The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1917-06-01

superior - shoss Feusived o. srcorded
ehsm here in shs epush. On scrouns OF
tbsir rsce. color md psevious condisi"u
a ssrvisuds linked With sn apparent
spirit and disposition 70 ksso shs rsc~
baek snd down n b mAds 70 sulEes innu-
msrshss wrooGs and ousrsess of vsrious
kisds unlswfully and unjussly inpossd.
Thsss and similar impositions Of rsstric-
tions and Determinations hitherto endur-
cd under . preesnded regime Of freedom,
Of equal civil rights and equal protection
have become intolersble.
Here, for more than 6fty years. loyal
70 every duty. faithful in service and Pc
tient under Oppression the rsce he wait
ed. hoped for and expected . square deal
such - beiones 70 upright American citi-
zens. bus eli in vain. While many are
iosth 10 ;esve the Sbuth where they have
dweit Ill their lives they emphstically
declare that because Of the adverse cir
cumstances and conditions now surround
ing them and which ara constantly grow
ing worss instead OF better tA.sg feel COM
peIied 20 leave In order 70 escape still
worse results which they fear will over
come them il they remain.
Notwithstanding the extended breadth
and depth OF the preamble 10 the Decla-
ration Of Independence confirmed By the
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments
Of the Federal Corstitution illuminated
by virtue of their universally admitted
object and purpose occasionally upheld
by interpretations OF the court of last re-
sort. seasoned with . part OF the Inter-
state Commerce Acs and ultimately seal-
Ell 10y the doctrine Of the Golden Rule il
remains, still. IN undeniable fact that in
many parts Of the South the Negro has
no rights which he can demand or insist
upon vindicstion under these fundament-
ais upon which rests the bulwark of the
nation characterized by Mr.. Lincoln a.
"a government of the people. tor the
people and by the people" Here in the
South the spirit, procedure and practice
of these immortal worcp are absolutely
nullifed in dealing with the Negro.
Where this converse prevails the door
OF hope for the Negro 10 virtually closed
against him and 10 lablled with these
words-- Acknowledgement, segregation,
discrimination and intimidation. But at
the North and West this same door stands
open wide upon 1t ponderous hinges
bearing unqualified inducenents and as
suranses 10 him that there equal civil
rights and equal prosecsiqo under the
lsy ere guaranaesd and securvp 70 every
Individual regardless Of his raee, creed,
color or previous condition OF servitude.
The truth Of these assertions is as irm
- the foundations of the eternal noun
tains, 80 much % that I do not believe
any soundminded man, or set of men,
will muster sufficient courage to under
take or even attempt 10 make the slight
est effort 10 dispute it. Being true and
90 realized by the Negro why shouldn't
he choose the latter conditions tending
towards his highest good, greatest JOY
and satsfsction, in abundance over and
above what he has hitherto been per-
mitted in tn, land from whence he goes.
Existing from what seems TO be unending
sdversities ask for him-is there to be
found . true, upright, conscientious
American citizen anywhere, who is ready
TO censure <be Negro for making the
change? IL sucn an one can be found q
careful investigation will Disclose no
doubt that he has not the best interest
oil the Negro race 1T heart; that il he is |
not prompted by an immediate personaJ
selfish object Of qualification he 10 . dan |
gerons and deadly force operated o.
against the fundamental rights due the
Negro race.
At this the most critical period in the
history Of the world, it presents an occa-
sion pregnant with the greatest oppor-
tunities for sdvsncements Of the race In |
it, history, Jet in the face OF these God |
sent blessings there are 10 be found among
us few so-cslIed Negro leaders. evident |
~ indifferent regarding the utmost vel ]
fare OF their own race, who advises that
it 10 beet Tor il TO remain IN the South |
without pointing out any good and plsus-
able reasons Why.
In - mnch ~ they have failed 70 do
30 it 10 fair and reasonable 10 conclude
that they have none; that they are mere
parrots or tools In the service of the ill., |
designed; that they are not true leaders,
but that they are genuine traitors instead |
endesvoring 10 influence this down trod-
den race 10 continue its existence under |
influences Of veritsbIe sIsvery-infiuence~
which are increasing here in the south.
from year 10 year, with r<pidity, power
and effect which means more and more
hostile and adverse restrictions against
this Oppressed people; that - long g.
they remain here IL further means ''hith- |
erso shalt thou come and no furthsr."
The -igDs Of the TINES Indicate, heyond |
the persdventure of doubt thss God has
wiiIed other~iss Inherently 10 10 inn
beided in human nstore The world over
20 desire and strive Lsx- -ir-~iorn on the
one hand. " sbhofssp> rr-s-s oppression
on the other, ard .lsen oppre-ion reach |
- Il.