Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1953-07-10
NAACP Made A Mistake

This newspaper cannot accept Walter Whites explanation
10 william Cratic Minneapolis NAACP president, for the in
vaon Governor Harold StaSen to speak at the
cent national meeting Of the NAACP in st. Louis People in
Minnesota that Harold Sassen while refused
a committee from the st. Paul NAACP the organization
which helps pay Mr. Whites salary We also know that he did
demonstrate any real interest Ia the solving Of the Amcr
problem up the time he became candidate for the
Republican nomination for president Even then when he
forced to take position he simply mouhed pous meaningless
pAtitudes.
As late ~ the last Dewey campaign for the presidency
saSe few days before the 1913 election assured white
South Caonnn that his party respected the DSecra posi-
ton civil rights
In all Of staSsens record there has been single in
stance from the time he student at the University Of
Minnesota until he given the appointment Of Mutual Sc
cury Administrator by President Eenhowerwhieh would
have entitled him TO grace the platform Of national NAACP
convention.
II the excuse was that the NAACP wanted 10 show IL
was nonparSan M Il should b. there are two dozen Re.
pubiicana some the Eisenhower cabinet who have
cords which would have entitled them 10 the honor Of ap
psaring before the NAACP.
This paper has nothing personal against Sassen and al
mes certain abilities Of HIS but IL has had any respect
for his sincerity record the question This position
Is the held by such staunch Minnesota Negro Re
publican Raymond W. Cannon Minneapolis attorney who
has had to tell the real SaCn record TO 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 Stasscn the cor Phil
adcphA convention In lols because he KNEW Sassen and
he KNEW his record and he didn't bite his telling how
Harold stood with Minnesota Negroes,
II Walter White or whoever arranged for speakers did not
know Sasscn record they should have before he program
med TO speak In Difference to the heavy support which the
NAACP gets from Minnesota would that IL the MACE
write for money when needs from Minnesota could
very well ask about politicians who hail from this
whom they extend privilege. Roy wilkins a
national official In the NY office who halls originally from
Minnesota available also sure for any background
on stHSScn that program makers needed.
The Minnesota NAACP Conference and the branches are
of course disturbed about the SaSen invitation and well may
they be Both the branches and the should
tell Executive Secretary White just how they feel about
entire matter.
Mr., Stassen Is probably IN, personally with Mr. White
but that does automatically make him paatabc
groes back here In Minnesota II does make him suitable,
speaker az NAACP national convention whose slogan
down with all segregation the T. = slogan with
which Mr. SaSscus past record does indicate his sym
pathetic.
speaker at q national meeting Of the NAACP obtains
forum Of Importance the minute he placed the pro
gram. The NAACP force Ia national life and politics canno
afford TO allow any politician who docs up well
aims Of the organization utilize that forum The minute
does let down the bars nSnccrc individuals the benefit
NAACP prestige future campaigns when they
do truly subscribe the principles Of the organization
This newspaper In a sorehead about SaSSen The min
IL convinced that SaSsen has changed his and
joined the Youngdah Humphrey Thyc Anderson Peterson
contingent In supporting human rights in America will b.
the first give him credit Until that time every time
organization like the NAACP makes the mistake Of honorns
him when he does deserve it, going point the
facts