Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-07-21
SPIRES OF THE SPIRIT
The Whole Truth
BY DIR. FREDERICK BROWN HARRIS
Chaplain of the United States Senate

In courts OF law witnesses
are sworn to tell the truth.
But that solemn promise does
not go far enough. Telling
but a part of the total truth
may amount to telling an I'M
truth and so the one upon the
witness stand is enjoined to
tell the whole truth. How
often in this chaotic day the
ardent advocates of some
cause seek to win support by
lifting up before those they
would convince and convert
only a part of the total pic
ture.
Without attempting to re-
flute any Of the quite war
ranted accusations regarding
certain factors in our present
ailing social order, there is
more to be said than just the
fervent charges Of the prose-
cution. Always we need to
hear also the devils advocate
for the accused. That is to
say, even well-sustained
accusations do not cover the
whole truth.
Take for instance the mat
ter of Western colonization.
Often colonizers set up lad
ders by which backward ma
tons could at least reach the
first stages Of civilized hui
mainly. In India, for instance,
the English fulfilled their
responsibility for feeding and
the prevention Of famine by a
network Of railroads and by
vast irrigation schemes. 1t
was the British imperialists
who, unawares, put the yeast
of independence deep into the
Indian and African dough
which ultimately drove them
out.
Bishop Gerald Kennedy Of
the Methodist Church in his
recent book, while I'm on
My Feet" speaking of his OBJ
servations as a world traveller,
says: Talk as you will about
the baneful effects Of coloni-
cation, you cannot but admire
much Of what Great Britain
did for her African colonies.
They brought roads, public
buildings, schools and a
trained civil service. Indeed,
I heard one African govern
ment official who complained
that his country had not had
the advantages Of colonial
experience" In bringing our
indictments today against
colonialiSm let us be sure to
get the whole truth.
Again, the question Of
equal opportunity for those,
who since their emergence
from slavery have been
thought of as second-class
citizens, is being eagerly dis
cussed universally. The dis
lance yet to be gained is a
vital part Of the truth-but
it Is not the whole truth!
That has to do with the
amazing progress in Ameri-
can democracy Of this once
enslaved race. In his recent
book, ION the Road for
Uncle SAM" joey Adams,
leader Of an entertainment
group, back from performing
for millions in Asia, tells an
exciting story of how America
is regarded by emerging
people half a world away.
At press conferences hecklers
pelted the group with ques-
lonesome friendly, some
hostile. In such a gathering
in India a leftist Stooge tried
for an embarrassing headline
by asking the four Negro
members Of the team, How
does it feel to be a Negro in
the USA?"
Now it happened that these
four colored singers were a
quartet of dedicated YankS,
more so than ever by what
they had seen in other parts
of the world. The four
Negroes joined in the reply.
Here Is a combination of
what they said: Listen, pal,
outside Of Heaven there's
only one place I want to be,
and that's in the USA. Ever
hear of a guy called Joe
I,0IIiSo He WAS a Naor0 oIlt