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“Individuals, groups, and nations build
up tremendous structures of false beliefs
about each other in order to defend them¬
selves unto the world, and more funda¬
mentally, unto their own consciences.”
—Gunnar Myrdal
JAMESTOWN WEED
Ever and anon some word seen or h iard,
1 or some deed observed, sets up a chain
reaction of associations, and we iind our¬
selves yielding to the temptation to remi¬
nisce; we find our minds caught in an un¬
winding, unsnarling of associations, that
takes us back through the years to fresh¬
en in our memories, scenes and deeds of
our boyhood, when most of our hopes and
aspirations were in front of us.
During a recent radio broadcast of I he
Garden Gate, the director answered a
question about a flower that turned out to
be a cultivated “Jimson” weed, the scienti¬
fic name of which is Datura stramonium,
a powerful drug. The weed grew on our
baseball fields and in cow lots or stable-
yards. plant first dis¬
It appears that the was
covered growing at Jamestown, Virginia,
by the English in 1607. We seldom see
the plant in the city, but it must be fa¬
miliar in the rural areas with its purplish-
red stalk, broad leaves, purplish-white odor. The
flowers with an unforgettable
leaves were draped around the forehead as
a cure for headache.
The mention of this plant brought to
mind sand-lot-baseball, the cry ‘Cheese-
it” from a watchman if he didn’t forget,
Sergts. McQuade, Deignan, Kilhtsury, and
“Cow-boy” Brantley, and the hot breath
of their horses on our necks. This race
for the nearest fence, or alley, or open gate
was a daily occurrence, interrupting the
score and furnishing amusement for adult
spectators, and the policemen, too, we sus¬
pect.
So rambling around to find out more
about the “jimson” weed, we came upon
this bit of interesting information:
The Jamestown Weed “being an early
plant, was gathered for a boiled salad, by
some of the eoldiers sent ... to pacify
the troubles of Bacon (Bacon’s Rebellion)
and some of them ate plentifully of it, the
effect of which was a very pleasant com¬
edy; for they turned natural fools ..for
several days. One would blow a feather in
the air; another would dart straws at it
with much fury; and another stark naked
was sitting up in a corner, like a monkey
grinning, and a fourth would fondly kiss
and paw his companions . . In this frantic
condition they were confined, lest they
in their folly would destroy themselves.”
The effect of eating the salad lasted
eleven days after which the victims re¬
membered nothing that went on. it is in¬
teresting that we never heard of any in¬
stances of poisoning from the use of this
drug. Well.
HE SATISFIED?
It would be a waste of time to point out
the Contradictions in Mr. Lee’s editorials,
if they were not meant to give comfort
to certain reactionary newspapers and
others who themselves do not really be¬
lieve in his sincerity. His editorial. What
Does The Negro Want, like all the edi¬
torials we have seen, is full of contradic¬
tions.
“What Does the Negro Want,” asks Mr.
LeO. “Is he in search of some imaginary
Uto-pia, land of milk and honey void of
poverty, sacrifice, racial differences and
prejudice?” Our answer is. No. But Mr.
Lee answers, “We are 15,000,000 strong
in this nation, and if we would be as
tolerant and understanding of the other
fellow as we would have him to be; if
we would lay more stress and emphasis on
race pride, on honesty, morality, and eco¬
nomic achievement, we MAY IN TIME
DISCOVER THAT THE IMAGINARY
WOMAN ASKS
$5000 DAMAGE
RICHMOND. (ANP) — A
was docketed in law' and
court here last week by
Pearl Powell charging that
Carolina Coach company of
ginia refused her bus
damages from the bus firm.
The complaint oontends
Miss PowaM bought a ticket
Richmond from Emporia last
and occupied a seat next to
fujly occupied long seat in the
of the bus. She says that the
next to her was vacant.
When two white witmhn
the bus, the driver ordered
Powell to stand up so that
could be seated. She refused,
the driver punched her ticket
told her to take a second
Entered as Second Class Matter at the Post
Office at Savannah, Ga. under the Act of
March 3, 1879
National Advertising Representative:
Associated Publishers
562 Fifth Avenue
New York 19, New York
UTOPIA HAS BECOME A REALITY.”
We never intend to resort to inelegant
language however keenly we may feel
about any matter, so we just ask, does
anybody know of a more patient, tolerant,
forgiving, and often more understanding
abused group than Negroes?
It is not the truth that “the average
Negro leader goes around with a chip on
his shoulder looking for prejudice, dis¬
crimination and segregation, so that he
can holler ‘wolf’ and keep his people in¬
flamed and aroused.” No Negro has to
go around looking for prejudice and dis¬
crimination. leader thinks Mr.
