negro. as we'll as for all other human
beings, home ownership is the basis of
security, stability of citizenship full
statured civic responsibility, law and or
der and social progress.
Z. We recommend the establishment of
law and order leagues everywhere; to cor
rect unfortunate conditions and improve
surroundings that lead to insanitation
poverty, disorder and crime. and antici-
pate and prevent mob violence whenever
threatened
s. We urge the Importance of regular
and fearless charges to grand jures by
trial judges on the evfl of mob vio-
lence
.. We look forward to the time when
physical and mental examina tions by
: NNOt>
persons on trial in our criminal courts,
10, We indorse the formation of a south
ern speakers bureau of law and order,
the members of which may be called on
to speak before all bodies concerned with
social problems, looking forward to the
estab lishment of similar bureaus in every
southern state.
IL. We realize the immediate need of a
fund for publication and extension work
and to this end we urge that contribu-
lions be sent to DR.. w. w. Weather
ford, Nashville. Tenn.
Is. We suggest the editing of textbooks
on elemental morality on the lives and
works of noted negroes, and on the prob
lens and progress of the negro race, to
be placed in the regular curriculum Of all
negro public schools.
ii. Since the chief remedial force for
the prevention of mob violence is the de-
velopment of right public sentiment, and
since women have a large share in the
creation of public sentiment, we believe
there should be concerted action by wom-
en- for the education of white women on
the evils of mob violence, through the
agencies of the home, the womens clubs
the church organizations, the schools and
colleges. We believe that the women
need to impress upon the men of the
country that mob violence is not an eff
fective protection of womanhood We
believe. further, that no race is stronger
than its womankind, and. therefore, we
eXalt the integrity of the home as the
largest asset of any race. white or col
ored. We believe that true chivalry on
the part of all men demands respect for
womanhood, either white or colored.
u. A committee shall be appointed to
submit for the consideration of state
teachers associations, state conventions
of political parties state press associa-
tons, and state church conventions, short
resolutions urging obedience to law and
condemning mob violence.
Is. That this committee prepare and
submit to state boards of education for
use in public schools in connection with
the study Of civil government mono
graph setting forth obedience to lawfully
constituted authority as paramount duty
of citizenship.
II. We pledge to each other and to the
people of both white and black races in
the south our utmost endeavors to allav
hurtful race prejudice, to promote mutual
understanding. sympathy and good will,
to procure economic Justice and in par
ticular to condemn and oppose all forms
of mob violence.
AMONG THE SPEAK ERS
Some or those who made addresses be-
fore the confei ence included Judge Gill
bert L. Stephenson; c. Fletcher Quillian
Of Texas Mrs. A. M. Trawick. Y. w. c,
AZ secretary, Nashville. Tenn; DR.. N
G. Branson, president University of North
Carolina; DR.. w. d. Weatherford, student
secretary for the south, Y. M. C. A.;
DR.. F. r. Currall, president University
of South Carolina; A. J. Speer, secretary
Acipco Y. M. c. A., Birmingham: j. T..
I<esler, John Wesley Gilbert colored; Pro-
lessor Hayne, Colored M. e. college, Au-
gusta, Ga; DR.. G. c. Menzler DR.. Mar.
49, I'm - = - I, y f.