Evening journal., 1918-05-02


slavery, the most degrading form OF
tyranny known to civilization, began on
the American continent Il was greed
and avarice unhindered that tore our
forebears from their ancestral homo.
With all the disadvantages that accom-
panied slavery IN America II certainly
was an advantage over and step far
in advance OF the primitive barbario
customs OF our African ancestors. in
America our ancestors were IN the
closest contact with civilization and
Christianlty-at least with the best that
could be found here at that time. Even
in this crude form it was vast inn
provement over tribal strifes and fet-
'ishism.
Here our domestication and education
began. The English language, pugnant
with Christian ideas and thoughts has
so permanently supplanted the pagan
dialect that today no American negro
knows single word OF &C. All those
were a blessing In disguise for us. The
Indian was already here when the white
man came. lie was well nigh imperyiOus
10 civilization and as a consequence has
almost perished from the land. We were
sufficiently inquisitivc and docile to
imbibe The best In the existing civill-
zation and Christianity for as ever only
The 0ttest whites could own or hire
slaves.
There was much harshness and
cruelty In the system. True civiliza-
tion viii always hold the system as "a
plague spot on humanity but there
were many masters who were humane
and conslderate i'm The treatment OF
their slaves
When we were finally emancipated
we were stu subjected 20 the dlsad-
yanlages that are the common heritage
Of any people that are fOrcibly freed.
We frankly and canddly admit that
we are seriously handicapped in the
race of life even now. When we would
gladly forget all injustice and mob
violence our minds are refreshed al
most every week with gruesOme scenes
that beggar description, which still mar
our fair land We know that there are
true hearted loyal Americans Of both
races who are doing all that Is IN their
power 70 put an end 10 this inhuman
and wanton brutality.
The melting pot has hither found us
too refractory for fusion. Its IRE, like
the FIRE OF Nebuchadnezzars furnace.
has OF late become seven times hotter
than it was wont TO be heated and we
are being fused into and with the Allied
peoples that are lighting TO make the
world safe for democracy and'to bring
out OF the worlds conflagration a de-
mocracy that shall be safe for a reno
waited world. We are too loyal and true
TO American ideals, too patriotic and
large souled TO hate any living NOR
tai for deeds done by their ancestors
TO ours In past years when mems sense
OF justice and right was not so keenly
alive as it Is today. Only the small
defOrmed soul can hate a fellOw-man.
We will not let any domestic discomfort
deter us from opposing to the utter
most a cruel and inhuman foe that
seeks to wipe out with the besome de-
struction all that is richest and dearest
! i'm our American life and ideals. Let us
not forget that we are not citizens Of
Africa but Of America. We are among
the truest and most loyal citizens.
Every one OF us, without a single ex-
ception, believe that an men are born
free and equal and have an inalienable
right 20 life, liberty and the pursuit Of
I happiness. Every Negro believes this
with all OF his heart. and should feel
/ that whether he goes to war or buys
I Liberty Bonds with his small earnings.
whether he helps in busy hum OF the
mill and factory, or honestly tills the
soil TO produce more food, he is doing
his bit 10 actualize the great ideals upon
which our nation was founded These
arc ihe things we have always stood
for. This is the task 10 which we dedi-
cate our lives. This is really the frst
chance we have ever had to strike down
the tyranny Of which we have so long
been the helpless and unfortunate vic
Tins. We know, as few other people
on earth know, what It is to be op-
/ pressed This is the first time in his
tory that all the liberty loving people
Of the earth have Joined themselves to-