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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 24, 1928)
L I F T I N s — LIFT T ID *1. rs 'a rn o _ _, o The Monitor NEBRASKA'S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor. GROWING — THANK YOU $2.00 a Year- .ents a CopyOmaha, Nebraska, Friday, February 24, 1928 Vol. XIII—Number 34 Whole Number 655 Pullman Porters’ Union Sights Victory Race Prejudice Is Not Innate But Is Acquired Rev. John Haynes Holmes, Eloquent, Eminent and Courageous Unitarian New York Clergyman Critically and Scientific ally Analyzes Causes of Race Prejudice in Lecture at Jewish Community Center The Rev. John Haynes Holmes, the eloquent and internationally known Unitarian minister and author of New York City, in speaking before an appreciative audience Monday night at the Jewish Community Cen ter, critically and scientifically an alyzed and vigorously attacked racial, class, religious and world-wide prej udice, graphically depicting its dan ger to civilization. Dr. Holmes’ subject was “Race Prejudice—Its Cause and Its Cure.” He stated that race prejudice, sus picion, antipathy and hatred are rampant in the world as never before. This is the outgrowth of the world war. It is the teaching of history that war generates hatred which it takes more than a generation to out grow. Killing men does not beget love. A recent visit to Europe dis closed bitter and unreasonable anti Semiticism in every country with the sole exception of soviet Russia. Prej udice abroad and at home is serious at the present time. Never so serious as now. It sets race against race, class against class, religion against religion. The revival of an organiza tion founded upon hatred is sympto matic of this spirit and temper. And yet despite the prevalence of hatred and prejudice, which he greatly de plored, Dr. Holmes said he desired to bring a message of optimism and hope. “Prejudice is not an instinct of the human heart; it is not an attribute of the human soul, but alien to it; it , is not from within, but from without, it is a poison stream that flows from the world into our hearts and poisons them; it is the artificial product of the social environment in which we live, influenced by economic pres sure.” “If prejudice were natural, innate, and instinctive, the task of its eradi-' cation would be hopeless, indeed, but inasmuch as it is wholly artificial and unnatural, there is ground for hope that by changing conditions the mal ady can and will be cured. “That prejudice is fundamentally an artificial product of our social en vironment and that it is not a native instinct of the human heart, which upon the contrary is that of loving one another, is proven,” said the speaker, “by three main facts or propositions. “No child is born with prejudice. He sees no differences in human be ings. Not until he is educated by his teachers, the home, the school, the church, the synagogue, does he know any difference.” The speaker recalled a scene in New York one Sunday morning in May, where a beautiful little white girl, and a beautiful little black girl, hand in hand went Binging on their way to Sunday school as illustrative of the absence of prejudice in chil dren. While enjoying that picture, the speaker said, there came over him as an overshadowing, chilling cloud the thought that it would not be long before some one would sow the seed of prejudice in the hearts of those children. “Prejudice differs from place to place. It varies according to charac ter or historic accidents of society. If it were native to the soul there would not be this variation or differ ence. For example, France has vir tually no prejudice against the Ne gro. A journey in our own land shows decided differences. In Ala bama prejudice is directed against the Negro, in Arizona, the Mexican, while in California the yellow man, Japa nese and Chinese are the victims, and in Boston, the genuine simon pure “Yankee” Roman Catholics and par ticularly the Irish Roman Catholics. “Prejudice exists in the same fam- i ily, against members of the same tribe, or race. German Jews show prejudice to Russian Jews. This was a startling revelation to the speaker a few years ago, who up to that time ! believed that Jews were Jews, stand ing unitedly against oppression. Northern Negroes show prejudice against southern Negroes. Ludicrous and tragic as this is, it is nevertheless true and is directly traceable to arti ficial conditions of differing cultural levels and economic advantages. “There are well springs from which the poison of prejudice flows into the hearts of men. The first of these are differences in cultural levels. People on a lower cultural level are repug nant to those higher up. The second reason is religion and the third eco nomic competition. “The cure is to be found in educa tion and improved economic condi tions. The standardization of life and the raising of all men to the highest level, “Religion should be the one great influence in life that unites people,' history shows that it is the one thing that divides us more than anything else. The way to eliminate religious prejudice is to recognize that religion means one thing, brotherhood in the spirit of the One God. This, too, is the principle that will eliminate race prejudice, insistence upon the essen tial oneness and equality of humani ty, and the teaching of brotherhood