I
TRIBUNAL All^
\ OLl ME lA. >0.20 VVEDMiSDA'i. OCTOBER 20.1976
PER \YAn
25 CENTS
iVlEAlBER: North Carolina Black Publishers Association
North i Carolina Press Assot'iation. Inc.
A VIABLE, VALID REQUIREMENT
RESPONDING TO
BLACK NORTH CAROLINA
BICENTENNIAL
:BIACK HISTOKr
“lost-Strayed Or Stolen ”
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Black history in the Western HemiBphere most probably be
gins \%ith the discovery of the New World by Christopher Co-
Inmbus in H92. Blacks are known to have participated mean-
inf^fully in a number of later explorations made by Europeans in
various parts of the Lnited States and Spanish America. Facts
such as these at once fashion a new dimension for Black history
within the mainstream of American history. Inasmuch as one of
the primary purposes of this feature is to record some historical
achievements of the Black, it becomes most important to offer the
reader chronological accounts through which he can conveniently
vamiliarize himself with the broad sweep of American Black
history. The years covered here are 1492-1954.
1862 Washington, D.C.
Congress authorizes the
enlistment of Negroes for
military service.
1863 Washington, D.C.
President Lincoln issues
the Emancipation Procla
mation.
1865 Washington, D.C.
John Rock becomes the
first Negro admitted to
practice before the Su
preme Court.
1865 Washington, D.C.
Congress retifies the
13th Amendment, and
establishes the Freedmen’s
Bureau.
1865 Washington, D.C.
Death of Abraham Lin-
oln.
1865 Mississippi
Passage of the
Codes.”
‘Black
1865 Montgomery, Ala
bama
Jefferson Davis authori
zes the Confederacy to fill
its military quota by
enlisting Negroes in num
bers not to exceed 25% of
the able-bodied slave
population. The measure
comes one month before
Appomattox, and is too late
to have any material impact
on the outcome of the war.
1866 Massachusetts
Edward G. Walker and
Charles L. Mitchell are
elected to the Massachu
setts House of Representa
tives, thus becoming the
first Negroes to serve in a
legislative assembly in the
United States.
1866 Washington, D.C.
A bill is introduced in the
District to provide for
Negro suffrage. White
voters are asked to indicate
their sentiments in a
referendum. Over 6500
vote against extension of
the franchise to blacks;
only 35 favor it.
1866 Tennessee
Opening of Fisk Univer
sity in Nashville.
1866 Washington, D.C.
Passage of the Civil
Rights Bill of 1866 despite
President Andrew John
son’s veto.
1867 Atlanta, Georgia
Washington, D.C.
Opening of Morehouse
College and Howard Uni
versity, respectively.
1867 Washington, D.C.
Congress passes the
First Reconstruction Act,
providing for military rule
in the South, pending the
reorganization of state
governments loyal to the
Union.
1868 Washington, D.C.
Ratification of the 14th
Amendment which estab
lishes the concept of ‘ ‘equal
protection” for all citizens
under the laws of the U.S.
Constitution.
1868 Louisiana
Ex-slave Oscar J. Dunn
becomes lieutenant gover
nor of Louisiana -- at that
time the highest elective
office ever held by an
American Negro.
1868 Louisiana
Readmission of Louisia
na’s Senator and Repre
sentatives to the U. S.
government. The move
follows the systematic
terror initiated by the Ku
Klux Klan against mem
bers of the Republican
Party and emancipated
blacks. Killings, lynchings
and beatings are recorded
in several Louisiana parish-
The 1976 Editions of THE TRIBI > AL AU) will
be dedicated to America's bicentennial f.ele-
bration. with emph.isis on contributions our Race
has made in the making of America, from
birth to tt'*’ pr('S**nt.
In 1976 there snouUl not De a nt'ed to lift these
contributions from isolated sources. Our past
\ili?.ation. because we art', exct'pt for the Indian.
■Vmerica's oldest t'thnic ininorit\ .
We ha\(‘ helped make America \%hat it was.
and what it i;-. sinci* the founding of \irginia.
