New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-11
Negroes Pledge
Solid Vote to
Elect Harding,
ssAmens and ''Hallelujahs''
Greet Candidates Assur.
ance That America Will
Not Fail Colored People
Delegates Hear Pershing
General Tells Them Early
Peace Would Have Been
impossible Without Race
Fysr, q stag Correspondent

aamens" and shrill "ha!ielujahs" echoed
to-day among the branches Of the
Buckeye trees that shade the Harding
'front.' porch when delegations of Bap-
list and Methodist negroes, many of
them preachers, shouted their appre-
citation as Senator Harding assured
them that America will not fail the
negro.
= General John J. Pershing, q guest Of
the Hsrdings, was an interested par
.ieipant in these front porch functions.
BE spoke to the Baptists in the morn
ing aud to the Methodists in the af-
teraoon, stirring them to shouting en-
thusiasm when he said that without
the colored people America could not
have won victory as early as it did.
One Of the negro pastors, invoking
o blessing on the candidate, implored
the Almighty to lead a Republican
host down Pennsylvania Avenue on
the fourth Of next March when Sena-
tor Harding shall be inaugurated. The
same preacher sent promise on high
that negro voters swould 60 to the
polls in "a solid phalanx on November
and cast their ballots for this true
American" AS he prayed the negroes
standing in the yard bowed their
heads and occasionally burst out with
Praise the Lord"
Did Not Fail America
@hs different speakers besought
Senator Harding to end "Jim Crow
ism" and lynch law. In his speech
the candidate said:
@Abroad particularly in Russia,
there has grown up the idea that by
some impossible magic q government
can give out bounty by the mere
fsct Of having liberty and equality
written over its door, and that citi-
Senshlp need make no deposits in the
bank OF common veal in order to write
CHECKS upon that bank. Here at home
we have had too much encourage
ment given to the idea that a govern
ment is something for nothing in
stitution. But I say that citizenship
Is not based upon what one can get.
out that 1t is based upon what one can
give. say-and | wish that | could
speak through you to all Americans
let's serve
Under that slogan of good citizen
arp there is no reason whv vo,,
should not hold your heads high, Ton
who are assembled to-day, and yonr
race in America, have the good sense
as all thoughtful Americans have. to
Know that 1t is only in a country where
smerit, capacity and worth of men and
women are recognized and rewarded
'nas merit, capacity and worth are de-
veloped. NC
you and and good Americans Of
Whatever color. blood or creed know
mat the aspiration of all men IS equal
opportunity to create recognition of
ciHerences between themselves, and
tnas no injustice known to man can be
greater IMAM that of the tyranny and
autoeracy that labels itself democracy
or Bolshevism or prole tariat and en-,
saves ali men and all their ambitions
ana all their freedom with the iron
hand OF mediocrity. The American
negro has the good sense to know this
.rush' has the good sense and clear
mead and brave heart to live it, and l,
assuming to speak truth which Amer
sa ought to know, proclaim it to all
tns world that he has met the test and
oid and will not fail America.
proclaim more; | assert to all the
world that America has not and will
hos iall the American negro.
i. there are those who doubt me
les them look to the rocord-the record
OF the colored race in American citi
1enanlp, and the record Of America in
giving opportunity.
Your rery presence in assembly
eoming from great organizations dedi-
sssea 70 high religious purposes, is
ousn 70 cause any man to give
.seosnition in mis- heart to the great
s ~a;.l to American citizenship,
s anlen IS found in the capacity for
vow thells,ous faith among people of
rs"r;o uiooo' America needs the deep
il eUus la'tn. She needs it whether
prot soiaes IRON Catholic. Jew or
zsnss o ant. she needs it in her citi-
~ ap, ana recognize that the best
A.. america - our spirltLal life and not
sar mate-ia' possessions. and that IL
an II.nefiea ever lots her spiritual life die
jov e Will no longer be the land we
liz. me 10; expression Of that spiritual
nte, alive in the hearts Of the peoni ns
hasii. out blood, has. believe. been the
AS Tor the achievements Of fhe
sn."ln negro. They are great and
wazlng achievements. They have been
ej.y;ught, not from words nor false
SINS, but b. patience, tolerance, re-
ssa s'ns and by the earned rewards Of
c;.;,m merit, capacity and worth in
aWSship of which I have spoken.
ea,o men we Americans Of whatever
tbs render trlhute to the record of
IA ran mSerican negro, let us not forget
render tribute to Amerjcs nn5ar
TAose Institutions apd a~naa ~
tssnyP.e their record was made. For
yoa-and through you / tell all
n- asns il your people have
m ssnsd in 80 amazing and Inspiring
am snes, 1t must have been that
49, gave you opportunity. II Won
~ Hsen by your merit, capacitv
worth. and not by agitation and
tn.ssace and revolt against our insti
pey ,,YHa, u Is proof that you have pros
iosssSS under our institutions and have
Have Earned Right to Justice
bload ths men and women OF your
ei,. .' nave given, AZ we all desired TO
snS,aa great outpourjng Of treasure
is,. p,'od upon the alter of patriot
: ,n. , " IL because the truth WAS in
sss az heatts- America has given Won
~ leat blessing Of justice.
7, Ioa nave it. and you shall have it.
tb., *' ua,,i De good American citizenship
nass, ""i continue to accord il to YOUR
Il = X have anything to do with
sssA,. snail also be good American
fnI ..ini 70 law. Brutal and unlaw-
tha.. DI 's' whether 1t proceeds from
~ who break the law or from those
sae take the law into their own bsnds
~. only be dealt with in one wav by
I99 Americans who4h.- sL -