The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1919-04-18

III reply to the most high-sounding
and logical appeal TO the colored peo-
pie of Dayton and everywhere, by an
unknown white friend, am forced to
present this article to the public and
laity in the negative.
We are well aware of the fact that
the erection of morals, and the culti-
vation of the intellect, with the high
est ideal, are the essentials to racial
progress and happiness. Further, |
am aware Of the fact that in all ages
of the worlds history the habits and
customs of races OF Heterogeneous
types tending toward progress are
unparalleled, and will be in ages to
come. These non -paralleled conditions
create . desire in the oppressed for
advancement; desire in the advanced
to keep the oppressed under the iron
clad hands of predominance, without
any regards for the moral and civil
rights Of the oppressed. Then It IN
evitably stands to reason that the
fault lies not within immortal souls
OF oppression. but in the hateful
hearts Of oppressors. Then the first
lesson of the age to be taught, in an
era so critical as this, is self-adjust-
nent. Then proceed to remove the
mote from the eye Of thy brother.
can only say to my people with
the highest veneration for God and
man, that education, organization. and
determination are the only hope to
escape the gloomy dungeons of op-
preston. Not until these conditions
are in reality, will we survive in the
sunlight Of justice. with liberty, fra
ternity, and equality.
We are pleased at this juncture to
inform our white friend that the Me-
gro race i'm America, whom he deems
unworthy, has always been a peaceful
race, law-abiding race; race who
in it's humble state Of existence has
filled the Golfers of Anglo-Saxon
America, for years, decades, and CEN
turies. Further, my race performs its
duty in the worlds warfaring drama;
for humanity and democracy, beyond
the bounds Of excellence. My race
fought for a government of, for, and
by the people. 1t fought for a govern
ment that it loves; vet government
that loves it not. Now, to our white
-. hx, ~. ha .pixyu
our rights or not? ! answer in the
affirmative. Yes, we are worthy!
Wait Not for Rights to be
Given to Us
We have no time, no right, to rely
or wait on any races judgment, as to
our worth and efficiency for life's
usefulness. 1t now behooves US to
strike the anvils of discrimination,
segregation, and unjust legislation
with the hammers of faith; that the
joyful sounds of liberty and justice
may ring in the ears of mankind
throughout the world.
This is an era in which there is q
persistent warfare between the ma
tions of the earth--some striving to
maintain supremacy, commercially and
financially; others contending for
their rights, morally. civilly, and po-
litically Then does it seem logical
that any race predominating would
present any instrument which would
impede its progress, in a commercial
political, and financial sense No
enphatically Mol
1t should be the supreme design Of
the leaders of our race, through the
press, pulpit, and platform, as media
of information and enlightenment, rel
ative to. the races prosperity. Through
like channels, the race should be
aroused to action as to the obtainance
of it's own rights, with God-given op-
portunities, to rise out of the den Of
human lions.
NY race should be taught in reyer
ence to every immortal in the aboli
tion of servitude, to every martyr whs
died for freedom, to every patriot witt
fought for his country, cry out il
protest of unjust administration oi
the laws OF our land.
The white gentleman states thai
our rights will be forced. Resting
upon the premises Of worthiness am
efficiency, we have more plausible
reasons to believe that they viii mo-
be forced upon us. than we have tt
believe that they win. Our rights
our moral rights, rights which com.
from God, have been assailed, IRE
spective Of efficiency and worth. An.
race having no reverence for the eth
ical rights Of another race, has no rev
erence for rights based upon law
made by man. Hence we should pu
into action our forces of demand. Ac
ton cnly s',ves reaction for Q
against. IF it is negative, it is onl.
ou's to rise, and return with create
courage. a greater hope for the fu