We ha\e l«‘en a factor in man\ major issut's in
our histor\. There ha\e ln'en man\ misd(‘eds
ihem and fighl back. I his is living proof of our
hist(tr\.
Our role in the making (d Vim'rica is neither
well ki)o\\n correclK known. Main positive
contrihulions have e^i-aped historians and have
n(»l found their wa\ into the pages
historv lxM>ks.
1)1' manv
\\(
white, luanv little-known fa‘ts alH>ut our past
ami it is liopi'd that a proper (MTspective of our
liistorv will be of value to persons who may
believe that as Itlnik peoph' wi' havi' au ufl-'
vvorlliv past: and hence, no strong claims to
all righl-. ol'otluT \meri(‘ans.
Faye Ashe, Black History Editor
J
FORMER HIGH POINT RESIDENT
RHYMES FROM THE DELTA
1869 Haiti
Ebenezer Don Carlos
Bassett, believed to be the
first Negro to receive an
appointment in the diplo
matic service, becomes
Minister to Haiti.
1870 Washington, D.C.
Joseph H. Rainey is
seated as the first Negro in
the House of Representa
tives.
1870 Washington, D.C.
Hiram Revels, the first
Negro senator in the history
of the U.S., delivers his
first speech before the
Senate on March 16 --“...I
maintain that the past
record of my race is a true
index of the feelings which
today animate them ...
They aim not to elevate
themselves by sacrificng
one single interest of their
white fellow-citizens.”
1870 Washington, D.C.
Ratification of the 15th
Amendment, guaranteeing
to all citizens the right to
vote.
1871 Washington, D.C.
Congress enacts the
“Ku Klux Klan” Act
designed to enforce the
provisions of the 14th
Amendment.
A few years ago I found a book entitled
RHYMES FROM THE DELTA. The cover of the
book was worn and I had no idea at the moment
the author of the book. When I turned to the title
page I discovered that the author was a High
Pointer and a member of my church.
RHYMES FROM THE DELTA is a collection of
Narratives and Poems by Mr. George W.
McCorkle. In the words of Mr. McCorkle. / would
like to share with you some of his recollections
about the schools he attended, his first composi
tions written and first poem published.
I am sure some of the recollections given here
and names mentioned will bring back memories to
many people in the City of High Point and other
states and cities visited by Mr. McCorkle.
Many of his poems are dedicated to people of
this city, many oj whom we have known.
Continued From Last Week
POEMS OF THOUGHT AND CHEER
Dedicated To The Memory of My
Former Teacher, Prof. J. Adolphus Rhyne
DUTY
When the Muse demands a poem,
1 must write;
1 must always be on duty -
Day or night.
Though I may be fast asleep.
While the angels safely keep,
1 must wake from slumber deep
And get to work.
WHEN GEORGE BEGINS TO MOP
You ought to see this man at work
Or with a piece of chop;
But everything takes on new life
When George begins to mop.
All know the tiome for him to start,
From office to the shop.
And gladly give the right of way
When George begins to mop.
Once in a while he looks around
When sweat begins to drop;
All take their flight to higher ground
When George begins to mop.
The cooks and dieticians, too -
All take a nimble "hop
From water flashing right and left
When George begins to mop.
No need to say you’re going at once
With hope to call a cop;
You’d never get him near that door
When George begins to mop.
You’d think sometimes he’s at the point
Where he would almost flop,
But stay your distance, my dear friend,
When George begins to mop.
Some visitors oft happen in,
But make a sudden stop
To join the other lookers-on
When George begins to mop.
No matter where your station is --
At the bottom or at the top.
You’d better make your safe escape
When George begins to mop.
So if you have a little time
To spare, even from your crop,
You’ll spend it wisely to peep in
When George begins to mop.
THE DESPONDENT BROTHER
This brother from his early youth
Had sought to do his best;
He stood up always for the truth,
Though bitter was the test.
He sought to help his fellowman
Where there was crying need;
He was a leader in the van
In sowing precious seed.
I’MM Sl\
His one great prayer, through sleet and hail,
That he might do so well
That he . would not be sent to jail
Nor make his bed in hell.
