The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-25
Liberal Viewpoint
by DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

"All in the Name Of God" by Everett r.
| Clinchy John Day Co, 50.
Negro Americans, What Now?" b. James
Weldon Johnson viking Press, s125).
Fourscore: An Autobiography" by Robert
| Grant Houghtor Mifflin Co., so.
| CLASS ana race prejudice seems well on its
~ way to wrecking the modern world Glass
prejudice makes it impossible to work out a
realistic and adequate program of social and
economic justice which would enable us to use
for the benefit of all the marvellous resources of
modern machinery and applied science. The
economic pressure resulting from this failure
| together with the menace of race prejudice is
heading us toward another devastating world
war.
1t is well known that religion can be a pow
erful force for justice and good will or a ire
mendouS impulse to selfShnesS and hatred Mr.
Clinchy's work as director Of the National Con-
ference Of Jews and Christians has been con-
Spicuous instance Of the possible beneficial in
f1uences of religion. His book, on the other
hand, is one Of the most powerful and lucid
portrayals of the hatreds and passions which
have been engendered AL in the name of God"
While DR.. Chnchy makes cogent reference
to the revival of racial prejudice and other bit
ter hates in contemporary Europe he does well
to imply that We should solve our own problems
in this field before setting ourselves up as critics
| Accordingly, he devotes most of his interest
| ing little volume to the various examples Of
racial religious and national prejudice in the
United States from early days to the present
time.
TIE describes the early prejudice against
L Ouakers and Catholics, the rise and prog
resS of the KnOW-Nothings, the development of
the Klu-KluX Khan especially its recent man
ifestationS, the growth of anti-Semitism and the
exploitation of all of these various preJudlceS
by various groups of politicians. He ends up with
powerful plea for cultural pluralISm' and
policy of Give and let live"
A wide reading of this book would be no
table contribution to the growth OF more CIV
ilized attitude in our country.
One of the most notable forms of prejudice
in this country is the race prejudice of the white
against the black Of the many distinguished
leaders of the Negro cause, there is no one more
intelligent, dignifled and realistic than James
Weldon Johnson. In brief book he has put
the essentials of the Negro problem in clear, re-
alistic and logical fashion. He recognized that
Negro emancipation can not be expected i'm
mediately or all at once but he warns against
any satisfaction with the temporary advantages
of segregation:
"I have tried to show that the most logical
the most feasible and most worthwhile choice
for us is to follow the course that leads to our
becoming integral part of the nation, with
the same rights and guarantees that are &C
corded to other citizens, and on the same terms
have pointed out that common sense COM
pels us to get whatever and all the good we can
out of the system of imposed segregation, to
gather all the experience and strength that can
be got from it; that we should use that expert
ence and strength steadily and as rapidly as
possible to destroy the system. The seeming adj
vantages of imposed segregation are too costly
to keep"
WTHILE he is thoroughly committed to an
w advanced program of social and economic
justice, Mr.. johnson recognizes the danger of
adding the prejudice against the Reds to those
which exist against the blacks. Hence he sees
little hope for the time being in any alignment
of the Negro with the Communist party in the
United States. Nor is he blind to the defects
of Negro institutions, and in particular, calls
attention to the necessity of undermining the
Negro religion and having it come to grips with
| the social realities of today.
Perhaps the most dangerous sort of person
is one whose prejudiccs are so deep seated as to
be practically unconscious. Of this type Judge
Grants autobiography illustrates a conspicuous
example. The judge is best known one of
| the committee Who finally sent Sacco and
| Vanzetti to the chair. In spite of all the ma
| terial which has been published to demonstrate
| their innocence as thoroughly as any human is
sue can be settled decisively there is no evil
dence that Judge Grant realizes that he die
a great wrong
Incidentally the publication of his book will
not enhance the reputation Of another eminent
Judge the late William Howard Taft, who wrote
the following letter to Judge Grant shortly after
Sacco and Vanzetti had been electrocuted:
Nov that all is over can properly write
you about the Sacco-Vanzetti case. AS citizen
I want to thank you for accepting the task OF
serving on the Governors committee of adj
visors in that case. 1t was thankless task and
required courage and sacrifice to Go it. You
and your colleagues did it and did it well. 1t
| concerned the welfare of society here and the
world in an unusual way. It is remarkable how
Frankfurter, with his article, was able to pre-
sent to so large body of readers perverted
view of the facts and then through the world
wide conspiracy of Communism spread it to
many many countries. Our law schools lent
themselves to the vicious propaganda. The utter
lack of substance in it all is shown by the event
1t was a bubble and was burst by the courage
of the Governor and his advisors.
| Feeling personal debt to you for what you
did for me as one of the too often forgotten
public write to note and acknowledge it."