The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1942-07-04
American! Ideal! [
Cherished By
Iegross--Seott
Says Voctory
Depends On
Unity Of Spirit
p, EMMETT J. SCOTT

n'' or,d II is nowhere more
..sr,tslv recognized than here In
rS.i.h,ncton. which has become the
r'uItal OF the World.
America has truly become the
.,.rsl Of Democracy. 1t Is sup
s,ring implements of war for Eng
"a 90 russia. China--our Allies
"a Is meeting our own stupendous
needs.
!. are also in the midst OF meet
=, and attempting to solve many
S ~ issues which continue to
W. and 10 threaten our unified
,sorts 10 present united front
a the Axis enemies.
Troublesome Domestic Issues
chiefly these domestic issues are
concerned with initiation, execu-
live and directive functions. fl
rsncinr the cos: OF war, labor
nroblems. Congressional bicker-
Irr. and last, but not least. the
ssor, which still obtains TO keep
Negroes from full participation IN
me war effort.
The stFuggle 10 overcome pres
In, inhibitions has been somewhat
|lorg and bitter. Some concessions
have been made under pressurs,
|hut as compared with needs and
Me- emergencies, the response has
been neglieibly small.
Following in the slow wake OF
Army and Navy administration,
|,nd Departments OF the Federal
Coyernment itself here in WASH
|i,rton ard in the field. great in
|dustrial concerns have defiantly
rsecied the reasoned force OF pub
|llc opinion. the Presidents Com
riuee on Fair Employment Prac-
|fice. and every other pressure
calhng for fair-play, a square deal.
tor III els.000.O00 Colored people
3, the United states, who are citi-
hens of the Republic by mandate
a Constitutional decree. In the
words OF Fortune Magazine,
America Il all the American Ne
/gro knows
lmerican Ideals Are Cherished By
Negro Citizens
The loyalty OF their citizenship
has never been questioned. They
have written many pages OF valor
ind heroism on the records OF the
s. Army and the L. S. Navy.
Ehey have proved their worth and
ihsir courage in the face OF many
tiscouragements and disappoint-
|renis.
They still love America. Its
IDEALS are precious to them. Its
iull opportunities they wish TO
sAFe, The CAPABILITIES OF citizenship
so'cordially granted others thty
wish 10 have accorded them with
out reservation OF any kind or de-
gree whatsoever.
II IS true that the growing
shortage Of man-and-woman power
mas forced some recognition for
Negroes IN Government, and In
Industry, but 1t has not been suf-
icienily powerful completely %
eliminate persistent discrimina-
uons and age-old traditions. All
|'oo-slowly have the doors OF OPP
|Piluniiy been opened. and then
many by token employments.
The democratic tradition OF equal
justice TO all citizens OF the Ma
uon has SO long been In the dis
card that II has been difficult to
restore Il as a keystone OF un-
leIiered democracy.
Appralslng Our Resources
10 our about, total war-offense
Planning, it is now patent that
asFe must be a frank. appraisal
" our resources OF every kind
IeI particularly OF a subjugation
y Ine irrltations which keep one
|tu'h OF our American population
~ 2 critical state OF mind.
Ihese observations concern not
.ae Negro alone, but the safety
sna lae nerpetuity OF America It
sel. rney are interlocked with the
OF American princl-
yes OF Government, and all they
x Ivan as a part OF the deathless
..ssl'ages which have come to us
"om the founders OF the Republic.
ms constant struggle OF the
".sTo 10 establish himself as a
.sliols factor in American life
, ,... be ended. His plight is 80
- hat II is pure patriotism
" cav fer a willing and ungrudS-
A.. abandonment OF every him
s,s. likely 10 interfere with the
, ns..O'y OF American arms, and
va ~" oneness Of spirit which
, n,anphs over racial barriers, and
II,. liz and bigotries OF every
An mi and character.
'ne Nlne-Tenths Must BE Al
~ feaee With Themselves
M. me overall survey OF the Negro
, an published in Fortune Mag
s, ,'" nltingly concluded its dis
,v'...uls,nallng comments with these
\. y, 81 wisdom which need TO
~ =, s,uTned into the consciousness
hs,. nose complacent persons who
v. not yet OWNED the struggle
NE. "a me Consciousness OF all peo-
n. .' .. ~ me world. this war is be
!, .ousnt for and against the idea
co, .selal superiority. Americas
like Christianity is
ma, On the principle that every
a born with the alienable right
wb.,ss quality and opportunity.
'rss Ssaer or not this assumption Is
n !. '',c-we must either stick TO
ro =, enange sides. Anything else
ro~is De not only immoral, u
nsr u be a military mistake. For
,v ,a 10 not die for causes they arc
e ,n,ual about; and they cannot
NV uer on behalf of a principle
- discount That r,nfnnth ~