The Wilmington morning star., 1943-07-12
Broughton Points Way
To Future OF Negroes

I'VE are striving in North Car
olina to give the Negro equal pro-
lection under the law, equal edu-
cational advantages, the full bene-
fits of public health, agricultural
advancement, decent housing con-
ditions, and full and free econom-
ic opportunity. This is our honest
purpose and it is being carried
out. This is the assured path to-
ward racial harmony and prog
ress," vernon J. Melville
Broughton said late Sunday after
noon at the launching OF the S. S.
John Merrick, Hath Liberty ves-
sci built by the North Carolina
Shipbuilding company.
At the launching ceremonies,
and at the Brotherhood Day rally
held in Central Baptist church
earlier in the afternoon, the chief
executive of the state cited the
following efforts in behalf of Ne
gro welfare, many of which rep
resent works achieved during his
administration: l. nine months
schools for Negroes, as well as
whites, with free transportation
and textbooks: 2. supplementing
salaries of Negro teachers by
more than s1,oOO,Oo0; 8. improve
ments in the North Carolina col
lege for Negroes and elevation of
the institution to accredited "A"
standing; 4. developments in 9TH
er Negro educational institutions;
5. the construction of home for
delinquent Negro girls, project
soon to begin operation.
"These things have been accom-
plished by harmonious cooperation
and mutual respect as between
the two races, and not by listen
ing to agitators, who in the guise
of seeking economic opportunity
for the Negro, would flout estab-
lished and mutually respected
conventions ana traditions, which
cannot in this state, now or ever,
be obliterated, the governor said.
He denounced individuals in GER
tain quarters, ''including the ma
tional capital" who are seeking to
use the war emergency to advance
racial antagonism." ''We will be
working together harmoniously
long after the agitators have gone, ="
the governor declared.
Tribute was paid by Governor
Broughton to the leadership of
John Merrick, for whom the ship
was named, North Carolina Negro
born during slave days in Colum-
bus county, who became the found
er of the North Carolina Mutual
Life Insurance company, largest
insurance company in the world
run by and for Negroes. The Mer-
rick is the first Liberty ship built
in North Carolina to be named for
Negro.
The vessel was sponsored by
Martha Merrick Donnel, of Dur
ham. daughter of the Negro lead
er: her attendants were Martha
Williams Wheeler, matron of hon
or. and Ida Constance Merrick,
maid of honor, both of Durham,
Hazel Scott, of Washington, D. c.,
matron of honor, and the wives OF
shipyard employees James Gordon,
Jerry McGhee, Charles Sparrow,
and George Judge, all of Whining
ton.
C. C. Spaulding, president of the
North Carolina Mutual Life In
surance company, who spoke prior
to the governor, declared that the
launching was lone of the high
lights of my life," and lauded the
accomplishment of his former CO.
worker in the insurance firm.
! In a message at the Brother
hood Day rally, DR.. Spaulding pied
for racial harmony, told his peo-
ple that they must Tighten up
on their efforts, asked them to be
self-respecting citizens, condoned
the governors work-or- fright edict,
and begged Negroes to invest in
war bonds. 'There are too many