But circumstances came around
That landed him in jail;
It brought the brother to the ground
When prayer did not prevail.
His friends, together paid his fine -
From prison made him free;
His countenance began to shine
In all sincerity.
He went to service next church day
When sadness in his heart;
The pastor called on him to pray;
The brother made a start:
‘‘Oh, Lord.” said he, ‘‘Let prayer prevail
While here on earth 1 dwell;
I’ve asked to be kept out of jail -
And also out of hell.
‘‘Now, Lord, it looks like I’m to fail;
Good tidings to me tell;
You’ve suffered me to go the jail --
I believe I’m going to hell.”
THE GARDENER
A vision rises in his breast
Beginning of each day;
He gives to every task his best
As he plods on his way.
Each flower gives a lesson great
Left by that hand divine;
The fragrance drives away all hate
And ushers in sunshine.
The gardener works from morn till eve
In this great school of art,
Content that he is to receive
Much beauty for his part.
Upon his bed he dreams at night
Of lillies of every shade;
Let them be purple, red or white
All these God’s hand has made.
PRESEVERANCE
If the word is hard to split.
Strike right on;
If you miss it when you hit.
Strike right on;
You must never think to fail.
Let your axe at last prevail;
Get more strength and split the rail.
Strike right on.
If the sun is very hot.
Toil right on;
Be contented with your lot;
Toil right on;
If you try to shun the heat,
You will never cut the wheat.
Don’t be thinking how to beat;
Toil right on.
If you cannot find a job.
Hunt right on;
Don’t go ’round and try to rob;
Hunt right on;
Do whatever comes to hand;
Do your work so it will stand;
But if still you fail to land.
Hunt right on.
If the way is rough and long,
Walk right on;
When you stop you do the wrong;
Walk right on;
Never think to give it up;
When you have a bitter cup,
Next may be a sweeter sup;
Walk right on.
If the day is bitter cold,
Move right on;
Be a man - a hero, bold;
Move H»ht on;
You can’t always be at ease;
Hear the wind blow through the trees?
Step up man before you freeze!
Move right on.
If the weather kills your crop.
Plant right on;
If it does not rain a drop.
Plant right on;
Hitch your oxen to the cart;
Get your seed and make a start;
Providence will do His part;
Plant right on.
If you’re troubled day by day.
Pray right on;
If your friends their trust betray;
Pray right on;
God is ruling over all.
When you need Him, simply call;
He will never let you fall;
Pray right on.
If the tub is full of clothes,
Rub right on;
If you feel like you could dose,
Rub right on;
There’s a better day ahead;
Rub, you have no need to dread;
You will get your daily bread.
Rub right on.
If the hill is rough and steep.
Climb right on;
If sometimes you’re made to weep,
Climb right on;
Though the climbing gives you pain.
Just beyond the cloud and rain.
You will see the sun again.
Climb right on.
If the waves are dashing high,
Sail right on;
If it seems that death is nigh.
Sail right on;
Though the waves be great a strong,
And the battle fierce and long,
Don’t forget your prayer and song;
Sail right on.
If the stove is red with heat.
Cook right on;
If your burn your bread and meat.
Cook right on;
Cooking may be very hot,
Yet it seems to be your lot;
Put the chicken in the pot.
Cook right on.
If your best girl turns you down.
Court right on;
If she gives you angry frown.
Court right on;
If she holds the other beau.
It’s high time for you to go;
Don’t be seen there any more;
Court right on.
If it seems that all is lost.
Keep right on;
Do the right at any cost.
Keep right on;
Though your friends may turn to foes.
And both earth and hell oppose,
Right will blossom as a rose;
Keep right on.
If you think you’ve failed in life.
Strive right on;
“Be a hero in the strife.”
Strive right on;
There are others of your kind;
Get a better frame of mind;
Look ahead, and not behind;
Strive right on.
If in life you have had bad luck.
Push right on;
You may reach the goal with pluck;
Push right on;
If you push and then believe.
Victory you will achieve,
And at last reward receive;
Push right on.
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1776 Honoring America's Bicentennial 1976
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