The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1919-02-01

boys In khaki fold their tents and
come marching homeward bound. the
stupendous problems arise before the
American people; one Is largely eco
nouic and the other is ethic. The
Negro is very much concerned in
each, but both will be ultimately set
lied right. In very large measure
we. OF the Negro race, can hasten
or delay the proper beginning OF the
righteous and Just settlement to
which we are entitled, and to which
America and the world. by the yery
nature of things already done and
said, stands committed.
/ am fully aware OF the feeling OF
! anxiety and apprehension extant
among our people in this country.
After supporting the Government in
/ the prosecution OF the war with gun,
food, money and 100 per cent Ameri-
canism to the best OF their ability,
they are wondering today II the
Democracy for which we fought and
20 which the government stands com
mitted, led by Democratic President,
backed by Southern leadership, shall
mean as much to the American Negro
as II means to the Belgians, Serbians,
and Armenians; in my opinion, In the
broadcast Interpretation, II will, but
we must ourselves. by our own acts
In time Of peace, weigh heavily in the
scale OF all-round good citizenship as
we did in war.
do not counsel sycophantic, cow
ardly bringing on the part of any
one. but the obnoxious, arrogant
"chip on the should conduct OF
individuals or nations does not win in
the long run, as Germany has well ex.
perienced.
am satisfied that large majority
OF the American people stand for
square deal, the number Is large now
since the war than before, and II is our
power to increase even the present
percentage. The outbreak OF a.
fresh lynching fever, almost stimuli
taneously with the signing OF the Ar
mistice, is taking and trying, and cal
culated TO shake the faith OF some,
but these lynchers and lynching com
munities will henceforth have more
the mark Of Cain than that OF heroes,
privileged characters or attractive
communities, and those who back, con
rome or participate in such infamous
crimes lose UNNECESSARILY more than
their victims, or the people It is de-
signed to intimidate.
The President has taken a strong
stand against lynching, and the lead
ing Southern papers like the Com
mercial Appeal have spoken in terms
OF condemnation against this evil as
never before. | am OF the opinion
that regardless to statutory enact
ments, the practice Of lynching will be
wiped out in proportion as such
moulders Of public sentiment inocu-
late the people with strong. active
determination against 1t, and we
must take position that our friends
can best help us, rather than one that
Is calculated to hinder or embarrass.
or course the radicals and extremists
serve purpose in their agitations,
just as do the ultra conservatives;
for between and very much by them
we get the happy medium; the many
organizations among and for Negroes
throughout the country, having for
their object the general advancement,
protection and progress of the Race,
are not to be condemned as a whole,
for many are on the right track and
doing constructive and far-reaching
good, but II you have read the various
Negro journals and publications
from all sections OF the country. you
Will quite likely agree with me that
the utterances In many of them are
calculated to do more harm than good,
and II we had some method OF censor
ing some Of them, many bad breaks
might be avoided. for unfortunately,
and too, quite improperly, we are
judged more By the bad than by the
good Again 1t may not be amiss to
send note of warning on the home
coming of our boys from the army.
At the beginning OF our entry into
the war. from all sections Of the
country, the Negro was suddenly
called to the colors, ushered into al.
together new conditions that gave
him another estimate OF himself, and
those who were fortunate enough to
so oversee received even a greater
zest. Quite naturally on returning
~ civic life he will not and cannot
&c the same in many respects. and no
person expects It, but he
win best serve his Race, hii-self and
his country by pursuing sene, SEN
sible. courteous. though manly, course
IN his intercourse with people in his
civil life.
The caIntry knows the Negro he's
fought, bled and died for America ana
Democracy and he will not be wanting
In friends to plead his cause or con
tend for his rights, but he must ever
bear in mind that one mans rights end
where another maj s rights begin, and
such is lost by the Negro soldier. and,
consequently. the Race by any unbe-
coming conduct In any manner what
soever; mot by might not b. power,
but by my spirit was said by the
Great Teacher ctasuries ago, and to
his day His Gospel and His only has
run the gauntlet Of time.
The after-war problems confront
ing Anorica. resultant from this war
are more complex hazardous and
fraught with greater responsibilities
than tho1e following tho civil war. and
t shall 10 the opportunity and priv
i;ege of the Negro to share greatly in
the work Of construction: let us turn
our attention thoughtfully to the con,
sideration Of sane, safe. logical, ten
able policy to pursue, working in the
ranks elways as America citizens.
trusting our case with liding faith
before the Bar OF American Public
opinion.
(5igned) CE7AS. BANKS,
st vire.Pre1ident Natl Negro Bust
ness League.
4 LETTER FROM FRANCE