Advocate Register_1951-02-23

ADVOCATE REGISTER (Designed to Read) Published by Oliver Smith News Agency (Established 1943 OLIVER E. SMITH, EDITOR Office 1453 N. Williams Ave.-EM. 7266 ATwater 2551, 3411 S. W. First Avenue, Portland I, Oregon Free from Services of Any Special Intere5ts The News As We See It. The Editorials Are Our Opinions IN MY OPINION FROM ONE DEMOCRAT TO ANOTHER Mr. Oliver E. Smith 1453 N. Williams Avenue Portland, Oregon My dear Oliver: February 5, 1951 Thank you very much for your very tempered and consid– erate letter of February 2nd. Incidentally, my remarks, as quoted in the press, were taken from the context of what I actually said. I do not need to remind you that my speech in behalf of Civil Rights was considered by many to be the principal factor in driving that bill through the Senate in 1939. I have always believed, still believe and shall continue to believe that the present situation in Oregon is intolerable when a man, solely because of his color, is denied the most elementary necessities of life. Opponents of that type of legislation have many times con– tended the advocates of Civil Rights legislation ultimately de– sired marriage with persons of another color. It is indeed interesting to note that some of the persons sponsoring this bill have in the past opposed bills giving Americans of the colored race the right to partake of a meal in a restaurant and the right to take his wife to a decent hotel. I was a great admirer of Mr. White who did so much for the good of his country through the N.A.A.C. I am afraid his marriage to a white woman has greatly lessened his usefulness. Maybe my stand on this matter has lost me political support. Iff so, I can't help it. I do not want, however, to ldse the friendship of good Americans such as yourself. Please under– stand, I do not consider members of your race inferior in any respect to members of the white race. I shall continue to oppose this bill which was introduced by Senator Hitchcock and I shall continue to fight and work for Civil Rights legislation. With best personal regards, I am Very truly your, Thomas R. Mahoney State Senator. February 12, 1951 Hon. Thomas R. Mahoney The State Senate, State House Salem, Oregon My dear Senator Mahoney How glad are you that you are living in these United States where you are entitled to a "democratic way of life?" You can– llot begin to be glad until you realize the full meaning of that worn-out phrase "democratic way of life." And yet, how can you be so bold as to represent the American people of the State of Oregon when you evidently do not know the true meaning of democracy? You, dear Senator, are entitled to your opinion and only when you publicize that opinion are we, the people who put you in office, entitled to question your views. As an American, as a citizen of the State of Oregon, and as an intelligent think– ing individual, I wish to recall to your attention your state– ment published in the Oregonian Newspaper January 31, 1951, which reads ,in part: "objects to Negro and white marriages. 'It's a crime to unborn children'." It is a disgrace that a man of your position should voice such imbecile thoughts. Why not propose that only blue eyed people can marry green eyed folk or that only blond and red haired people can intermarry. Should a brown eyed person marry one of green eyes, pity the poor children from such a union. It has been said that "marriage is an honorable estate" and the children from such an "honorable estate" are usually nor– mal acting individuals. That is all you or anyone could ask. But no, dear Senator, you would rather lower the morals yf intelligent acting people thus sanctioning illegitimacy. Let's face it, most honorable Senator. When a man and a woman want to be together, whether the man is blue and the woman is orange, there is only one power on earth that can keep them apart and that power is death. W.hat possible difference could it make to you if a white person wants to marry a Negro or vice versa. Just be glad that they believe that "all men are created equal and are endowed by their Crator" and not by a narrow-mindd politician whose support stems not just from the white citizens of Oregon but also from the colored peoples as well, be they Democrats, Republicans, or what have you. It would be well for you to remember that Negroes have par– ticipated in all of the battles fought by Americans because they, too, are Americans. It would be particularly good for you to remember that not only during the past wars but during the present conflict in Korea, those bullets and bombs are not addressed to any one race or color of soldiers who are wearing the uniform of Uncle Sam. It would be worthwhile for you to remember that there are American soldiers of every shade from white to black who are now battling climatic hardships plus the hostility of war while you sit safely at home in your easy chair by the fire. How glad are you that you arc living in these United States where you are entitled to a 'democratic way of life?" Sincerely yours, Phi Nu Phi Sorority, By Eunis Beryl Mott, 2107 N. Vancouver Avenue Portland 12, Oregon. , Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do which must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you temperance, self-control, dilligence, strength of will, content, and a hundred other virtues which the idle ne·.rer know.-James Russell LowelL-Carlton-Yamhill Review. /