The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1942-07-11
Forcing The Issue Ill. Listen To Dabney,
Ethrldge And Pegler

! IT HAS BEEN SAID that they are our friends who
know faults and love US STILL II could also
be said with equal truth that they also our friends
who tell the truth about ourselves without regard
TO whether this truth be fair or ugly OF course we
want most OF all TO hear the beautiful truth about
ourselves but the ugly truth needs telling most OF
all
Within recent weeks the Negro world has been
stirred by statements coming from whites supposed
10 be friendly towards the cause OF Negro advance
ments Here in Richmond We have two white news
papers whose constructive attitude on the color
question is source OF great pride and encourage
ment. One OF these papers is edited by Virgnins
Dabney of the liberals OF the new south. The
cause OF Negro advance never seeks In vain the sup
port OF Mr.. Dabney's Times Dispatch. He fought
ku-Kluxism TO standstill. He went all-out for the
question OF equalization OF teachers salaries. Hs
never falered before the challenge presented when
Virginia had not yet assumed responsibility for the
graduate etudy for Negroes. He has issued more
than one singing rebuke to Talmadgsm In Georgia
and elsewhere. He has advocated from the begin
ming the full indignation OF Negroes into the defense
work. Whenever and wherever Mr. Dabney could tip
the scales In the Negroes favor he did so without
equivocaton.
Mr. Dabney recently delivered himself on the
ominous outbreaks OF riots in the camps and
what he said counter to the opinions OF most
Negroes Negroes set upon him II TO rend him
and their disagreement with him ranged all the
way from friendly criticism to attempt TO discred-
IL him before Negroes and the nation. All that he
has done through the years TO help the cause OF Ne
groes advance was seemingly forgotten in an attempt
had full right TO disagree with Mr. Dabney; but 1t
not necessary TO carry the disagreement to such
ugly point In some instances done. Here is
man who has put his neck out for Negroes more
tan once; yet Negroes themselves seem bent oma-
hawking him.
The way they "waded" into Editor Dabney L.
mighty poor encouragement for other whites 10
champion the Negroes cause: for they warned
that unless they say all that Negroes want said and
say the way Negroes want said they blis-
tering wrath The easier course for white person
would be TO let the Negroes paddle their canoe
rather than put out their necks in Negro behalf.
More recently Mark Ethridge OF Kentucky has
sukoen after such manner that Il easily be con-
strued as coming from Mr. Dabneys resuce. Mark
Ethridge has exhibited one OF the finest spirits In
dealing with this ali-vexing Negro question He Is
one Southern white that Negroes have learned TO
esteem and trust But Mr.. Ethridge serves notice
on Negroes that they need not expect any revolution
IN race relations during the Immediately
after He like Mr.. Dabney fears that too much
hard pushing" the part OF Negroes will result
disastrousiy unless there II greater caution II Is
erveny 10 be hoped that Negroes will not try 10 de-
1 capitate Mr.. Ethridge for his frank expression.
j II is probable that Both Mr.. EthridEe and Mrs.
Dabney know something do not know, and are
trying TO warn us In time. II might be well for as
10 take what these white friends say a. essential III
formation germans 70 the readjusments the war VIII