The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-06-17
Willkie-
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der The circumstances existing to-
day. only by a Federal statute elm
mating state pol. taxes and other
arbitrary prohibitions against the
free exercise OF the voting franchise:
the other only by Federal statute
making the crime OF lynching try
able in Federal courts and punish
able by Federal law.
The Republican Party in its plat
form and in the declarations of its
candidates should commit itself un-
equivocally and specifically 10 Fed
eral snu-poN tax and anti-lynching
statutes.
REJECTS ARGUMENTS
The Negro people OF the United
States underStsndsoly refuse 10 ac-
cept the technical arguments against
clOture in the debates on snti-poll
tax and snti-lynching bills. or even
the sincere claims OF constitutional
.sn which prevent such just meas
ures from becoming law.
And the very fact that the Repub-
lican Party was the fundamentally
through which the Negroes were
gwen freedom makes them the more
resenitul that Il should join in acts
which prevent them from obtaining
the substance OF freedom.
No one who has not stopped see
;ng and thinking could have missed
the events Of the last few years that
have drawn together 1900, 900
A7-e-icans one-;enth OF the ma
ton - into a determined purpose
f.. un!:.
SERVICE HUMILIATION
In tia; time Negroes have known
the bitter humiliation Of seeing
their men and women, eager 10
serve n the nations armed forces.
excluded from some branches OF the
service or often relega,ed 10 mental
Jobs in the branches 10 which they
have been admitted They have wit
messed the ugly and tragic results
OF race hatred and riots.
They have known the brief secur-
ity of good jobs a, decent wages
while they help was needed 10 make
the tools OF war. only 10 be filed
with deep anxiety for fear that in
I the REIMBURSEMENT OF peace they Will
be shuffled of into unemployment
and poverty.
Millions OF them distrust the
! Democratic Party which for years
has deprived the Negro OF his rights
10 vote IN Atlanta while seeking his
/ vote as friend OF his race in Har-
| lem.
NEED REAL ASSURANCE
But In view Of the economic ad-
vanceS and social gains which have
come 10 Negroes during the last IL
years, they will not leave that party
for vague assurances of future ac-
| ton expressed in pious platitudes
I or for a 1914 version Of the states
/ rights doctrine.
Negro leaders are alert and edu-
Gated and sophisticated. They know
that their problem is a part OF the
worldwide struggle for human free
dom For their people they ask only
| their rights - rights 10 which they
are entitled. The Constitution does
! not provide for first and second
class citizens.
They are entitled TO the same op-
portunity to acquire an education
an education of the same quality -
as that given 10 other citizens.
They should receive the same per
capita expenditure Of public moneys
for schools, housing. health and hos
pltallzation as IS allotted TO other
citizens.
Their right TO work must equal
that OF any citizen and their reward
should be the same as the reward
OF any other citizen for the same
| job.
NO COLOR LIMITATION
| Their economic opportunity
should not be limited by their color
And last, they should have the
right OF every citizen to fight for
his country in any branch of her
armed services without discrimina-
ton and with equality OF oppor-
| tunity.
Republicans should see to it tina,
he gets them. For all Of these reas-
enable demands are consistent with
the very principles upon which the
Republican Party was founded.
All OF them are part Of the free.
dom for which men of every color
and race are dying. Our adoption
or rejection OF them will be the ties,
OF our sincerity and OF our moral
leadership in the eyes Of hundreds
OF millions all over the world.