A Patriotic Lie, p.6
Dublin Core
Title
A Patriotic Lie, p.6
Description
Senator Pat Harrison (Democrat, Mississippi) delivered the principal Fourth of July address in the U.S. Government-owned Sylvan theatre, Washington, last week, in which (as reported in the daily papers):
“He paid tribute to the ‘three million noble men and women who had the courage to throw down the gage of battle to the most powerful nation on the face of the earth some 153 years ago and declare their independence.
“After outlining the marvelous growth of the nation, the senator urged his audience to study and determine for themselves whether or not the principles on which the country is founded are being maintained. ‘Favoritism and discrimination were timbers refused by the illustrious builders of the great structure.’ he declared, ‘and we should in the administration of government see to it that every class of our broad people and every section of our broad land be treated justly and alike”
This same Pat Harrison has boasted in the Senate that his State keeps Negroes from the polls. He voted against the anti-lynching bill and against the confirmation of every Negro nominated for Federal Appointment by the President.
Pat doesn't believe what he said, nor has he lived up to it. In the fervor of Fourth of July oratory, he got closer to them ideals of America than he has ever been before.
Nevertheless, his address shows that he has been reading the Declaration of Independence. This is a good sign, for, perhaps in his last days his eyes may be opened to the great principles of freedom and equality that it contains.
“He paid tribute to the ‘three million noble men and women who had the courage to throw down the gage of battle to the most powerful nation on the face of the earth some 153 years ago and declare their independence.
“After outlining the marvelous growth of the nation, the senator urged his audience to study and determine for themselves whether or not the principles on which the country is founded are being maintained. ‘Favoritism and discrimination were timbers refused by the illustrious builders of the great structure.’ he declared, ‘and we should in the administration of government see to it that every class of our broad people and every section of our broad land be treated justly and alike”
This same Pat Harrison has boasted in the Senate that his State keeps Negroes from the polls. He voted against the anti-lynching bill and against the confirmation of every Negro nominated for Federal Appointment by the President.
Pat doesn't believe what he said, nor has he lived up to it. In the fervor of Fourth of July oratory, he got closer to them ideals of America than he has ever been before.
Nevertheless, his address shows that he has been reading the Declaration of Independence. This is a good sign, for, perhaps in his last days his eyes may be opened to the great principles of freedom and equality that it contains.
Publisher
Baltimore African American
Date
1929-7-13
Collection
Citation
“A Patriotic Lie, p.6,” African American Fourth of July, accessed April 28, 2024, https://africanamerican4th.omeka.net/items/show/202.