The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1954-02-13

II IS HCtlng that We as Ci-
tizens, examine our Conscience"
Bishop Fulton Sheen
ABE LINCOLN'S Birthday was
quietly observed this week. The
Republicans still claim Lincoln
while weakening in his princi-
ples) and the Democrats are
beginning to claim Lincoln with
lar better title. But the ma
ton has refused to grant holi-
day honors. We have been
afraid to offend those who up
held slavery and still oppose
equal rights. This has made
our Truth" crusades and Lin
coin Day speeches sound very
nat. It's poor politics.
THE EMANCIPATOR should
be sylnbolized boldly and cele-
brated with huge national holi-
day paradeS and freedom de-
monstrations by every advocate
OF democracy including capital.
labor, and religion, as well as
all races. This should be a
tremendous show of democratic
unity against slave governments.
But we fear our own conscience.
We fear that many American
citizens do not believe as Lin
coin believed. We fear real de-
mocracy is not wanted by all.
THE IRISH PEOPLE are to
be commended for standing up
bravely for their patron of re-
hgion, st. Patrick. The Italian
people are to be commended
for standing up nobly for their
great pioneer, Christopher Col
umbus. The Irish and Italian
people stage good American de-
monstrations to honor symbols
that are good for democracy.
Federal and state officials who
support such programs are
helping to make better citizens.
TAN YANKS, although de-
serving the same privilege, have
not been granted any author
iEatiOn for either a full or
semi-hOliday observance of a
single colored man whose life
inspired good democracy. There
are several worthy candidates,
including Alexander Hamilton,
Fred Douglass, Crispus Attacks,
Booker T. Washington, Mon
roe TrOtter, to name a few.
But no Congress has holiday
hOnOred a single one. Not one
cOlOred American.
HISTORY WEEK pioneers are
building the foundations for
some national and perhaps
international recognition of
great colored leaders. This
groundwork" was actually
started here in New England
by a small and courageous
group of sepia citizens affiliated
with Trotter's Boston Guardian
and Equal Rights League. The
first successful project was res
cuing from obscurity the name
CrispuS Attucks. That was over
so years ago.
BIG PARADEs in Boston,
New York, Chicago, st. Louis,
Los Angeles and other large
American cities will someday
honor either Attacks, Douglass,
or some other great Tan Yank
who helped build this nation.
Being less controversial Tin
DiXie), the New England Pat
riot CrispuS Attucks might we'll
become the first Of color to gain
holiday honor. But whoever is
chosen, it will be a boost to
sepia patriotism, and inspira-
ton to all.
SOME CRITICS mot all in
the South decry the efforts Of
Colored Americans to become
equality First Glass Citizens.
They resent any claws against
intolerance, and complacently
contend that colored citizens
wait a few million years (who
should live so longD before
asking an equal chance for
Civil Rights or chance to earn
ones daily bread. They say
a change will hurt feelings, cost
pride, require some sacrifice.
HONEST ABE answered this
argument. Speaking of racial OPP
presstiOnS he said: If God
now wills the removal Of a
great wrong, and also wills
that we of the North as well
as the South shall pay dearly
for our completely in that
wrong, impartial history Will
flnd herein new cause TO attest
and revere the justice and