and equal privileges for all men.” Dr. Holmes was introduced by the Rev. Ralph E. Bailey, pastor of the First Unitarian church. Following the lectures, Dr. Holmes was asked several questions concern ing race relations which he answered (with a candor, sanity and broad-mind edness which is rarely found among public speakers. This was particular ly true in his answer to the question about amalgamation or race admix ture. He stated that race admixture or amalgamation is already here. It be gan by the preyiqg of lustful men of the dominant group upon the women of the lower and unprotected group. Anti-miscegenation or anti marriage laws promote this very thing. Marriage is for the protection of women. Marital happiness is best secured by the union of people on the same cultural, religious and racial planes. Family disaster is frequently invited when a Jew marries a Gentile, a Protestant a Roman Catholic or a Negro a white person. But if people of differing races and religions desire to marry that is their business. He asserted that it would be interesting for the audience to know that many self-respecting Negroes would con sider it as much of a “degradation” —to use a common but false expres sion—for them to marry a white per son, as most white persons consider it a “degradation” to marry a Negro. This information might be a shock to Nordic pride. SERGEANT MELVIN McCAW BURIED WITH MILITARY HONORS Sergeant Melvin McCaw, retired, died at his home, 2806 Ohio street, early Monday morning after an ill ness of several months. Sergeant McCaw, who was born in Nashville, Tenn., May 16, 1868, had served with an unblemished record for 30 years in the famous 9th Caval ry, when he was retired at West Point, September 4, 1917, received high testimonials from his command ing officers. For ten years he was first sergeant of the detachment of cavalry at the U. S. military academy. The deceased is survived by his widow, Edna, four sons, Eugene R., Percival, Arthur B., and Herbert, and five daughters, Mrs. Edith Johnson, Bernice, Melva, Lucille and Gertrude. The funeral was held from Myers Funeral Home Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, the Rev. John Albert Williams officiating, assisted by the Rev. O. J. Burckhardt. A firing squad and bugler from Fort Omaha fired the farewell salute and sounded taps at the grave. Interment was at Forest Lawn. EDITORIAL It would have been well if thousands instead of hundreds had heard the message which John Haynes Holmes brought to the people of Omaha who heard him last Monday night at the Jewish Community Center in his illuminating and instruct ive lecture, “Race Prejudice—Its Cause and Its Cure.” There can be no doubt, as the learned speaker said, that prejudice, and particularly race prejudice, is rampant and vir ulent in the land and unless it is checked America is doomed. Hatred is destructive, and race prejudice is at bottom anti-human and anti-social hatred. Religious prejudice has, in our judgment, considerably abated in the last few years, while at the same time we have been confronted with the paradox of increasing race prejudice. The remarkable thing about the increasing prejudice between the white people and the black people of America seems to be that as Negroes increase in in telligence, wealth, culture, character, the tide of prejudice mounts higher and higher. It is a social phenomenon that we cannot explain, but that there is some ultimate purpose which will result in good we do not doubt. Social movements, wheth er evolutionary or revolutionary, do not just happen. In the present crisis, however, our duty is plain, and that is one of self-scrutiny and honest self-appraisement, the ascer tainment of our points of weakness and of strength. We need to address ourselves to the task of disillusionment that we may really know ourselves and the work appointed for us to do. Withal we must fight against all embitterment of soul. That here and there there are voices being raised in protest against prejudice which belies the true nature of men, unspoiled by convention and tradition, is reason for hope and encourage ment in the belief that brotherhood among men will ultimately prevail. LADY ASTOR CABLES CHEERING MESSAGE TO DYING FISKITE Prominent Alumnus of Fisk Univer sity and Famous Singer Suc cumbs to Chronic Heart Disease Nashville, Tenn.—On the morning, of February 17th at 4:15, Mr. James A. Myers, a graduate of the class of 1908, died at his home in Nashville. Mr. Myers had been suffering from ' heart disease for several years and incapacitated for over a year. He re ceived his degree in theology from Fisk and served as principal of the Kowaliga School for Colored Youth in Alabama. During his college days he was a member of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, and even while principal of the Kowaliga school he gave a por tion of his time to Fisk, making rec ords for the Edison company. He was for a year pastor of a Baptist church in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and for another year, pastor of a church in Greenville. After two years of preaching he was persuaded to de vote all of his time to music and join the Fisk Jubilee Singers. For years Mr. Myers sang tenor with the quintet and advertised Fisk j all over the world. It was he who was responsible for the first Europ ean tour of the Fisk Jubilee Singers