The Western outlook., 1927-02-12


basic principles not only rests the Or
der of Elkdom, but likewise the secur
ity Of Christian civilization. The pres
ence in every Elk Lodge of the Holy
Bible and the American Flag is ample
evidence that the Cardinal principle OF
the great Fraternity is Christian,
American citizenship.
To be a good Elk, one must be a
good Christian and good American
citizen We must give unto Ceasar
ne things that are Ceasar's and unto
God the things tllat are Hods
AS striking example of the exem-
plification of the principles of Elkdom,
permit me to take you back two years
ago to the Annual Convention at Rich
mond, Virginia. Many people feared
that the Elks and their friends might
suffer certain indignities in the old
Capitol of the Confederacy, but un-
daunted and unafraid, the ElkS assem-
bled in great numbers and such was
their conduct, such was their behav-
ior that White Richmond WED with
Colored Richmond to make the city
hospitab1e for the visitors. The Rlch-
mond Daily papers featured the Con-
vention on its front pages and IN its
every day editorial column The Gov
ernor of the State, in person, the May
or of the City and the President of
the Chamber of Commerce stood with
barred heads, three hours in the broll-
ing sun to review the magnificent pa
rade of $4,000 Elks,
There are many things that | might
telpFon about that convention but time
WI not permit suffice it to say that
the City of Richmond saw fit to re-
move all jim-crow signs from the
street cars. so as not to embarrass its
guests, and finally, on the day after
the convention, the Richmond Daily
said, editorially, that the Chief OF Po-
lice had reported that although there
had been present for a week, about
$4,000 Elks and friends in the City, it
was by far the most orderly and well
behaved crowd that ever held con-
venton in Richmond, black or white.
Brother Exalted Ruler it is to fos-
ter the same kind of citizenship here
in this city and state of wonderous
opportunity that we are today ded1-
eating this, our Elks' Home. Together
with the school and church, with the
home and scocial centers, we are
reconsecrating ourselves to the task
of preparing our youth and ourselves
for reciprocal union with society.
That is the general trend and aim OF
all education We are very sollcltous
tat our people do nothing to retard
community development. And there
fore my friends, when we know we do
not offend in that particular, when we
know that our contribution to the up
lift and Identification of the district
in which we reside, is on par with
other citizens, then we must INSIST that
the "door OF hope" be not closed to us
and our children. We greatly deplore
that there has grown up practice OF
covenanting to exclude persons of our
race from highly improved and select
districts, solely because of their color
No doubt, these i'll advised persons
think that they are improving their
property and as they claim, maintain
ing the high American Standard OF
living, on the contrary, they are do
ing a very undemocratic and unAmer-
ican thing and are creating situation
for which their children will look back
upon them with disgust and shame.
Young America, as evidenced in the
recent conference held in Minnesota
is getting sick and ashamed of the silly
prejudice which has been rammed
down its throat by former generations
Young America is every dav repudat-
{ ing it. President Coolidge rightly says
1 that those who practice racial preju-