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Editorial column from The Carolinian, June 17, 1950, — Raleigh, N. C»
The substantial majority that Frank Graham polled in the recent primary was encour
aging from many angles. In the first place Negroes supported Graham although he had to re
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cant from some of his liberal positions; as for example the FEPC. Everybodys knows that
Dr. Graham is in favor of the FEPC; but he had to back down before the terrific onslaught
of his enemies who were doing some deadly gunning for the man’s political life. So long as
Frank Graham’s heart is on the right side; Negroes can afford to let him make a “strategic
retreat” if by such retreat he can win over those who are a 100 percent against Negro ad
vance.
The Frank Graham episode should awaken Negroes to the advantage of certain strate
gies in the fight for liberation. To have forced Dr. Graham to stand up to his former posi
tion on the FEPC would have meant his political undoing. It is far more desirable to have in
office a man who is partly for us and our program of liberation than to have one who is
wholly against us. Call it gradualism or compromise; it is common sense.
The whole-hog-or-none attitude toward Graham would have slaughtered him to the
delight of his enemies and to the deteriment of our cause. Now comes the exhilirating news
that Alabama has been wrested from Dixiecrats. As between the orthodox democratic
party with all its shortcomings and the dixiecrats with their reconstruction psychosis; give
us the former. North Carolina’s leadership of the South is positive and convincing!
(Willis Smith Campaign Headquarters, Hotel Sir Walter, Raleigh, N. C.)