The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-04-27

I AQUlELEEs
We greet you, and crave your atte1
ton for q few moments on thi
Patriots Day, which is a reminder I
the American people of our first BATH
in freedoms war, the War of hide
! pendence, in which at least 5000 Col
/ ored men served even in those earlies
days-a fact but little known an
even then forgotten, along with othe
important facts not taught today Il
our schools.
The National Race Congress wa
organized in 1885 for the purpose O.
welding together the masses OF tbs
American people of African descent
into a potent voice and force IN tht
interests Of their development and the
protection OF their civil liberties and
rights, and therefore Of the liberties
of all American citizens. Also in con
tributing their constructive share in
making Of the America they love, and
have unswervingly served for several
generations, a real democracy TO en-
Tighten the world Of mankind, and help
to usher in universal good.
If it be asked, What is the need and
justification The answer is. that the
need is TO remove our disabilities
which We have long endured from the
beginning. The justification lies in
the fact that IN the bOsOms Of the
majority Of the population OF the land
there is an innate sense OF justice
which viii make itself felt when facts
and conditions can be brought home 10
their consciousness; and also because
Of the present fearsome situation the
world over.
Because civilizations live and die,
he who runs may read that trans
forming changes are now taking
place among US, and everywhere civil
ized people gather. These changes
are z challenge 10 America TO choose
wisely We the people of this genera
ton are now called upon to make
what is perhaps the most important
decision since the Fall Of the Roman
Empire and the subsequent Dark Ages
Of thousand years duration. The
war conflicts Of this day, in arms and
other fields, If not checked, viii result
IN utter destruction. But this need
not happen, because man has the
power, If he develops the will, 70
change the affrighting conditions he
has created. VIII mankind seize this
opportunity? The National Race
Congress believes so.
What, then, is the programme OF
the National Race Congress? Il
seeks TO find paths, under law and
order, 10 help so far as II can, TO
establish right in place Of wrong and
might, 10 find a place in the sunlight
for the toiling, suffering millions OF
its group, who are underpaid, poorly
fed and ill-housed.
This general programme has been
commended by the President OF the
United States in a published letter Of
greeting addressed 70 the president Of
our Congress. President Roosevelt
stated that this is a time in the his
tory Of the world, and in the history
Of our own nation, when the wisdom
OF the whole people is more than ever
needed If common problems are 70 be
solved. p. II IS important that mem
bers Of minority group consider TO-
gether their special problems -. for
the benefit Of all, regardless Of color
creed or geography"
Specifically, We re-affirm our faith
in religion and its ideals, and the
spiritual ministrations Of the Church
and the need Of the moral law; and
We protest hp-service TO these neces-
sary ideals wherever hp-service
exists; for, as one Of our talented
sons, now gone recently to his long
rest, has sung with our united &C.
claim:
"Sing q song full Of the Faith
that the dark past has taught US:
Sing song full Of the hope that
the present has brought Us:
We have come over the way that
with tears have been watered,
We have come treading the path
through the blood Of the slaugh-
tered.
"Out of the gloomy past
God Of our weary years, God Of
our silent tears,
Thou who hast brought Us thus fan
on our way,
Keep US forever in the path we
pray"
We avow the doctrine of liberty. fra
ternlty, and equality" under law, q:
the only sure foundation for the per
petuation Of the democratic form Of
government enunciated in our Fedora
Constitution,-namely, the liberty O.
free men and women; the fraternity
taught by the Christianity we profess
and the equality Of opportunity which
the Creator purposed when He gave
and continues 10 give for all mankind
all the basic things that they need an,
use.
In carrying out this programme
there will be held this month tn,
Third National Race Congress. il
WaShinp+nn. d g mr. Na+inr,,r G.;