Phoenix tribune., 1918-08-17
ANOTHER FA|R-M|NDED
WHITE MAN PAYS
TRIBUTE To NEGRO

The following article was written
by member of the Caucasian race to
the editor of the Union, a paper owned
and edited by a man of that same
race. We think this a remarkable ar
ticle, coming as it does from the pen
of white man, and are publishing
it in full as it appeared in that Cali
fornia paper.
Editor Union: On the front of one
of the theaters on the Plaza, fronting
the Grant Hotel, sign is conspicu-
ously displayed which reads: ''rne
patronage is desired of white persons
only"
A proclamation of this character
would be insulting to the race against
which it is directed and offensive to
right-minded and self-respecting per
sons of all races and colors whenso-
ever and wheresoever it might
be made. 1t is especially objection
able and unpatriotic at this time when
this theater is exhibiting a series of
official war pictures which the colored
people, against whom this local proc
lamation is directed, in common with
all other patriotic people, desire to
see. Their own kindred are GepictCai
among the soldiers at the battle
front These war pictures have been
taken at this battle front and are
now being exhibited throughout this
country, under and by the special
authority and direction of the Gov
eminent of the United States. This
is done that the people of this land
all Of the people, and not one race
or class only, may see them, and that
all may know, what our American
people, of all races and colors are
doing in our war against the Hun
for the freedom of the world for God
and humanity. 1t is a war in which
the black man is doing his full share
and acquitting himself nobly.
So important indeed is it deemed
that these war pictures should be
seen by all of our people that the
president of the United States has
recently issued a public and special
request that all of our people shall
attend these exhibitions and through
them learn what our government
and our heroic army and navy are
doing to keep America and the
world free, It is a truism that:
Things seen are stronger than
things heard" Tennyson
Our government has wisely de
cided that it is not enough that our
people may read about the war in the
news dispatches; they must be given
the opportunity to see what is being
done
OF course, these words of exclu-
sion at the theater front are directed
solely against the African race. The
managers of the theater cannot law
fully exclude them; so they publish
these words which say in effect, to
the black man: 1--WE don't want you
here; keep out!"-expecting that their
pride will keep them away. This may
be claw honesty, but it is not moral
honesty nor patriotic.
Our African people were born citi.
zens of the United States, and the
parents of practically all of them
were also born here They have not
needed to be naturalized. AS a class
they are law abiding, moral and use
full citizens. They are equal to all
other citizens before the law as tc
civil rights and duties, including the
franchise and the rendering of milf
tary service. They work as indus
triously and pay their taxes just as
promptly as do white men. They
have volunteered freely in the mill
tary and naval service of our coun
try. We are not troubled by Negro
slackers, pacifists or l. w WIS. Negro
regiments commanded in part by
Negro officers, in the present war. as
in preceding ones, have been con
spicuous in their gallantry They
have won their percentage of the
decorations conferred for high cour-
age and unselfishness. In this war,
as in preceding ones, they have given
their lives freely and will continue
to give them freely for the land they
love as fervently as though their
skins were white. Have we had any
more honorable or useful citizens
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