The Omaha guide., 1935-01-05
congressman MttcheIl's Opportunity

United States Congress can become more than
the representatives Of the particular district
votes the honor and responsibility. He can,
If BIZ enough, become the symbol and express
sion Of the aspirations and hopes of the Negro
race. He can become the unofficial ambassa-
dor and herald Of voiceless and voteless million
of black people In various sections Of this
proud and boastful Commonwealth. In order
to measure III that role and function in that
wider and deeper sense one must be able to
stand within the frame work of the particular
party organization that offers votes enough to
secure certificate Of election 10 the seat III Con
gress and at the same time transcend the limits
fixed by geography, ~physiognomy, partisan
politics, social clans, denomira bigo ry and
become the servants Of the people. Because
such is both possible and imperative, due to
the exigencics of cur race plight, makes it
easy for OUT people without regard to party
affiliation to rejoice and take courage whenever
any man is lifted from amongst us to that ped
! estal of influence and power. Oscar Depriest,
Congressman from the first Illinois dis rict, for
y. the last six years has demonstrated that fact
He performed his duties Of the office immedi-
ately affecting his district, and EN- cred into
that larger area where the race has felt the in
fluence of his vision and ability and The power
of the people of that dis riot in the last cleo
actions. As a congressman DePriest served
his race and humanity in general, and VIII
leave a record as spokesman for human rights
that will keep the fires OF ambi ion and hope
burning for generations to come. But by vote
OF the people of that dirStric in the last cleo
ton DePriest is to retire and Arthur w. Nit
chell is to take that seat of opportunity as a
Democratic congressman.
Will Mr.. Mitchell meet the challenge and mea
sure up to his opportunity as he may find it in
that wider field Of service to the entire race
as has his predecessor? Some think and say
so. Millions hope so. His own words soon
after his election would point in that direction
His interview promised Constructive thought.
honest action and real craftsmanship" 1t
promised further to "always endeavor to be
on the alert and use all the power that resides
in me to protect the interest of my group
Then he said. ct shall welcome constructive
criticism from the people Of the country. - That
sounds well and arresting. One could yell
out loud and even say ttwhoopee' to what
CongreSsman-elect Mitchell said in that first
interview. Under the influence Of that state
ment one could hardly expect to have news
papers giving account of a visit of the new
leader to Kansas City and report his refusal to
stop and allow a great State School to recogn-
lie the new Congressman. Did Mr.. Mitchell on
a visiting tour through Greater Kansas City
IN charge OF a committee 90 almost to the
entrance OF the State Industrial Department 1T
Western University and refuse to pay a min
ute's attention to the faculty and student body?
That Is what was reported. Did he give as
his reason that it might offend some friend Of
his? That was also reported. Could Mr..
Mitchell or those who had him in charge think
that such action would be expected Of a new
race leader, a statesman, a man big enough to
succeed Oscar DePriest? Hardly. One would
not need an over amount Of wisdom to under
stand that it is much easier to bring ones in
telLigence and adequate and merited concep-
ton Of tn condemnation than it is to snub a
stat school where young people are IN training
for service. And so Mr.. Mitchell could hardly
be put in that attitude even if that had been
designed by irresponsible advice. He would
certainly know "that constructive thought of
which he is to be an exponent, cuts across art
ificial lines and operates in an area of funda-
mental unity of the human race. He would be
aware that "honest action may contravene
petty whims and personal prejudices where a
man has a chance to encourage education and
inspire a generation Of young people to high
endeavor. He surely would know that Estates
nanship" is not born Of partisan pride nor
personal bias. Indeed craftsmanship is concern
ed, not with parties and factions, but with
great principles and 'honest actions'; not