since 1884 when the original jubilee singers toured Europe for the last time. Mr. Myers went abroad with the singers three times and only ill ness prevented his returning with them in December of this year. Few singers have made as many friends, or have been so profoundly loved as was Mr. Myers. , Seemingly having premonition of death, he sent for his wife who was with the Fisk singers touring Europe. Leaving the singers for the first time in 28 years, Mrs. Myers (formerly Miss Henrietta Crawley, a student of Fisk) rushed to her husband’s bed side and was with him when he died. Shortly before his death, the lifelong friend of his wife and himself, Lady Astor, sent a cablegram expressing deep solicitude over his condition and hoping for his recovery. The cable read: “Hold on to the thought that God is life.” Signed: NANCY AS TOR. Mr. Myers was outstanding as a brilliant singer and enthusiastic in spirer of younger singers and a 32nd degree Mason. He will be remember ed by all the Fisk family as one of the great Fisk singers, to be named with such men as Tom Rutling, Isaac ] Dickerson and the late John W. Work. A special Masonic service was held ' for Mr. Myers at 12:00 midnight Sun day, February 19, and regular funer al services were held Monday in Mem orial chapel. Telegrams and expres sions of condolence from all over the world have poured in to Mrs. Myers expressing the regret of Mr. Myers’ death. WOULD HONOR MEMORY OF CR1SPUS ATTUCKS Observance of "Citizenship Founda tion Day” Suggested in Con nection with Anniversary Day Boston, Mass., Feb. 24.—Following close upon Douglass day, for public honors to an historic colored Amer ican who wrought great benefit for his own race, the National Equal Bights League and Bace Congress of America today made public the text of an appeal to the race to observe “Attucks day,” or “Citizenship Foun dation day,” on Monday, March 5th, or of Crispus AttuckB, first martyr of the founding of the United States, thus doing public honor whereby we could show white Americans what great benefit a man of our race wrought for them. For cumulative effect the league recommends that again resolutions be adopted against federal segregation and for the enforcement of the 14th amendment, to end the national scan dal of still holding the race alone of the country’s first martyr to national formation and independence subject to lynching and disfranchisement in and by the southern states thereof and to segregation by the national government itself. These resolutions are to be sent to the seat of the na tional government, the former to President Coolidge, the latter to con gress, state delegations and members of the steering committee of the House with a copy to Representative Tinkham, author of the resolution for reduction of southern repress. Steering Committee Member* John Q. Tilson, floor leader, Conn.; Nicholas Longworth, speaker, Ohio; George P. Darrow, Pa.; Edward E. Denisan, Illinois; Nicholas J. Sinnott, Oregon; Allen T. Treadway, Massa chusetts; Walter H. Newton, Minne sota; Homer Hoch, Kansas; Frederick R. Lehlbach, New Jersey; S. Wallace Dempsey, New York; Royal C. Johm son, South Dakota. VETERANS MAY GET NEW U. S. INSURANCE CHANCE Washington, D. C.—Sentiment has developed in the House veterans’ com mittee in favor of giving more than 3,000,000 World War veterans an other chance to take out government insurance. Hearings have started on a bill to reopen for one year the time for conversion of government policies, and Chairman Johnson would be passed without serious opposition. When the time for conversion, gov ernment policies closed last July only 640,000 of the 4,000,000 men who served in the war had converted their ; policies. VICTORY IS DRAWING NEAR FOR PULLMAN PORTERS’ UNION Recent Court Decisions in Suits by Similar Organizations Will Help That of the Porters' Union New York, N. Y., Feb. 24.—Ac cording to Henry T. Hunt, Donald R. Richberg and Frank P. Walsh, coun sel for the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the recent court deci sions, namely, the district court for the southern district of Texas, and' the supreme court of New York state, on the company union, have greatly reinforced and fortified the position of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in its fight to secure recogni tion, a living wage, the 240-hour work month and better working conditions. Federal Judge J. C. Hutcheson in the case of the Brotherhood of Rail way and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express and Station Em ployees, Southern Pacific Mines in Texas and Louisiana, et al, vs. Texas and New Orleans Railroad company, et al, handed down a decision order ing the imprisonment of three offi cials of the railroads found guilty of contempt of court for alleged de ! fiance of an injunction granted the | Brotherhood of Railway Steamship ; Clerks last August. To escape jail, Judge Hutcheson told the railway officials they must recognize the Brotherhood of Rail way Steamship Clerks until a secret ballot of the employees is taken un der court supervision; abandon the Association of Railway Clerks, the company union; reinstate the railway clerks’ bonafide union officials and members discharged from service dur ing the dispute; pay fees of the Brotherhood of Railway and Steam ship Clerks’ counsel and give the bon afide union’s officials all privileges