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FAG» TWO. tBOl CAROLINA TnOES SATURDAY. NOV. 20, 1954 MORE TIME TO DO WRONG The sUte of North Caro lina, through its Attorney General Harry McMullan, has asked the United States Su preme Court to give it more time to do wrong. What tlus sUte actually asked for, in its brief filed with the Court in the decision outlawing pub lic school segregation, is for more time to look down on Negroes as inferior human beings, more time to continue preaching democracy and Christianity without practic ing either. Give us more time to con tinue taxing Negroes without giving them the full benefit of that taxation; give us more time to work them at the most menial tasks for less money and the right to deny them elevation to the better paying jobs. In other words give us more time to con tinue our heinous practice of undermining Negroes of their self-respect, so that we may forever hold them in a po sition of second-class "citizen ship. In its fiendish brief this state further asks the high est tribunial in the nation to step down from its place of respectability and remand to the Circuit Courts the right to say to the world as long as it pleases that the 15 mil lion Negroes in the United States are unfit to associate on an equal plane with the rest of American citizens. That is what the state of North Carolina is asking in this year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fifty-four. In its brief bristling with veiled but definite defiance and threats of “a generation of strife and chaos inside the class room,” it promises that “conflicts in the school room, on the playground, and be tween parents and teachers may lead to racial bitterness in a community and bring to North Carolina the bloody race riots which have dis graced cities and states.” Now what is the record of the Circuit Courts and the District Courts of the South in matters involving the rights of Negroes? In the Clarendon County, South Carolina case, with Justice J. Waites Waring dissenting, the Court ruled that the sep arate “but equal theory did not deny Negro children their constitutional rights. The U. S. Supreme Court rever sed that decision. In the Uni versity of North Carolina law school case Judge John son J. Hayes, predding over the United States p^iddle Dis trict Court of North Carolina ruled that the law school at Nprth Carolina College, in spite of a - preponderance of evidence to the contrary; was substantially equal to that of the University of North Caro lina and therefore Negroes were not entitled to be ad mitted to the UNC law school. The U. S. Supreme Court re versed that decision. Here in Durham where Ne groes have won a decision in the U. S. District Court for separate but equal school facilities, and with a federal injunction hanging over their heads city school officials have deliberately spit in the face of the Court and erected a gymnasium for the white high school that is so far alrave that provided for the Negro high school they should not even be mention^ in the same breath. This presents a glaring example of what to expect if the U. S. Supreme Court is stupid enough to re mand to the lower federal courts the authority to imple ment its ruling in the matter of segregated schools. Again and again the dis trict courts and the circuit courts located in the South and presided over by south erners have refused ^o rule in favor of extending to Negroes equal rights, only to be re versed by the U. S. Su preme Court. The Courts be low whi^n located in the South have most always fol lowed the pattern of southern thinking and discrimination against Negroes and ruled to perpetuate a system that will forever keep the Neno in a category of second-class cit- I izenship. The record will also show that southern legislatures will enact any kind of law in favor of Negroes, with a de finite understanding that they never intend carrying out that law, as in the case of the separate but equal theory when in the Plessy vs. Fer guson case the United States Supreme Court bowed to the will of the South and ruled that separate but equal accommodations in railroad travel was not an infringe ment upon the constitutional rights of Negroes. For 85 long years the race has suffered a most hiuniliating lot as it patiently waited for the white south to put into practice the full meaning of the Court’s ruling. That hour never came. When fully convinced that the South never did intend to implement the ruling the Ne groes resorted to the courts for a remedy. It was only when the federal courts be gan to hand down decisions favoring admitting N^roes to white schools did the South make any move in the direc tion of implementing the equal part of the Separate but equal theory. Attorney General McMul lan, along with other attor neys general, ift his feverish and abortive attempt to find a way out of extending to Ne groes their full rights as citi zens in North Carolina, has made the stupid si^gesti that the Supreme Court of the United States do the ridiculous by handing down a ruling to fit one part of the nation and another to fit the other. In other words he has asked the Court to permit the South to continue segre gated schools while