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The BRONZEMAN

Take It or Leave It
Copyright 1933

A SIGNA[[cutoff]]

COURAGE STILL PARAMOUNT
A PROTEST - AN ANSWER

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IT is difficult to believe that in this year of our Lord, 1933, a mob should enter an American court [[cutoff]] judge from his bench, subject him to innumerable indignities, besmear him with axle-grease an[[cutoff]] him with a hub-cap and finally, a rope around his neck, hoist him from the ground intent on [[cutoff]] that represents the proportion to which lynching has grown. Practiced against those defenseless, [[cutoff]] body cared and so, unchecked, it grew until now, a towering giant, it has invaded a court-room of [[cutoff]] government, snapped its fingers in the face of constituted authority, stopped a judge in the dis[[cutoff]] duties and retreated in defeat only because the jurist was possessed of well nigh incredible courage.

The scene was Iowa, the jurist, Judge C. C. Bradley, the mob an aggregation of irate farmers, [[cutoff]] cause the jurist had signed a number of foreclosures dispossessing farmers of their holdings. T[[cutoff]] doubtless had good cause for resentment, but they were in erroring directing their resentment at J[[cutoff]] Judges must enforce law as they find it, without fear or favor. They are sworn to do so. I have se[[cutoff]] flict fines reluctantly for violation of the prohibition laws, meanwhile holding the law to be stupi]]cutoff]] unconstitutional. But it is law and it has not been declared unconstitutional-yet. And a conscientio[[cutoff]] enforce the laws he is sworn to uphold.

But the outstanding element in the atrocious treatment accorded Judge was his co[[cutoff]] doubtful if in modern times any man has been called upon to give exhibition of courage as was h[[cutoff]] 

Socrates drinking the hemlock, the early Christian martyrs, dying rather than recant, Martin Lu[[cutoff]] Arc, the scientist enduring persecution at the hands of the Church as the price of standing by their[[cutoff]] these have become traditions. We point to them as instances of Martyrdom worthy of emulation b[[cutoff]] an idea of emulating them. For all our so-called Christianity and other faiths, 'twould be mighty[[cutoff]] any of us who take them seriously enough to stick to them in the face of death.

But here in this modern day, Judge Bradley had the unusual experience of a rope aro[[cutoff]] being given the choice of death or pledging himself never to sign another foreclosure. An aged ma[[cutoff]] hausted from the roughness with which he had been handled, his clothing torn, his hair matted with[[cutoff]] smeared with grease and dirt, he yet preserved his judicial dignity, His thoughts were not of hims[[cutoff]]oath of office and he calmly said: "I cannot promise."

Forthwith swung from the ground, by the milling throng, howling for his blood, kept aloft se[[cutoff]] he was lowered to the ground. He has lost consciousness. Finally consciousness returned. Raise to [[cutoff]] ture, his breath coming in gasps, veins distended, his neck swollen and torn by the hempen cord, [[cutoff]] told to swear as the mob wished or be again swung into the air-this time to certain death. Again[[cutoff]] firmly, "I cannot promise."

Such courage was too much for the mob. Mobs are nothing, if not cowards. That's why they[[cutoff]] They removed the rope from around the jurist's neck and commanded him to pray. To this comma[[cutoff]] "Gladly."

When he had finished praying, his tormentors has dispersed, astounded, confused, dismayed. [[cutoff]] to offer him a lift back to his home.

It's the same old story-down through the ages. Courage is paramount. The baser things of life [[cutoff]] it. Courage emanates only from the knowledge that one is right. It is that quality which enables "o[[cutoff]] thousand and two to put ten thousand to flight."

Not the crowd, not the mob, but the men of courage who have calmly faced the mob unfrai[[cutoff]] and die for their convictions, are they to whom we are indebted for the heritage that is ours. Judg[[cutoff]] vested the judiciary with dignity anew. 

*   *   *

On July 10th, in accordance with mandate of Congress, fifty duly chosen delegate from all [[cutoff]]of Illinois will assemble in Springfield to determine whether Illinois will be among those states fa[[cutoff]] or retention of the eighteenth amendment.

The fifty have been endorsed by the major political parties, petitions are now being circula[[cutoff]] will be voted upon by the electorate at the June 5th election.

Illinois preserves its reputation for fairness to all racial groups and the Negro, true to form, w[[cutoff]] to see that he was not ignored. And so it happens that when those fifty delegates meet to take[[cutoff]] ing the Constitution of these United States. one Negro will sit among them and have a voice an[[cutoff]] 

That this honor is mine is to be attributed not so much to any accomplishment of mine as to[[cutoff]]lated power politically of Negroes in Chicago, their recognition of competent leadership and the[[cutoff]] they have compelled thereby. It is to be attributed to Alderman Robert R. Jackson, Acting Com[[cutoff]]Congressman DePriest and Committeeman William E. King, the only two Negro members of the [[cutoff]]Central Committee who, though a woeful minority numerically, have used such wisdom and tact [[cutoff]]always given a respectful hearing, their advice sought, their wishes usually complied with.

It is an honor that one may well appreciate and it shall be my effort to justify the confidenc[[cutoff]]torate.

Some weeks ago, the Chicago EVENING AMERICAN carried a news dispatch referring to Ed[[cutoff]]tiring door-man at the State department, as the "aged little darkey." I immediately wrote a letter[[cutoff]] the AMERICAN and to Mr. Hearst and urged that others do so.

Not a letter of vituperation - just a letter letting them know we do not relish such references.

It is gratifying to give publicity to a reply from Herman Black of the EVENING AMERICAN [[cutoff]] expressly states it as "the policy of the paper followed consistently throughout the past ten yea[[cutoff]]posely injuring any race." Mr. Black states moreover, that both the managing and city editor h[[cutoff]] policy frequently explained and assures the public that only an oversight could account for such[[cutoff]] 

Not only to set forth the value of instant protest when affronts are offered. often without t[[cutoff]] of superiors, but that the commendable policy maintained by Mr. Black may be known, do I pass t[[cutoff]]

[[signed]] Cas[[cutoff]]  
    





   
 

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