Phoenix tribune., 1919-12-20
THE PRESIDENT THE
CONGRESS - THE
HOUR OF TRIAL
(By Associated Negro Press)

! w @AoDOSAaNCO 4NCS4O lCDoJ
The annual message of the Presi-
dent of the United States is before
the Congress. Again-as again and
again-the nothingncss of our particu-
lar group is emphasized. The year
has been filed with the most danger
Gus and delicate happenings, the bit
terest of feeling and the most afro
cious acts in the history of the ma
tion, so far as We 15,000,OO0 are con-
cerned; and yet it has not been re-
garded sufficient for the President to
make even direct yelled allusion to
the need of immediate cooperative
adjustment.
Our position is awkward and hui
initiating, but it is insistent and just.
Presidents and Congresses, year af-
ter year, have ignored, side-tracked
and "passed the buck" in matters af-
! fecting our constitutional rights. Ar
thur Brisbane, noted philosopher and
/ journalist, in a recent To-day ex-
preston stated that the cause of un.
rest is due to the fact that the war
has taught the people to THINK; that
in the last five years there has been
more REAL THINKING than in the
/ twenty-five previous years. THAT
APPLIES VERY PARTICULARLY Y
TO OUR GROUP. WE ARE NOW A
THINKING PEOPLE AND WE
KNOW THAT WE KNOW WE
HAVE SPENT A HALF CENTURY
PRAYING" AND "REQUESTING
AND HAVE SLIPPED BACKWARD
IN THE MARCH OF PROGRESS
TODAY WE ARE ASSUMING THE
PREROGATIvEs OF FULLrFLEDG
ED MANHOOD AND WE ARE de
MAND1NG" AND "ACTINGs THE
RESULTS. EVEN IN so SHORT A
TIME, ARE GRATIFYING.
| And now we are demanding a
4 hearing of our case and cause be-
fore the bar Of Justice and public
opinion; before the Congress- and
in the sight of God. The tide of
justice is sweeping the earth and
we cannot longer be ignored, even
If we were willing longer to 'pus-
syfoot." and merely Whine. We
are with the tide, but it is beyond
cur control.
Public opinion is crystalizing in oul
behalf This is being reflected in the
white pulpit and press; in the private
conversations and in the commercial
and industrial agencies for square
deal. Many of these. either through
shame or an awakening conscience
have taken high ground in recenf
months. which is no more nor less
than the true spirit of America speak
ing. To this liberated group we mus
righteouslv and militantly join oul
forces. Such an alliance is impreg
nahle and indominaIl~'
The conclusion of the President.
message is mighty in language ant
the choice of words. Let us hope
th9t in some corner of his cultured
4 mind he, also. thought of us. But !;
he did not, if must here and now b.
understood that we are thinking fo
ourselves. and that by no hook O.
crook, or devious construction. do W,
propose to he counted out of the equa
ton when he says:
"In America there is but one
way by which great reforms can
be accomplished and the relief
sought by classes obtained, and
that is through the orderly proc
esses of representative govern
ment. Those who would propose
any other method of reform are
enemies of this country. America
will not be daunted by threats
|; nor lose her composure or calm
, ness in these distressing times.
/, We can afford in the midst of this
: day of passion and unrest to be
seIf-contained and sure. The in
: strument of all reform to all
classes and conditions of men.
+, Men have but to follow this road
to realize the full fruition CT their
objects and purposes. Let those
beware who would take the short
! er road of disorder and revoIu-
tion.
"The right road is the road of
, Justice and orderly process"
That goes Cor us in all of our grou
perplexities and bewildering trov
: bles. 1t goes for disfranchisement
} lvrchiugs and "iim crows" it goe
! for riots and mobs and cold-bloode
! murder; it goes for economic hole