Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1942-08-14

"All people who are without financial
resources, have no other way of focusing
attention upon their problem except
through the use of mass power. Moreover,
the centers of business, labor and govern
ment only respond to pressure of definite
challenge and no pressure is a challenge
unless it is the result of tremendous Or
ganized efforts.
Arriving at the relation of the Negro
to the world at war, Randolph bluntly
asked and answered the question which all
had come to hear asked and answered.
Should the Negro marshal his forces
in colossal demonstrations for his rights
during this war;
THE answer is yes, the labor leader
Numbered. Now is his greatest opportu-
nifty. Why?
1.-THE country and the, united rations
need the Negro now more than ever before.
This is a matter of elementary economics
that as the demand for goods or services
increases, the price Of that goods or serv-
ice increases also. There was much
laughter at this point.
1T is a matter of common knowledge
that a political party always promises the
Negro more during a campaign than at
any other time because it needs his
vote. When the campaign passes, no more
promises are made and few are fulfilled.
The Government recognizes this princi-
pie itself. Note the increase in the pay
of soldiers to $4,000 per month"
There was a gale of laughter as he went
on;
greater concession in self-government DUR
ing this war than ever before? Because
Great Britain needs India. Why did
Gandhi and Nehru refuse the ofterH Be
cause they know that since Great Britain
needs India, India can get more than Great
Britain offered to give.
That is just good horse trading sense.
For any people to refuse to demand and
fight for that which they need at a time
when they are most likely to get it is to
admit that they don't know what the battle
for democracy is all about"
Races Patriotism
Taking up the question of the Negroes
patriotism, Randolph declared that the Ne
gro, in demanding his rights during the
war, would only be unpatriotic II granting
democratic rights to the Negro were
victory of the United Nations. In
stead of hindering the war effort, granting
the Negro his full-hedged rights as Ameri'
can citizens will aid the war effort by con-
solidating national unity. II granting the
Negro his democratic rights is not
against this country's interest since it is
fighting for the very thing Negroes are
demanding, then the Negroes fight fol-
democracy is not against the country's in
terests. It doesn't make sense for one tc
contend that it is not to the interests OF
the country for that which Is proper and
democratic, Just and fair for the country
to give. Is it wrong for a baby to cry for
milk because it may disturb the household
though it is to the interest Of the house
hold for the baby to live2
Negroes, moreover" he added, ARE not
challenged to be loyal to the Government
and democracy. The Government is chal-
lenged to be loyal to the Negro and democ-
racy.
1T is the solemn obligation of the Ne.
gro," he went on, ito meet this issue Of
fighting for his democratic rights now
without hesitation or equivocation.
Better that the Negro face extermina-
ton than the life of insult, humiliation
and degradation"
Turning to the Communists, Randolph
charged them with Historically calling
upon Negroes to forget their grievances
and abandon their fight for their demo.
cratic rights. They want only a second
front for the salvation of Soviet Russia, y
he asserted.
while It Is to the interests Of America
and the Negro that Russia defeat hitler
Negroes" Randolph declared, will no;
permit the Communists of Russia or the
Communists of America, who take theiI
orders from Russia, to tell them what tc
do about the problem of the Negro in
America.
This new line of Communists on the
Negro makes them allies Of Talmadge in
Georgia"
Randolph was presented the medal by
Bishop ]. A. Gregg Of Kansas City, Kansas