Arkansas State press., 1951-04-13
this
day and age
To All The World, Forevermore
BY Clyde o. jackson, City Editor


career" My reply was the names of four individuals in wide
variety of fields
My father who proved to me- through his life that
thrift humbleness and sincere faith in God
succeeding in life than all the education and contact
in the world
Carlo the careful study of whose life years ago
enabled to partially serious maady of
version Carlo, the greatest inover of them ALL spite of
her handicap from obscty in Sweden to become the
greatest actress of our time
William L. Dawson uhe musician) whose teachings
dear old Tukegee endowed with understanding and
probation of music had known and without which
should find than difficult face life in of its
"unbearable moments"
William L. Patterson whose life story of sacrifice and
vaor like those of Crspts Aucks W. B. Dubois and Paul
Robeson showed that belief in principles and courage
stand up for your convictions survive all manner of pese
cuton.
Mr. Patterson is presently facing contempt charges in
Washington. You doubt familiar with the incident of
few months ago. which time he vcousy cursed and
attacked by Negotiating dspcabe congressman from the
south when he showed up the attaeker lyncher from
ncher Much has been said various persons from all
walks of life including this writer concerning this incident,
but somehow have the feeling that Roscoe Dunee publisher
of the Oklahoma BackDispate sumed up better than any
of the others when he commented 1T took bold
Mr. Patterson and Lanham the lynoe In
this instance Lanham sought to lynch both Negro and the
truth What need more in public life who have the
stand where and when of leadership
falers.'
an from life Of Mr. Patterson. Read
it and judge for yourself:
William L. Patterson born in San Francisco, Au-
gust 81 1891 He worked railroad trains factories and
school of the University California After graduation
and trip abroad he returned to New York work
ongshoreman before becoming clerk in law office.
Eventually striking his he helped found the
office of Dya Hall and Patterson, which became
of the successful in the city
But in 1927 when two Italian workers in Massa-
clusetts being railroaded execution
frame-up Patterson dropped his oursng law practice
himself of the world wide defense
modified around the innocent Working tirelessly
lynch atmosphere whipped up by the city officials and
newspapers the defenders fought in the face of police
brutality and threats of mob violence. Patterson
When he returned to New York Patterson resigned
from his law firm and offered his services the Inena
ona Labor Defense, organization dedicated to defend
ing the victims of legal" frame-ups.
Eventually Patterson to the position of lid
national secretary at moment in history when the most
vicious of these frameups aroused the conscience of the
world In Alabama Negro youths had been framed
perured testimony for alleged Sentence Death
There followed life and death struggle the LID and
Patterson fought prevent the legal lynoling Of the
Scottsboro boys
AS all the world knows the fight was successful
Arousng intense indignation and worldwide protest the
LID modified the forces of the people in action But Pat
ersons work only beginning There followed period
of intense activity in dozens of antilabor, ant-Negro
ameups. In the Tom Mooney 1882 he took Moth
Mooney President Roosevelt
But in 1894 the strain of overwork finally told; Pat
srckened with tuberculosis. He spent three
years abroad returned the U. s. ready plunge
the battle for civil rights After working in Chicago
for time he organized and became assistant director of
the Abraham Lincoln school, notable experiment in
higher education for working people
When the Civil Rights Congress formed in 1916 to
the work of the LID Patterson became national
board member In 198 he became national executive
and Immediately led series of defenses which help
ed bring the attention of the world number of infamous
frame-ups.
In letter last week, Mr.. Patterson had this say
about his forthcoming trial:
II shall try bring the violation of the section of the
Fourteenth Amendment the Constitution of the United
States before the American people in such way to make
for the Negro people and democracy loving Americans
in the fight make the Constitution shield for those whe
spect human dignity and ready to grant constitutional
liberties all mpartially."
The failing of William L. Patterson could curai his
great He has fought hard and long He has be-
immortal The of William L. Patterson destined to
all the bitter struggling heroic
fighting for place in the Of little everywhere Long
after he died buried long his will
have been banhed from the earth his memory and his life
will serve inspiration guiding light to all the
world, forevermore!