abolish ing them elsewhere in the na tion. Or may be the Court should rule that segregated schools in border states be abolished before they are int the deep south. We hold that if the Su preme Court capitulates to this unchristian and undemo cratic demand and remands to the lower courts the pow er to implement integration it will embark the South up on an era of subterfuge, hypo crisy and decit the like of which has not been seen in this country before. The matter of extending equality to Negroes trancends any idea the South or any other part of the nation may have about the matter. The position of the United States as a citadel of democracy and the leader of free people makes it mandatory that this country say to the world that on the hallowed soil of this nation no man or woman will be upheld who looks down on another human being because of his race, creed or color. Be fore eternal God we cannot, we must not indulge in the extravagjince of racial dis crimination when the eyes of two billion and a half colored peoples are upon us. We cannot afford the indulgence even though the Negro in America submits, lest we bring down upon our heads further scorn apd contempt for the democratic way of life. The little, shortsighted and stupid men among us who sto only the crumbling of their false god of racial superior ity, must be made to under stand that stopping the on ward march of communism is more important to America than who is going to sit be side one’s child in a class room. What sensible men in America are trying to do now is to have assurance that our posterity be they white, black, brown or yellow will have a world in which to live as free men or not at all. Give us more time is the cry of North Carolina and the rest of the South as they stand before the United States Supreme Court. Let us handle our own segregation problem. We stand upon the principle of state’s right, thw cry. GIVE US MORETIME! More time to do wrong! Ah, but it might be later than we think. PROMOHNG DMCIiACY IHE RIGHT WAY From Phoenix, Arizona comes the report that the students of Phoenix South Mountain High School, a unit of the Phoenix high schools and college system, have ac cepted integration in the fin est American spirit of democ-> racy. In contrast to what oc- curired in Milford, Dela ware, when Negro students were admitted to the high school in that city, the white students extended a hand of welcome ^ to the Negro stu dents coming into their school and invited them to parti cipate in all extra-curricular activities, including sports and social affairs. We commend the students, faculty and school officials of Phoenix for the manner in which they went about mak ing the adjustment to a new situation. They have made a distinct contribution to the advancement of democracy at a time when it is sorely need ed to bolster America’s po sition so terribly damaged be fore the eyes of the world, by what wfent on in Baltimore and Milford. We also extend our con gratulations to the students, faculty and school officials of Phoenix and commend their attitude to other cities and communities that are dis turbed because America is being called on to practice the democracy it preaches an(f hopes will be embraced in other parts of the world. Communism has no chance where pure democracy is the rule and the surest way to defeat the former is to extend equality to all the people without regard to race, creed or color. ENFORCE THE LAW AGAINST JAY WALKERS One of the greatest needs in Durham today is a rigid law against jay walkers or a more rigid enforcement of the law already on the books. Any casual observer needs only to stand on any busy comer of the main business district of Durham to soon dis cover that the average pedes trian will iake all unds of chances with his limbs and life in crossing streets eveA during the heaviest traffic hours. Of the major cities in North Carolina we believe Durham is the only city that does not have a rigid enforcement of the law against jay walking. Raleigh, Greensboro, Char lotte and we believe Winston- Salem have already installed “Walk” and “Don’t Walk” signals at the busy intersec tions of their business dis tricts. As is usually the case Durham lags behind and will probably rush to install such signal after some person has been seriously injured or kill ed playing hide and seek and leap frog with traffic in the down town area. Many pedestrians, because they know of the slack en forcement of the law against jay walking in Durham, seem to take delight in taking chances by stepping off the sidewlak directly in front of on-coming traffic. Only the most alert drivers of auto mobiles should even dare drive an automobile through Durham’s business sections during the rush hours. Such a driver is required to be both a mind reader and a magician to prevent striking down some SATVRDAf L. E. AUSTIN Publisher mv. 20, 1954 CLATHAN M. ROSS, Editor H. ALBERT SMITH, Managiiig Editor M. E. JOHNSON, Business Manager JESSE COFIELD, Circolatioii Manager niMMMd Bwenr aatnrday by tb* imiTID ;nJBUSHEB8. Inoorporatad «t Bit K. PttUgnm BL Snt*r«d u mame tUm matMr at tba Post OfOo* •t Oortuun. North CmUM ondv th« Act of Hweii S. im —■ Adrrnrtmat Bav«aM«attn: