The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1950-10-26
Record In Congress
Is Best Evidence
An interview with
Prentis |. Frazier

risen above the plane of OPP
preston that was assigned to
his people by discriminatory
laws, and who has made a sue
cess of his private affairs des-
pite prejudice, intolerance, OPP
preston and the terrific handi-
cap of his race, challenges the
democrats on their record. He
asserts that the democratoc
party is the historic oppressor
Of his people.
In a statement loaded with
historic facts, Frazier says the
democratic record on legisla-
ton for civil rights is one of I'M
consistency and trickery.
For seventeen years III e
democratic party has been en-
gagged in shadow boxing about
civil rights" Frazied charg-
ed. Their evasion Of the fair
employment practices | a W,
their failure to abolish poll
tax, and the traditional evas-
ion of a law to prevent lynch
ing, indicts the democratic par
ty with a quality of biggotry
which places that party in a
position where it has no right
to expect support from minor
ity groups
The outstanding Negro lead
er, speaking for his oppressed
people, went on to say, "In
many sections of the country
Jews and Negroes are proscrib-
ed. Even in Seattle, this con-
dition exists in some quarters.
This is notably true in the dem
ocratic refusal to give Negroes
and Jews appointive political
jobs. The same criticism APP
plies to the treatment of other
minority groups, who are also
taboo in democratic circles.'
1t is true, Frazier continued,
"That the same quality of in
tolerance exists against other
groups in other sections of the
country. Catholics are taboo
in some quarters, while in 9TH
T the prescription applies to
Protestants. All Of this is a
grave wrong. 1t it a cruel de-
gree of unfairness and Unjust
Ice. | hope it will come to an
early end.'
Citing sp celtic instances
where these practices have oc-
Cured, the keen and penetrat-
ing Indictment by Frazier goes
on to point out that the ''demo-
cratic orators are putting out a
lot of bally-hoo about protect
ing the rights If minority
groups. The democratic posi-
ton is one of insincerity. They
have engaged in a gigantic con-
fidence game since 1882.
This will no longer succeed in
deceiving intelligent Negroes,
Frazier argues. Pretending
to be the friends of minority
groups, the democrats have
failed to enact legislation to
enfranchise the southern Ne
groes. The democratic leaders
speak with a forked tongue.
Out of one side of their mouth
they give us the Judas Kiss,
but out of the other side they
utter invective. With on
hand they pat us upon the back
and with the other they cozen
us. We dislike this affront to
our intelligence. 1t offends our
self-respect."
The official record discloses
that in 1896 there were three
democrats in congress for each
republican. "Loaded with this
top-heavy majority" Frazier
continued, "the democrats had
many opportunities to enact
legislation which would protect
the rights of minorities."
1t would have been a simple
matter, Frazier explained, for
the democratic high command
to "enact legislation which
would protect the rights of mi
nority groups. The democrats
failed in this opportunity"
In the present congress ''the
democrats have SO more mem
bers than republicans. If the
democrats are sincere Fraz-
Ter continued, "they could now
enact civil liberties legislation.
Thus they continue to fail"
Stern, but dignified in his ar
raignment of the foes of his
people, Frazier asserts. "The
truth is that the democratic
party is the nartv that killad