The average Negro stupid. The trouble
Lee's supjxisition is
with average Negro leadership is rather
that it is the kind Mi. Lee would fur¬
nish which advises Negroes to be content
and satisfied, and wait. Does Mr. Lee know
how it is that 150,000 Negroes in Georgia
and 85,000 in South Carolina were able to
qualify as voters? Why have recent Su¬
preme Court decisions been rendered in
regard to restrictive covenants? Would
Mr. Lee have. Negroes accept segregation
and discrimination without complaint?
How can he reason that men who believe
in peonage would ever give it up volun¬
tarily? Somebody had to be willing to
complain about these evils. Does it become
agitation to let lawmakers and other re¬
sponsible people know that they are con¬
niving at or perpetrating a violation of
civil rights? Is it undemocratic to use the
means of free society to gain the liberties
for which the citizens of our country soak¬
ed a thousand battle fields all over the
world ? to be
Certainly those, who do not like
told they are wrong, will welcome any in¬
fluence that will sooth and quiet the
wronged. It is a real service to their con¬
sciences to find a “Negro scholar or other
opportunist, to advise that they are get¬
ting along all right. at¬
Our disagreement with Davis Lee s
titude in no way indicates that we are
unaware of the progress and improvement
in race relations. We express our obliga¬
tion to and appreciation of the liberal in¬
dividuals, agencies and newspaper)? in the
South that have kept faith with the ideals
of democracy and who have been willing
to stand up in advocacy of human rights.
Dr. W. E. B. DuBois has contributed to
Pbvlon, Third Quarter, a review of race
relations for the thirty-year period be¬
tween 1917 and 1947. We cite two quota¬
tions from the article. They may not be
the most important statements but they
suit our purpose now:
“ . . . All leading universities of the
North now admit Negroes, Vassar and
Princeton being the last to yield. College-
bred Negroes show increasing instances
of unusual ability. There is no Negro in¬
stitution that has a chapter of the Phi
Beta Kappa honorary fraternity, and rec¬
ognition of Negro ability is not always
certain in white institutions. Yet we find
that between 1910 and 1917. 15 Negro
students were elected to Phi Beta Kappa,
while between 1937 and 1947, 40 were
so elected. Between 1910 and 1917, 6 Ne¬
groes received the Degree of Doctor Phil¬
osophy while between 1937 and 1947, 279
received such degrees . . .
“First of all and fundamental, (is) an
improvement in general attitude and hope¬
fulness. Science and the general public
have attacked the concept of ineradicable
race differences with devasting success.
A great many of the old cliches have either
disappeared or are less emphasized . . .
The changing of human nature in the
matter of prejudices does not seem today
as impossible as it once did . . . We no
longer maintain that laws do not help in
social evolution or that the amalgamation
of races in the United States and else¬
where is impossible.”
However, as she presented
ticket at the second section,
first driver told the other
operator not to transport her.
former also threatened her
arrest and handled her
A plea of not guilty has been
filed by the bus firm.
RFTURN FROM OFF-
CAMPUS STUDY
Fifteen members of the Geor¬
gia State College faculty have re-
turned for the fall quarter after
spending the summer doing fur¬
ther study at some of the leading
colleges and universities in the
country.
The group was headed by Pres¬
ident James A. Colston who studi¬
ed at New York University. Other
members of the staff who did
ther study are; Miss Janie
Lester, New York University;
Madeline G. Harrison,
, .... n0IS ... W H. Brown,
’ ‘
State University; Mrs Martha
M. Avery, Columbia University;
Mrs. Joan L. Gordon, University
of Pennsylvania; W. E. Griffin,
Iowa State College; Miss Geral-
dine T. Hooper. University of
consin; Miss Grace E. Hunt, Mc¬
Gill LTniversity; W. E. Murray,
Ohio State University; A. E. Pea¬
cock, New York University; Frank
Tharpe, Iowa State College; Al¬
bert Frazier, New York Univer¬
sity; A. S. Bacon, Connecticut
State College; and W. V Winters,
Ohio State University.
Miss Hooper received the i,as¬
ter of Science degree in physical
education. Bacon is assistant
supervisor of Negro extension
work in the State of Georgia.
