The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1939-11-17
HERE'S MORE ABOUT
No Discrimination
CONTINUED from Page One)

1t is not a matter of coincidence,
however, but rather a result of the
activity of the Blessed Martin
League of Oregon, that at a time
when the Catholic Church is ac-
cused of discrimination, "a for
the first, time in Oregon history
the suspected" Society of st. Vim
cent de Paul boasts four Negro
members, two of whom are also
members of the Archdiocesan Par
ticular Council, and one on the
Board of the Blessed Martin
League; and (2) also for the first
time in Pacific Coast history the
Archdiocesan Curia of the Legion
Of Mary has three Negro lady
members, one of whom was recent
ly appointed the secretary of that
statewide body. If this is the kind
of discrimination and segregation
practiced by the Catholic Church
in Portland, then what is wanted
Is not less--but more of the same.
From the beginning of the UNI
dersigned's interest in the cause of
the Negro people in Portland, there
has been sustained opposition on
the part of one Catholic lady,
whom the Northwest Enterprise
describes as lone of Portland's
most prominent Negro Catholics. +"
That such opposition is not consid-
cred popular, praiseworthy or well
come is evident from the follow
ing testimonial dated May "a,
1899:
ITO whom it may concern:
1.-THE undersigned colored men,
bers of the Catholic Church of
Portland, Oregon, freely and will
ingly hereby testify that they are
heartily in accord with the estab-
lishment of the Blessed Martin So
cial Center and its location at 81
Northeast Broadway, and that
they are definitely not in sympa-
thy with, moreover deeply deplore,
any action on the part of Catho-
lies or others that seeks to oppose
or otherwise obstruct the function
of said Social Center
1.-THE undersigned also wish to
go on record as asserting their UNI
qualified support of the present
Social Center Directors plans as
approved by the Most Reverend
Archbishop Howard, and willingly
agree that copy of this testimon-
ial receive dignified publicity"
This document bears the sigma
lures of twenty Catholics and six
others under instruction. (Photo-
static copies of the original testi-
monial will be supplied at cost pre-
paid.
AS boy I was reared by good
Catholic parents to respect older
people and to honor the priesthood.
1t is not fitting, therefore, for me
to engage in rehearsal of per-
sonal differences or to expose my
side of a controversy limited at in
last weeks paper. To do this
would only protract a needlessly
unpleasant situation and bring dis
taste to fairminded and intelligent
readers.
The personal Investigation by
representatives of the Northwest
Enterprise and Urban League of
Seattle into the alleged pilot" in
Portland led to what most Port
land people already knew, lie. that
the affair was only a mental "tem-
pest in a teapot" The Seattle re-
representatives. have been satisfied,
as Portland civic group leaders
have been for some time, that no
injustice whatsoever is being done
Portland Catholic Negroes; but,
rather to the contrary, that the
foundation for much lasting good
is being laid. In fact, there has
been naught but praise for the
appearances of the premises and
the activities of the Blessed Martin
League and Chapel.
In concluding may I suggest
that there is plenty of work to do
for all groups interested in adj
vancing the Negro cause without
wasting time and retarding pro-
gress by casting suspicion on one
another's progressive activities and
trying to settle personal griev-
ances. There is one maxim 1 like
to quote anent this, that of the
great emancipation, with malice
toward none; with charity for all;
with firmness in the right as God
gives us to see the right; . and
let us bind up the nations wounds
T" It is perhaps not idle to
SlIppaSt that throwing Sharr stones