laMmaM tU tuanntM of pubUcaUon of inuoUcttod mata- rUfr'lLattan to tha editor tor *ubUcatlan muat ba •isned and confinad to SOO worda. Subacrlptloa Bataa: Ite par eopj; Wx monHia. tS.OO; Ona Yaar, H.OO (ForalCD Cnitrlaa, H.M par raar.) frffffffrrrrr~rrffr~*rrrfrffffrrfM>ijjL: Life Is Like That BY H. ALBERT SMITH EULOGY Last Friday night, I saw and talked with David Mitchell lor the last time. When we parted, he was tieaming with good cheer and radiant with hope. It was our plan to meet Monday, but we did not. Our presence here today eloquently proclaims the reason why. It is impossible for me to give the date when our acquaintance began, and acquaintance which ripened Into a deep friendship. But the date doesn’t matter. What does matter is that the friendship was bom, and my life has been greatly enriched as a result. Although David sleeps, 1 shall always be thankful to the Providence that brought us to gether and thrilled by a quiet joy that it was mine intimately to know him and to 'have won his esteem, confidence, loyalty, and devotion. I ^lory in the privilege to pay David Mitchell a tribute oil respect today. It will not be my last. Although any subsequent tributes will undoubtedly be less formal, they will not be one whit less sincere, truthful, and fervent. Sometimes eulogies exceed the merits of the dead. But it would indeed be difficult to ex ceed the bounds of truthfulness in speaking of the sterling qualities and worthiness of our departed friend. He was a man of fine character and helpful influence. Although only twenty-seven years of age, David was a staunch and Influential church man. He belonged to the Metho dist church but loved -the Church. Denominationalism waa rather incidental in his think ing. The realization’ of the Kingdom of God on earth was his chief concern. Two or three years ago, he presented liimself to me for baptism. He was the last of a dozen candidates whom I bap-^ tized one Sunday night. The scene is indelibly etch'ed upon my memory. It is with singular pride that I acknowledge David Mitchell received baptism at my hands. Last Friday night, he said to me, “Rev. Smith, I would at tend services at your church Sunday, but as it will be the first Sunday in the year, I’H^ hav« to be fit my church.” I ami glad now he made that decision in view of the fact last Sunday was his last Sunday to attend careless pedestrian. If Durham does not have sufficient laws against such persons we feel that ordin ances should be passed im mediately to safeguard the lives and limbs of those per sons who are in too big a hur ry to wait until the proper time Jo cross the stree^, and to protect the auto drivers of the city from having to de fend themselves against such careless persons. ^ any church. ■ It is befitting that his last Sunday on earth was spent “at home." A RACE MAN As a race man, he deserves the highest honor. Bom and reared in an environment in wliich actual experience belies the proclaimed doctrine of the brotherhood of man and stamps the feeling of inferiority upon so many, David Mitchell re mained untouched by that un christian reality. The only eval uation he gcknowledged for any human being is that made by God to the end that all men are equal. Forced to yield bodily to many restrictions imposed by a prejudice backed by might, spiritually, he did not and would not yield. He beheved firmly and unshakably in the equality and brotherhood of all men. He respected his own per sonality and had no apologies to offer for his racial identity. Because of his belief in the equality of all men, he was dis satisfied with the inferior social, economic, and political status forced upon his people. Ha could'-not become reconciled to what has been aptly styled “a second-class citizenship.” Like) Nehemiah, he couW not stay ool the sidelines and see his peopW flailed by the fists of injustice. He, therefore,- became militant. He could not .match the might behind Injustice with might. But he could oppose that might with the moral and spiritual weapons and whatever political and legal forces that were avail able. WHAT HE HAD He didn’t have the intellec-i tual equipment of some men in this city. He might not havci possessed the finest mind in this city. But he was brainy; he was a good thinker. He had an un conquerable spirit, abundant courage, a will to see things thru, and faith that would nol) falter in the ultimate triumph of right. His spirit made liim a giant-if only a little giant— among men who knew more than he did, but lacked his spirit." We all know of his work as president of the local unit of the NAACP. He soon outi grew a sphere of leadership so limited. The county unit of that national organization re cognized the fact, and last fall claimed him as its president. That was a signal honor to con fer upon a man who spent hi^ days in manual labor. It was a splendid tribute to his ability, and he was only twenty-seven years of age. THE TRAGEDY “ I was Ti'ot only shocked wheni, I heard of. David’s passing, but was momentarily stunned that he died so young. Some iiave al-> ready said in my presence, “He was so young!’’ Well, listen! Ttiat is not tragedy. But I tell you what is. It is to die with-i out making any worthwhile contribution to life, without ideals and aspirations, and (Continued on Page Seven) WASHINGTON AND SMALL BUSINESS The Department of Commerc* makei interesting diacoveTT. • * « Thlf (ovemment sfenoy haa ■nrveyad tome 4W of nation’s blgreit boalneu entarpriaea o> what indnoemeat wooM enoonr- Bge them to ride oMttal in (or- eifn 4 Thft repUasj are very inter esting. XJtuallyl the term wel fare state is! used to indi-| cate a desirej (or govemmentl pledged aecur-l ity for the low-1 er income C.W. Hardar groups. However, replies indicat ed that the greatest tub thump ers for a welfare state are the na tion's biggest corporations. • • • It la also interestinc Dept, ot Commerce confined anrvey to 400 firms oat at more (ban 4 million establiabmeiita In the nation. « * • It is also interesting to reflect that undoubtedly some of these arms included the leading tub thumpers lor abolition of U. S. protective tariils with the cry that no matter how cheap foreign labor is, American "know how" can overcome that, and besides, U unlimited cheap imports hurt some domestic flms Aat'i just the risk of doing business. • * * Bnt Big Bnainesa made U clear to Conunerca Dept., it wanta t* take no risk. • • * For example, there seemed to be a lack of belief that their sales methods could be ^^[^essful in selling pent up demKsb-of the billions outside U. S. Tnervfore, before taking any “risk” they want tariffs reduced so they can sell their foreign labor produced goods in U. S. * • • They also want apedal low ia- oorae taxes on any money they By C. WILSON HARDER make on foreign "risk’* Taatwea. a 0 • l%ey also want government to guaranta* they will suffer no losses CD foreign “risk" ventiures. • • * They alsa want the garemment t« rallere tliem on anti tmal laws, preaamably so they can Join foreign monopoUas ia their “tUk" voitnrea. • • * la fact, they expressed them selves as perfectly willing and eager to enter into “risk" ven tures in foreign lands. • * « But the riak moat be abonl- dered by the C. B. taxpayer, and the profita «( saok "rlak” ve» torea ainst aoenie to them. « • • Yet many of these same cor porations employ high pressure men to persuade Independent re tailers and wholesalers to risk cajdtal in heavy inventories— with no guarantMS. * * • Uma, once again, evideno* ap pears there are two definitioaa of free enterprlae. One amall bnt af- fldent gronp, feela free enterprlae ia where government gives them a tree hand backed np with fro* Inanranoe. • • * But Independent businessmen, generally, consider free enter prise as a system whereby a man is free to go broke, as well as make a fortune. « • • let thousands are willing !• risk their aavlngs, tlieir homes, furnltore, and fntnrea In having a go at fraa enterprlae as they anderatand it. And all they uk from government la that they b« given at leaat aa even break to anoceed. Tet government poU- clea on cheap imports, lax anti tmat law enforcemant, inaqolt- able tax programa, make that risk more riakler every year. Bnt iBtereatlagiy enonch, Commerc* Department liaa yet to make a titorongh investlratlon of tha aaeda a( Indapeadeiit baalnaaa. "IHE OBSTACLES CAN BE RB40VED, IF NATIONS HAVE IHE Will' PEACE r COLOR ATOM V CERNSmY Spiritual Insight "I AM ABLE FOR ANYTHING" BY REVEREND HAROLD ROLANS Pactor, Mount Gilead Baptist Qmrch •'In Wm who ftrengthen me, I am able for anything...''Phil. 4:13. Let us meditate on the spiri tual beauty of this verse for this week. How can one speak out of such discouraging cir cumstances and say such a thing? The circumstances, seem-» ingly, would be discouraging to ninety-nine out of a hundred. But there is a man who haa found the beauty of a matchi less spiritual ix>wer. He lias a rare sense of soul power—and an inward power tluit makes idm courageous and victorious amid crushing and discouraging conditions. Wtiat about this secret power? Can I have it? Yes, this power is available for you and for me. In this power,; which is the power of Faith in Christ, he could say, and you can say...“In him who streni ens me I am able for anytliing. power? Tliis is not a human What is the secret of this power. Man cannot give tiiia power, for this power comes when we have really surren dered to' the redeeming power of God as revealed in Christ Jesus. This power makes ordinary men, extraordinary. This is the pow er of the redeemed man..THE POWER OF THE NEW BIRTH! The Holy Spirit at work in the soul of man produces this pow^ er. How are we made ready to. stand amid all circumstances?.. ‘IN HIM WHO STRENGTHENS ME..’ In him you can do and endiire all tilings. Without him life is an endless round of frustrating discouragements and defeats. But anchored by faith in Christ you too can say I am able for anything. In him nothing can discourage you, and no set of circumstances can defeat youi, I remember very vividly a per son I met once who was faced with a very discouraging set of circumstances, eiiougli—to dts^ courage the stoutest heart. The circumstances were faced and endured and overcome without) the slightest sign of discourage ment. Tills power works, and with it you can do and endure all things. You can truly say “I am able for Anything”. In Christ we should not be so easily discouraged. Let us not let a little adverse circumstance^ defeat us. Too many who claitt^ him, my friends, are too easily discouraged. Are you easily dis couraged in the face of dis> couraged. He says..