The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-04-14

means a definite championlng OF
the rights of Negroes, among other
things. because the Negro is so
sinned against. Disseminated
against.
Far too frequently has II hap
pened that wheh>a-white man in
America champions the cause Of
the common man-which must
necessarily include the Negro
he Is walked up the steps Of the
guillotine and his head chopped
off.
WITNESS the fate OF Henry
Wallace at the Democratic Con-
vention in Chicago last July. Wall
Lace had become the symbol Of
liberalism. He had been fortnight
N his statements and actions where
the rights Of Negroes 10 participate
IN all the benefits Of democracy
were concerned. At the convention,
knowing he was on the spot for his
liberal ideas. he walked. nevertne-
less. into the lions den. stuck his
head into the lions mouth, and
proceeded 10 twist the lions tail.
HIS now famous equal opportu-
nifty, and poll-tax must go" speech
vas delivered with a ringing sin.
cerl,y. The lion bit of his head.
Cnde,erred. Wallace pursued the
same course even after his defeat
for a place on the Democratic ticket
as running MAZE to Roosevelt. And
again. when his name came before
the Senate for confirmation as Sec
rotary Of Commerce, he was ma
hgned, mailed and mangled. To his
everlasting credit, his head though
bloody. has never bowed. But there
are so few who could come through
the same experience without Civ.
ING up the ghost
THEN. there was Aubrey Will.
liams. His administration OF the
National Youth Administration. UNI
der which Negro boys and girls got
their first real break for training
in skilled industrial occupations,
branded him as a Negro-lover in
the eyes Of Bilbo and his ilk. His
efforts TO organize the small farm.
ers. including Negro farmers.
reused the ire Of the Farm Bureau
Federation. His favorable attitude
toward the FEPC stamped him as
a liberal and progressive.
The recent castigation Of Auu..y
Williams by reactionary element
in the Senate OF the United States
when his name came before them
for confirmation as President
Roosevelt's appointee for the posi-
ton OF Administrator Of the Rural
Electrifcation Administration is
still fresh in our minds. Williams,
like Wallace. will not bow his head.
But the pattern IL clear. 10 Is
not new. Clarke Foreman. Nathan
Straus. and many others felt the
axe because they were openly
liberal.
SUCH A PROCEDURE puts the
fear OF the Devil into hearts OF
lesser men than Wallace and Will
liams. Liberals who have vulner-
able spots IN their backbones are
likely 10 say 10 themselves; Why
should | stick my neck out for the
common manufacturing Negroes
when ] can sail along on smooth
waters by just keeping quiet and
conforming 10 CUSTOM
Then along comes the testimonial
10 Justice Black. He has reached
the pinnacle OF success in the ju-
dietary. He is respected. He is ac-
claimed. His championing OF the
cause Of the common man has not
harmed him. II is a tonic 10 the
less courageous II is a boon TO the
cause OF liberalism and progressiv-
ism. II is timely.
Let us hope that those who may
have quavered in their RESPONSE
bilities 10 ALL Americans in their
positions Of public trust will take
heart and fear not Though they
may not rate the acclaims OF a
Justice Black. they can know that
all America will not turn from
them IL they but consistently fight
fka aA0J Aobt