THE SAVANNAH TRIBlT.til
IT STARTS AT HOME’
A
i *
m
BETWEEN THE LINES
Hy DEAN GORDON 15. HANCOCK FOR ANP
THE RACE’S STRONG RIGHT ARM
When I arrived upon Virginia Union’s beautiful
campus 27 ypars ago fresh from study in two
of the famed eastern universities, 1 was not
particularly different from the current quota of
teachers manning the colleges for the educa¬
tion of Negroes throughout the south. Above ail
I was motivated philosophically rather than
economically, and so proceeded to offer an elec¬
tive in history of philosophy. The fine young
men of that college generation devoured such
a course with consuming adividty.
Although I knew the old job that philosophy
study is ‘‘like unto a blind man in a dark room
looking for a black cat that is not there.” I
realized then as now that life in its basic analysis
is philosophical. Philosophy is so engaging be¬
cause it discourses upon many questions that
the human heart raises even though such dis-
coursings leave the questions too often sadly un¬
answered. The question then as now as to whether
the world is getting better and the reasons for
out conclusions was deeply intriguing.
One of my “irrefutable” proofs that the world
is growing better always stemmed from the fact
that so much fault could he found with the
world. If the world were as bad as it is and
everybody were satisfied with such world, it
would he tragic indeed; but so long as everybody
is conscious of the sins and follies and evils of
the world, the said consciousness can always be
offered as proof that the world is getting better,
because a man must see himself a sinner before
he becomes a fit candidate for salvation.
The point I am trying to make is that the
present confusion in the world is serving but
to call attention to the evils of thd world and
these evils must he faced before they are cor¬
rected. The Dixiecratic resurgence in the south
will in the end prove to be a blessing, for it
brings into the light a moral condition that needs
correction sorely It is far better to have the
travail and have it over With, than M go on in¬
definitely falsely 'believing that corner/ tha* 1 ihterraeiai
m'llonium is just ureund the *
If the .Negeo. quails before the' challenge that
the Dixiecratic movement hurtles into his up¬
ward path, he proves recreant to his 'promise of
I4H4 1 ftH'H 1 , l‘‘X* , X* , X*4ri-4“:-*X"X"X“:”X- , H**X"X* , X“X~X**X* ,
LABOR VIEWS
By George F. McCray for ANP
,-
LABOR IN NATIONAL &
Despite the optimistic predictions of labor lead¬
er George M. Harrison, president of the AFI,
Brotherhood of Railway clerks and director of
the labor committee of the Democratic party,
the Negro and white workers of the country are
not being swept off their feet by Mr. Truman.
I Neither are the nation’s working staff going
into joyous shouts over Mr. Dewey, the Republi¬
can candidate, nor Mr. Wallace, the nominee of
j the Progressive party. Not since the ’20‘s have
j American working men been so indifferent about
a national convention . . . excepting of course,
, the congressional elections of 1946. -
George M. Harrison’s hopes for Democratic
success in regaining control pf the senate and
. house, not to mention re-electing Mr. Truman,
are based largely on the belief that the working
men in industrial states will pile up heavy
majorities for the Democratic ticket. But the
Democrats and the labor leaders are making a
surprising discovery. Not only are the workers
tending to stand on the sidelines and act like
spectators in an affair in which they are sup¬
posed to he the main actors, hot in Illinois, for
example, a check has revealed that over half the
union members are not even registered.
Of course, all of this might change radically
as Nov. 2, comes in clearer view, but it will
take some pretty strong action to shake labor
out of its lethargy. Unless the Democratic cam¬
paign catches fire pretty soon and stimulates
other years. When an army meets a temporary
reverse it reforms its forces and regroups them
ami returns to the fray. There can be little or no
doubt that what is transpiring in the south at
present is going to make some difference in the
plans of Negro leadership which will call for
great strategy and resourcefulness. But the all-
important fact remains that the color question
has been forced into the forefront of political
and economic matters in this country; and as
suggested in a former release, this is itself a
victory.
What to do about the sub-citizenship of the
Negro has been forced upon the agenda of the
nation. What will be the ultimate outcome of
the matter is quite clear to serious students of
Jhe questions. The Negro’s full-fledged citizenship
is inevitable if the Negroes will keep faith in
themselves and in the decent Christian whites
who are sincerely interested in the race’s ad¬
vance. Aiieve all, Negroes must have faith in
God and the future. The south is counter-attack¬
ing fiercely; but intelligent Negroes are not sur¬
prised.
The old south with its “Hald-the-Negro-Down”
traditions is not going to die without a struggle.
The ultimate outcome is therefore clear to
serious observers. It is the immediate outcome
that troubles many. The political successes of
the southern Negro-phobes is not a light matter
to he lightly dismissed. While the Negroes far-
removed from the scenes and the city dwellers
may he comparatively free of fear and intimida¬
tion, there is danger that the tribulations of
the already hard-pressed, masses of the rurA
south may be tragically increased. God forbid!