they are entitled to. The latest dis patches in the press show that the railway officials have obeyed the or der of the court. According to A. Phillip Randolph, general organizer of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the above cited case in on all fours with the Pullman porters’ union fight. He says that action to compel the Pull man company to abide by the provi sions of the Railway Labor act which it has flagrantly flouted and arro gantly defied, will be started by the brotherhood. The precedent in the Texas case materially strengthens the grounds upon which the porters’ union will rest its case. General Organizer Randolph also points out that the recent decision of Supreme Court Justice Wasser fogel denying the Interborough Rapid Transit company’s petition for an in junction against the American Fed eration of Labor to prevent it from organizing the employees of the com pany, was another great victory of organized labor over the autocratic company union. The judge condemn ed the contract made by the company union with the company on the grounds that the agents of the com pany union were not free. The same situation exists with the company union of the Pullman porters, says Randolph. The contract of the em ployee plan is unlawful and will be set aside by court action. Confidence of an ultimate victory are expressed by General Organizer Randolph. GEORGE WASHINGTON LUNCHEON The George Washington luncheon given by the Woman’s Auxiliary of the Church of St. Philip the Deacon, Tuesday afternoon, was a success socially and financially. The flag bedecked room and the prettily ap pointed tables presented a beautiful scene. The menu served won high commendation. Several reservations were made by ladies who entertained friends. Mrs. S. H. Dorsey, chairman, was assisted by the following ladies: Mes dames C. T. Smith, G. D. Gordon, Harry Schwein, Otis Shipman, John A. Smith, Jennie Scott, A. D. Jones, Tony Jackson, A. M. Harrold, Jr., C. H. Hicks, J. G. Jewell, Isaac Bailey, Jennie Williams and Mrs. J. E. Brown. NEW CLAIMANTS $200,000 ESTATE OF ^ LATE NEBRASKAN Two Chicagoans Claim Relationship to Illiterate Ex-Slave and Land holder Who Died Four Years Ago SEVERAL SUITS NOW PENDING New claimants appeared Monday for the 200 thousand dollar estate of an illiterate ex-slave, who died at David City, Neb., in March, 1924. A Chicago Associated Press dis patch told of suit entered by Herford j Porter and Robert Breckenridge, Ne groes, who claim to be cousins of George W. Mattingly, the former slave. Theirs is only one of a num ber of claims to the property, which was left by Mattingly, according to an unsigned will offered for probate in David City, principally to County Judge I. T. McCaskey and Charles Bennison, a banker there. Although the Chicago cousins say the property left is worth two mil lion dollars, this is scouted in David City. There the ex-slave left about four hundred acres of land, some city lots and some personal property, the value of which has not been listed. Suits are pending in the federal court at Lincoln, Neb., and a hearing is scheduled for March, to find the rightful heirs. Fought with North Whether Mattingly ran away or was freed at the outbreak of the civil war is not definitely known. At any rate he reached the north, enlisted in the One Hundred Twenty-fifch color ed infantry, fought during the con flict and at its close came to David City. It is said that he homesteaded part of his land and bought the rest when it was cheap. After a time he moved to town to live upon the income from renting his farm. He became a town char acter, spending his time exchanging war reminiscenes with other veterans. McCaskey and Bennison were his ad visers. He could not read nor write his name. After his death and the filing of the unsigned will, a Negro lawyer named C. C. Maguire of Gary, Ind., appeared with 12 or more alleged relatives and filed a claim. He as serted that the dead man’s true name was “Manley” and that he had chang ed it to Mattingly when he fled the south. After a time Maguire drop ped his clients and entered suit for one, Jeannette Miller Breckenridge. He offered an old family Bible with a record of births, to support his claim that the woman was the true heir. Retained Chicago Lawyer Mrs. Breckenridge, believing her cause good, engaged another attor ney, a Negro lawyer named Jackson, said to be one of the most successful in practice in Chicago and he is press ing her claim. Twenty-one persons, who have set up a claim at one time or another to the estate, are named defendants in Mrs. Breckenridge’s suit. Judge McCaskey at David City recently said that he had helped Mat tingly in legal matters and that he had left but a small portion of the property. Part of the estate, according to David City records of the will, was left to Elias Mattingly of Marion county, Kentucky, and Joseph Mat tingly of Sholes, Neb. The latter has since died. Both were said to be brothers of the dead man. PENNSYLVANIANS THREATEN TO LEAVE REPUBLICAN PARTY Philadelphia, Pa.—What is char acterized as slighting of the colored citizens of Philadelphia by the re publican party is being bitterly re sented by colored political leaders here. Warning has been issued that the Negro electorate of this city is ready to desert the republican party in the coming presidential and senatorial campaign.
