The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1918-11-08

his case if he expects the judge or
jury to render d decision in faycr
Of his client. Many case has beer
lost in congt ard many an innoesnt
person fined, imprisoned q. esaeu.cd
not because of Foyen eaiiiss Nslt be-
cause Of cpx.iiieting sitnsny 6n ffa
witness stand q ill., failure of The
attorney for The defense 81 nsase /;
logical and forcibla statement of tnn
actual facts ii the case.
What il true in criminal eaart ii
likewise true in the court Of PUBLIC
OPINION when the colored race Ii
tried The Negro il often ela.ged,
tried and sentenced, not because he
is guilty Of the eE@4ge alleged against
him, but Lscause his case was not
properly stated. 1t is customary in
the name Of justice to grant per-
son charged with the most henioug
crime the right to state his case or
counsel To state it for him, and we
believe that the Negro should have the
same prerogative when public opinion,
so far as the white race is concerned,
is to be passed upon him.
II public opinion is fair enough To
give d hearing to the Negroes plea
for justice and fair play, it is
just as essential as in the criminal
court to have some one able to state
his case. Ia many instances we have
suffered because our race had no able
representative to state our case in
SPECIAL CONFERENCES, where
race issues were discussed, on the
platform or through the public press,
but our public schools, high schools
and colleges have removed that diff
Guilty now. Though we have pro-
found scholars in the various lines
of thought, there seems to remain
some difficulties; unfortunately, it has
sometimes happened that those best
able to state our case to the whites
on vital race issues have failed to do
so either from fear of Il loss Of per-
sonal prestige, from financial con-
sideration, or from a hope of politi-
cal emoluments. When such d condi-
ton prevails the less informed part
OF our people become suspicious Of
those capable Of being our leaders and
do not trust them for fear that the
so-called leader will trade the fu-
ture interests of the race for their
own pecuniary profit or political
recognition. This is a condition much
to be regretted, for if race can't
trusts its own for leadership, whom
can it trust? "Blood should be
thicker than water among our people,
as well as others"
From this fact it is evident that
one of the essential prerequisites of
a proper statement of our case, is
LEADERS WHO WILL BE TRUE
TO THOSE WHO TRUST THEM
AND FOR WHOM THEY HAVE
BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH THE
GRAVE RESPONSIBILITY or
SPEAKING IN THE EARS OF
TIE WORLD"
Another difficulty often arises from
the disloyalty of those for whom well
informed and conscientious race men
and women jeopardize their present
standing and future possibilities, that
the case of the race may be properly
stated. While it may be true that
some who acted iii the role Of race
leaders may have proved to be uneer
tain quantities when money was IL
sight and official position seemed to
be within easy reach, but there are
many of our best informed men and
women who are not selfish, but like
Moses prefer to suffer with their peo-
pie. Though not wealthy, no amount
OF money is able to make them trai-
tors to the best interests Of their race.
Out of the fulness of pure and un-
selfish soul, when opportunity affords,
do they state the case of the Negro
with all the force at their command
that public opinion may conscientious
ly weigh all the evidence before it
passes verdict which may prove
rigid barrier to race honor and prog
ress. sTis true, it is pity, and "a
pity 'tis true" that many who are
wholly incompetent to state the case
of the race on civic, educational in
dustrial and political questions not
only refuse to allow others better
prepared to state it, but even dis
credit and censor those who truth
fully and ably state the case of the
race when speech is golden and ST.
lence is death. The history of the
world shows that leaders are essen
tial If race expects to become d
potential factor ia the battle OF life
It also shows that two conditions
must prevail: The leaders must be
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