The reason that the question of the Negro’s
sub-citizenship is before the nation is found in
the Negro press. The Negro’s strong right arm
in the battle for full-fledged citizenship is the
selfsame Negro press. The potent Negro church,
the virile Negro scholarship, our up and coming
Negro business, and above all the NAACP which
is spearheading our fighting front would be
helpless without a vigorous and virile Negro
presp. The race’s strong right arm! Let us read
Negro newspapers-fruU of grrtritude and -out of
appreciation of the genius that produced them!
INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
public interest, a lot of workers won’t even
bother to vote on election day.
PRO-NEGRO WFTU DEAD
The World Federation of Trade unions, the
largest international labor body in the world,
has often been accused of being under Com¬
munist control. The latest and most damaging
charge of Communist domination comes from
Arthur Deakin, president of the WFTU.
Deakin, being also one of the top officials of the
British Trade union, would not have made the
charge before the recent TLTC conference in
Margate, without having the prior approval of
TUC leadership and presumably of the CIO. The
British Trade Union congress like the British
Foreign office rarely makes a move without
consulting their American colleagues.
James B. Carey, CIO secretary, and Michael
Ross, director of the CIO’s foreign relations de¬
partment. are now in England conferring with
their British colleagues on the best method to
follow in abandoning the WFTU to the Russians.
The collapse of WFTU as a result of the in¬
tensified struggle between the western powers
on one hand and the Soviet bloc of nations on
the other will prove most harmful to Negro
workers in Africa, the West Indies and in other
dependent and colonial areas. The WFTU had
undertaken to speak for them and to give them
representation in its councils, but now another
effort must be made to build a truly democratic
international labor organization.
THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER 30, 191*
Masonic-Eastern Star Notes
Last Sunday the Atlanta dis-
trict held a meeting at Can-
ton. The district was well rep-
resented, with brothers even
(from ,;ho Ttn:fx;iee jurisdic-
tion. As usual, sisters from
the Eastern Star were present.
They prepared the usual fine
dinner for the brothers. AUer
a collection of $27 00 for the
district, from the fullness of
j their hearts, the brothers rais¬
ed $65.00 and presented same
to the Baptist church whl re
they met. This showed the
true Masonic spirit.
Grand Master Dobbs was In
Waycross _ __ __________^ Tuesday when __________ Bright o
Star Lodge No. 1G8 was restor-
ed. This was one of our
strongest lodges in this sec-
First Southwide Club
tv-
0-
A film strip showing the
highlights of the first South¬
wide 4-H camp, biggest
ever held for rural
youths, is being prepared
the extension service for use
in the various states, Extension
Director M. L. Wilson
nounced this week.
The eight-day encampment
which was held at Southern
un/versity, Baton Rouge,
closed on August 31. f82
delegates from 15
states were in attendance.
Events taking place from
moment of the arrival of the
delegates at the encampment
to the impressive candle-
light'ng ceremony, which mark-
ed the close of the outstanding
camp, have been chronicled
color. As soon as the
strip is edited and
copies will be sent to all
participating states.
The film strip shows all
myriad activities in which the
4-H boys and girls took
during the encampment. These
included hearing such
as Director Wilson, Dr. Mar-
shall Shepard, recorder
ATLANTA UN1V. NEW
STAFF MEMBERS
New additions and
to the faculty and staff of
lanta University have
-strengthened the offerings of
institution, President Rufus
Clement made known this week.
In the School of Arts
Sciences, Dr. William Boy,
Talladega College, A.M., Pb.D., the
University of Michigan, has
appointed professor of
science. Formerly on the
| at Fort Valley State College,
i will teach courses in
j science and in the Col lege division
j social sciences. A
j in political scinece and
Dr. Boyd has been a
fellow. During 1947, he
a Carnegie grant to study social
and economic conditions in
rope. In June, 1948, he was
member of the Institute of Inter¬
national Relations at North Cen¬
tral College; he is also the sur-
rent president of the Association
of Social Science Teachers.- ,
alb
science as assistant?^ j[^rpfe«sor
sociology, earned the A.B. at Am¬
herst College and the M.A. at Fisk
University. He is a candidate for
the Ph.D degree at American Uni¬
versity.
An appointment to the English
department has gone to Miss
Beulah Lee Jones, B.S., Fort Val¬
ley State College and M.A., At¬
lanta University. Miss Jones
taught at Moultrie High School,
Fort Valley State College, Fes¬
senden Academy, and at the H. A.
