The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1947-11-08

freedom and tyranny"
/ ATTY. GEN. TOM CLARK
PRESIDENT HARRY S. TRU-
MAN is still being toasted by
minority groups from coast to
coast for initiating and approx
ing the special CIVIL RIGHTS
COMMITTEE REPORT TO THE
NATION, a ITS page document
which will undoubtedly be known
as one of the greatest petitions
for DEMOCRACY in all our en-
tire U. S. history
ATTY. GEN. TOM CLARK,
speaking in Boston before the
National Association of Attor-
neys General at Hotel Statler,
gave a two-day advance opening
for the Truman Committee Re-
port. OF the NAACP petition to
U. N. he said: IT was Inundated,
as know you must have been,
to realize that in our America
there was the slightest founda-
ton for such a petition
|
THE LIBERAL TEXAN spoke,
in a sense, in reply to Bay State
Atty. Gen. Clarence Barnes who
opened the meeting by criticiz-
ing too much federal pressure in
state affairs. Atty. Gen, Clark
said that unless the various
STATES got on the ball and
abided by the U. S. Constitution,
the government would take even
stronger controls.
THE BOSTON DECLARATION
by the U. S. Attorney General on
Monday, Oct. q, 1e47. supplied
the opening wedge for the Civil
Rights COMMITTEES recommended
tons of Wed. Oct. 90. 1947 at
Washington. Sim larly, the
NAACP report to the United Ma
lions displayed excellent timing
and HISTORICALLY good judge
ment in forcing the entire issue.
HUB LEGAL gathering of at
torney generals, Oct, q at Hotel
Statler must not be overlooked
in the rapid rush of news. These
are the men who will have much
to do with state and world re-
forms and Atty Gen, Tom Clark
minced no words in telling them
to get busy or else.
STATE ATTORNEYS will hold
the spot in the limelight over a
considerable length of time if
the announced program of re-
forms" is to take place. IN THE
SOUTH, in recent months, we
have seen civil liberty contro-
versies in Georgia and elsewhere
create either heros or buns out
Of state legal interpreters. This
trend will continue. The legal
profession faces crucial deci-
Sions.
| RECONSTRUCTION never did
straighten out our democracy
after 1855 simply because post
war prejudice was allowed to
dictate our domestic policy and
influence our foreign affairs.
Even now after a second world
war, we are on the brink Of a
similar grave mistake unless the
people demand adherance to our
Civil liberties.
CIVIL RIGHTS ACT of 1875
was passed by Congress over 10
years ago, and prohibited race
segregation in hotels, railroad
trains, etc. A biased legal opinion
over-ruled the law; didn't think
it was necessary. Now almost
three quarters Of a CENTURY
later, we find that many Of the
Reconstruction aims we're GOOD
and we DO NEED THEM.
| THIS CRUCIAL PERIOD which
the President of the United
States and the U. s. Attorney
General both publicly agree upon
is a bid for unity Of all citizens.
Our entire future outlook as a
nation fully depends upon our
wisdom. This is a modern re-
construction" and strengthening
Of our democratic foundations at
home. 1t must succeed.
U. S. HISTORY of which I've
always been devoted student
has long called for this strong
declaration of Civil Liberties
| from Washington A brave post
Civil War program would have
eliminated much debt, duplicate
systems, heartbreak and confu-
sions. I've been saying that
along with many others, for II
years as a writer I've often ar
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