St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1953-07-10
NAACP Made A Mistake


This newspaper cannot accept Walter Whites explanation
to William Cratic Minneapolis NAACP president for the in
vtaon Harold Sassen speak at the
cent national meeting Of the NAACP in st Louis People IN
Minnesota know that Harold Stassen while refused
committee the 81 Paul NAACP the organization
which helps pay Mr. White salary We also that he did
any interest In the solving Of the Amer
problem up the time he became candidate for the
Republican nomination for president Even then when he was
forced TO take position he simply meuthed ious meaningless
patudes.
As late the last Dewey campaign for the presidency
sassen few days before the 1913 election, assured white
South Caonians that his party respected the Dxecrat posi-
ton civil rights
In all Of Stasscn record there has not been single in
stance from the time he student at the University OF
Minnesota until he given the appointment of Mutual Sc
curity Administrator by President Esenhowerwhich would
have entitled him TO the platform of national NAACP
convention.
II the that the NAACP wanted to show it
nonpartisan should be- there two dozen Re-
publicans, in the Eisenhower cabinet who have
cords which would have entitled them honor ap.
pearing before the NAACP.
This paper nothing personal against Sassen and nd
mres certain abilities of his but ii has had any respect
for his sincerity record the question This position
is the held by such saunch Minnesota Negro Re
publican Raymond W Cannon Minneapolis attorney who
had tell the ea Stassen thousands of people
throughout the country who felt that because Of Sassen
youth and the fact that he halls from Minnesota made him
ok the question Cannon killed any chance of any
Negro national delegate support for Sassen at the COP Phil
adelphia convention in 9ls because he KNEW Sassen and
he KNEW his record and he didn't bite his tongue telling how
Harold stood with Minnesota Negroes,
II Walter White whoever arranged for speakers did
know Sassns record they should have before he program
med speak In Difference the heavy support which the
NAACP gets from Minnesota it would that if the NAACP
write for money when 1t needs from Minnesota it could
very well ask about politicians who hail this
whom they want to extend privilege Roy wilkins
national official in the NY office who halls originally
Minnesota available also sure for any background
on Stassen that program makers needed
The Minnesota NAACP Conference and the branches are
of course disturbed about the Stascn invitation and well may
they be- Both the branches and the conference should
tell Executive Secretary White just how they feel about the
entire matter.
Mr. StaSsen is probably Ok personally with Mr. White
but that does not automatically make him paaabe the Ne
back here in Minnesota II does make him suitable
down with all segregation in the u s slogan with
which Mr. stasens past record does indicate his sym
pathetic.
speaker at national meeting Of the NAACP obtains a
forum Of Importance the minute he placed on the pro
gram The NAACP force in national life and politics cannot
afford 10 allow any politician who not measure up well 70
aims Of the organization 20 utilize that The minute it
does let down the bars Sncere individuals get the benefit
NAACP prestige in future campaigns even when they
do not truly subscribe 10 the principles of the organization
This newspaper in sorehead about Stassen The min
ute it convinced that Sassen has changed ways and has
joined the Youugdah Humphrey Thye Anderson Peterson
contingent in supporting human rights America il will be
the first give him credit Until that time every time some
organization like the NAACP makes mistake Of honornp
him when he does deserve going to point out ,he
facts