Arizona sun., 1946-05-31
Political Council
(Continued from PAGE IL

squares" Many sophomeric SIM
pletons crate upon academic politi-
cal theories. They may have mas
tered the principles of Civil Gov
ernment." They may speak wisely
and enthusiastically about "democ-
racy," but they could not, for the
life of themselves, tell what Con-
gressional District they live in, nor
could they inform anyone as to the
number of votes in their block or
anything accurate about the regis
tration and the forces of influ-
ence and control within their vot-
ing precincts. They do not under
stand what makes the voting ma
chine tick.
Theodore Roosevelt d e clar d
wisely, when running for the Gov
ernorship of New York, "The good
people of this commonwealth do
not take an active part in poll
tics" Among colored citizens, we
have noted that most of the edu-
Gated and informed have deemed
politics a dirty business, and have
haughtily refrained from active
participation. But they have been
confounded when confronted with
infringement upon their sacred
preserves, when they found dens
| and dives near their homes and
they learned that they had to deal
with the politician, when their
taxes mounted, and they sought
cut, they discovered their duly
elected representatives" Hi g h
brows have been compelled to
deal with '1ow brows," peanut pol
iticians, when in need of small ia
vors for themselves. They have
witnessed the power in politics,
but, they, by their neglect, have
secured little part of it. 1t is an
admitted fact that in the complex
problem of living in this land, that
you must know somebody. 1t is a
maxim in American life, that "it is
not what you know, but whom you
know" Translated into simple
understanding, you must have en-
tree to some politician with power.
There is power in politics. We
have been on the scene when col
ored ward leaders have warned
white judges that they would be
defeated if they did not vote
straight" We have witnessed Con-
gresSmen harried and bulldozed by
under-cover vice lords, who con-
trolled several thousand votes. We
hox,o cot ~ oro ozoYoonf ond coon
the colored liking makers" in ac-
ton. Without them, no successful
slate of candidates could be elect
ed. Thousands of colored Ameri-
cans have observed power politics
in action within their own baili-
wickS.
Now then, as new day dawnS
| upon the political horizon, what is
the new generation going to do?
Obviously, there lies ahead, the
chance for new blood to get wise
and gather strength and necessary
dynamics. Jobs are to be gained
by skillful manipulation of voting
minorities. American politics have
long been operated by the spoils
and patronage system. To the VIC
tors go the jobs. Here challenge
is hurled to the colored American
youth. Will the same old systems
of operation be tolerated? Are the
uninformed and unlettered to be
forever permitted to marshal and
count the votes? Who is to sally
forth and destroy these wicked
and archaic methods?
Those who will soon leave the
colleges and high schools will be
faced with entrenched interests,
but vulnerable and highly respon-
sive to strong and intelligent pres
sure. There never was a fuller
opportunity for young Americans
of color to acquire power and in
fluence in shaping the affairs of
the country and to gain more free
dom and liberty for their people"