Hunt High School in Fort Valley.
New on the faculty of the School
of Education is Mr, Paul Ingra¬
ham Clifford, B.S., Pennsylvania
State Teachers College, and
Atlanta University. He was form¬
erly on the faculty of Paine Col¬
lege. During World War II, Mr.
Clifford was an administrative as¬
sistant in the war department.
At the School of Social Work,
Mrs. Marporia W. Johnson, a grad¬
uate of Oberlin and the Western
Reserve School of Applied Social
Service, will be an instructor in
Group Work; and Reverend Isaiah
J. Domas, B.S., and Ed., M.,
Springfield College, and S. T. B ,
Tufts College, has been made a
full-time member of the faculty.
New staff appointees at the
University are Miss Ida B. Woods
of Somerest, Kentucky, A.B., Spell¬
man College, A.M., Atlanta Uni¬
versity, who was on an extended
leave of absence from Atlanta
University to work with the
American Red Cross, and who now
has a new post as associate hos¬
tess and counsellor; Miss Edith
tion.
The Grand Master will or-
ganize a strong lodge at Gam-
esville, and also one at Me
Donough. of
At the coming meeting
the Masonic Building Associa¬
tion, request will be made to
renew its incorporation tor
thirty-five years instead of the
usual twenty years.
Do you know that it is easier
to “raise a Mason” than it is
to “Make a Mason?” Well, it
A program was to be rendei>
done by a degree team in a few
hours. It takes a long, long
time to “make “ mnkp a a Mason. Mason. The
degree team can “raise a Ma-
son,” but only the brother so
raised can “make a Mason.
deeds for the District of Co¬
lumbia; Miss Patsy Graves of
the Farmers Home Administra¬
tion, and David W Kellum of
the Chicago Defender.
The activities also included
joining in a talent night pro¬
gram with Frank “Sugar
Robinson, and watching
|a flight demonstration from by a Col., de-
i tachment of flyers
B. O. Davis’ Lockbourne Fight-
| er Group.
| Other important encampment
i highlights recorded in the film
[strip are scenes showing the
in the beautiful Lou-
isiana State capitol buildhys,
; visiting h’storic places in New
Orleans, boat riding on the
Mississippi river, observing re¬
j search work at the Louisiana
state Experiment Station, a,nd
taking part in various recrea-
tional activities on the campus
at Southern under the direc¬
tion of Dr. Ross C. Owens, phy¬
sical education specialist.
Director Wilson says the 4-H
delegates will find the film
strips of real value as an aid
j in describing to home commu-
nity folks- what went on at the
1 encampment.
A. Dalton of Atlanta, a graduate
of Clark College, who has a pbM-
j tion on the secretarial staff of
j the School of Social Work; artd
Mrs. Agnes B. Robinson of At¬
lanta, formerly on the staff of
Howard University, who also has
received an appointment to the
administrative staff of this school.
Other staff appointments already
announced have been made at the
University library.
FIFTY YEARS AGO
Files of The Savannah
j Tribune
OCTOBER 1, 1898
Beth-Eden Baptist church,
Gordon and Lincoln streets,
Rev- Alexander Ellis, pastor,
was dedicated last Sunday.
; Rev. M. W Gilbert preached.
Rev. Alexander Harris made
the dedicatory prayer. In the
evening Rev. E. M. Brawley
prgached. , ?’
Whittaker, recent- 'iiMT *
Rev. J. W-
ly called pastor of the Firit
Congregational church, ; w|tl
preach his first sermon next
Sunday morning.
Several young ladies left on
Thursday for Talladega collegj?.
Secretary of War Alger wgs
in the city Monday. Savanntth
may be selected as a port ot
embarkation for Cuba.
CIVIL WAR VET
DIES AT US
GLENOLDEN, PA.—(ANP>—-
George Lacey, Jr., 106-year old
Civil war veteran, died in his
Gienolden home last week where
he had resided for over a half
century. Lacey, who was born into
salvery in Middleburg, Va., in
1842, had been blind for the past
seven years, although he wort-ed
on his small farm until he Was
90, At the age of 92, Lacey mat-
ried a second time after his fifsS
wife of 65 years old died. His sec-
ond wife is also dead.
The well-loved veteran was a
familiar, sight on Chester Pike.
His recollections of pre-Civil wav
days were listened to and enjoyed
by all who knew him. Lacey said
he was separated from his parents
while still a child. They were sold
to another owner.
He became the first Negro leath¬
er tanner and harness maker in
the state of Virginia after eman¬
cipation.
Lacey lived here with his two
daughters. He was the father ot
12 children.
