The Miami times., 1952-08-09
CIVIL RIGHTS POLITICS

Ihe Democratic convention in Chicago performed
really spectacular acrobatcs in trying to keep its
rights wing and its civrghts wing moving in the same
direction Now political observers asking whether the
convention has aenated both the white supremacy vote
in the South and the Negro vote in the North
Mos4outherners don't like the civl-rights plank and
some OF them are maneuverng to support opposition
tcke In November Spokesman for Negro groups in the
North are saying that they accept Senator
SparKman the Democratic nominee for Vice President
& ne Strategsts feeling the need to win dss
dent Democrats look hopefully to both groups They will
do well not to count unmatched votes.
For there are nuances and complications in this sit
uatlo Ihe Souherners while especially responsive to the
appeal of General Eisenhower find several difficulties in
the way of opposition to their national ticket The
Democratic convention carefully avoided kickino them
out; they bolt it will have to be on their own power
victory by the Republicans would knock many leaders ont
OF congressional committee chairmanships and other
places OF power on the national stage
In the North the young Turks" of the Democratic
afy are dlsgTuned But they will be striving desperate
y to hold the Negro vote For they consider decisive
1ney declare that it can tip the scales in a dozen
HortAern states they it would enable them to take
New New York and Michigan, which they lost in 1948 and
nese would more than outweigh all the southern states
likely to be lost by strong civil-rights position
Most of the civrights talk centers on compulsory
federal fair employment practices commission The plat
form carpenters in both parties carefully walked all
around the definite FEPC initials but that is the main
Legislative goal of the cvilrghters Actually both sides
ndSgng in great deal of political shadowboxing ON
the question For it is extremely unlikely that either party
will push through compulsory federal law in the next
Tour years Politicians are using support of the plan for
vote bait in the North and opposition to it for vote bait
in the@South.
Northern advocates point state FEPC laws as proof
of prcaity Southern opponents point out that even in
e noTtheEp states the laws really enforced in
few places there full equality of opportunity employ
ment Where steps have been taken improve the Ne
groes position has mainly been by and pub
licity.
Furthermore, many congressman outside the South
know that success with state law assurance of
cess with federal law. For the very heart of this prob
lem Is the attitude of people nvolved-in both races
Many Negroes know that the talk of a compulsory
federal law is and deusion. Many of them are
more concerned about segregation which in several
spects has become acute problem in the North than
IN the South is quite possible that of them have
been attracted to the Democratic Party by New Deal
Cial legislation than by any oivA-rights promises
Certainly the politics of civil rights is full of uncer-
tainS this year The southern picture will be clear
fer at least month In the North the Negro may be
AS the Negroes realize how unlikely major FEPC leg
isaton is they will make their choices other issues
which concern all ctzens-Christian Science Monitor