The 4th of July, p. 4

The 4th of July, p. 4

“The fourth brought with it its usual noise, excursions, casualties, and other evidence of patriotism, but has left behind it a long train of duties unperformed and promises unkept. Congress has adjourned without giving expression to its disapprobation of lynching, if it had any, and without passing a single act in condemnation of the wholesale disfranchisement of loyal true-hearted colored american citizens. Slavery in the Philippines still exists and ‘the flag of the free’ as it floats in the breeze loses its eloquence as it waves over the slaves. While we have reasons to be thankful for the prospect of good crops, the present menace of the trusts become more and more threatening. The spirit of the castes manifested by labor unions, still operates with lightning effect upon the colored tradesmen and mechanics and no friend in congress or out of it has been raised to stay its influence. The glory of American prowess and American commerce may cause the breasts of the whites to throw with patriotic emotion and the heart to rejoice in prosperity, but the colored people are left only to hope! Hope! Hope! That the public conscience may be fully aroused to a sense of the justice of supporting and defending colored labor and according to all equal rights and privileges as before another Fourth of July rolls by is the hope and prayer of all patient and long-suffering colored people and just citizens. Notwithstanding all, we join the patriotic processions and say to all Americans God’s speed!”

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The Washington Bee

1902-7-5