“FEAR NOT. ONLY BELIEVE...” He says... “I will not forsake thee..” He says...“In the world ye shall have |tribulaUon,..COURAGE...I HAVE OVERCOME T H ii WORLD...” Let us not be easily discouraged. Are you able for anything? Are you able to stand without discouragement in the face ol disappointment, failure, criti.- cism, delays, frustrations, ad versities, sickness, and sorrow? Surrendered, consecrated in him, you too can say I am Able, amid all conditions! Faith in C^d kindles a flame) in the soul. It gives hope—s| never dying hope. Let us put ourselves in him, and we too cai> say, “I am able for anything...” STRAIGHT AHEAD NEW YORK January 1, 1955, will be the) time for the changing of the guard at the State Capitol in Albany, New York. Those pubi lice servants who have been performing in one department or another in the State govern-' ment, will be expected to bow out now, and make way for the Democrats to organize their program. This is a good old American custom, and it is to be hoped that as the various tenns of ser. vice expire among the employt ee«- of the Stote who are Re^ publican appointees, they will be willing to move on quietly. We have said that it is concei-i vable that, veen when an ad ministration has given incom-* parable service, it is well that another party be given an op portunity to handle the affairs of state for a time. However, we did witness in the case of the long tenure of the Democrats in Washington, a reluctance on the part of J3emcrat appointees td relinquish the posts they had held so long. Some of them even attempted to make their posts permanent so that they could remain in their jobs practically cm a lifetime basis. The Republicans nave seen slow in replacing Democrat ap pointees in the national ad ministration; and although they have replaced a limited number of them, they have gone on tj cut new pathways, giving re-i presentation to Negroes in areas where a Negro had never served before. We now have re presentation at the poUcy-mak-i ing level in the Labor Depart ment, and advisors in other vi tal departments such as Housing and Business. he found no Negroes in the On the matter of appoints ment of Negroes to public office in the State of New York, Gov. Dewey leaves behind a brillianlj record. Those Negroes whom hej chose to serve have, almost without exception, served with distinction. When he took officej State service. He has appointed in the neighborhood of fifty to important Jobs. Now, this is something of ai i^ord, and it will be interesting to see if the Urban League and other groups will call together the group which was organize^ and which worked so hard for retention of Democrat Franln Horne as Asst, to the Federal Administrator in the Depart'* 'hient of Housing, and. for other Democratic appointees, and re-i activate that organiztion to press for the retention of some of those Negroe appointees who have served the State of New York so well those past twelve years. Surely Elmer A. Carter, who helped to organize the first FEPC In the country and who has served as a Commissioner with that agency since the be ginning, would be invaluable to the continued smooth running of the Conunission. Other Ne^ groes, who were also “firsts” are worthy of such considera.> tion—Bertha J. Diggs, first Ne gro woman to be appointed Sec-t retary of the State Department of Labor; Conrad A. Johnson^ member of the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board;*"Dr. C. B. Powell, member of th«) State Boxing Commission; Dr. George E. Haynes, Trustee.of the University of the State o New York, Just to name a few. If, however, the state ad- ministration under the Demo crats, sees lit to oust Republic —Br M1t* a. AdMOM cans, sweeping the slate clean and replacing them with Demo^ crats out of party loyalty, thert President may leam a Itsson in operation of partisan politics wiilch, though undesirable may be necessary for survival. Thia could be a signal for the Eisen.i hower Administration to revise its poUcy and sweep the re maining Democrat hold-overs out of the government and re place them with loyal Republi cans. I"' On the other hand, should the State Administration ill New York under the Democrats, follow the lead of the present National Administration, in the matter of its appointments, wq may be witnessing an entirely new era in American politick in which partnership yields to public service. And let m not be weary ta well doing: for in due seaaoi we shall reap, If we faint not —(Galatians 6, 9.) Somehow, until one reall} Is strong Id righteousnesi through asserting dominioi over his desires, he may find It easier, more comfortable, ti slip back Into negative think'' ing, into coddling dislikes md resentments But the rewards of holding’ good, positive thoughts and acting upon them, are great in true and lasting happiness
The Carolina Times (Durham, N.C.)
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Nov. 20, 1954, edition 1
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