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ON THE POLITICAL HORIZON

POLITICS, ESSENTIALLY MEANS: The science of civil government, and being such it is imperative that we make a much more careful study of the situation at hand. Living today in a highly politically-minded nation it is necessary for us to keep abreast of the times, and remain always cognizant of the events that are happening around us with the rapidity of a camera shutter. Being fully aware of these happenings and at the same time realizing your importance in the world in which these events occur is daily being brought to you in more extensive style by news-picture publications. This medium enables those living in the most remote hinterlands as well as the un-lettered persons of the urban centers to readily ascertain what is going on about them and their importance in the progress of the civil government that is mentioned in all dictionaries.

With this ever-ready source of information the words science of civil government lose that harsh sound that makes it appear an automation for the learned. It is our government, and each day as history is being ground out we Negroes become more important figures upon the political horizon whether it be the unsettled horizon that follows a depression or the gayer and more prosperous horizon of the halcyon days.

Our right to franchise allows us to make our desires known and respected, and when diplomatically garnered our collective strength is capable of gaining for us those things that civil government insures its self-respecting citizens regardless of race, color or creed.
Intelligent leadership and collective action exercised with keen judgment and foresight will secure for us greater respect and sound prosperity. 
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To the Publisher of FLASH Magazine:
May I take this opportunity to greet you on your anniversary. FLASH Magazine has performed a fine and meritorious job in inspiring the young men and women of the Negro race to look ahead and appreciate the better things in life.

This is just what the Roosevelt Administration has done for the people of all classes regardless of race, color and creed. I am not unmindful of the fact that you have wholeheartedly supported the Democratic policies of President Roosevelt as upright American citizens, concerned with the welfare of all our people. The President promised not only a New Deal but a Square Deal to all classes. He has kept his promise, without favoritism or prejudice.

Under our new conception of democracy, the Negro has been given the chance to which he was entitled -- not because he was singled out for special consideration, but because he belonged to the class that the new democracy was designed especially to aid.

It is interesting to observe that there is appearing today among your people a newer, abler and more forthright leadership. It is a self-respecting leadership. It is equally gratifying to observe the approach of these leaders to the problem of the time and the sanity and justice of their demands for their race. The high quality of your magazine, the excellence of its features and the quality of its art is typical of this. Long may you serve your subscribers and your country.

Sincerely, James A. Farley, Chairman, Democratic National Committee.

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TO FLASH MAGAZINE:
On the occasion of your First Anniversary may I extend to you my most sincere and heartfelt greetings.

As evinced by the creation of FLASH, we live in times of great changes. National and international events follow one another so rapidly that it is almost impossible to keep up with them. People today are so busy that they have less and less time for thoughtful study of the news. This explains, I believe the rapid rise of pictorial new magazines. They serve a valuable purpose in a busy world. In bringing this technique of visual reporting to bear upon happenings among the colored citizens of America, FLASH magazine is serving a useful purpose.
I do not have to remind you that a large majority of Republicans, both in the House and in the Senate favored the Anti-Lynching Bill. But I do want to remind you that the problem of helping the Negroes in this country to obtain more security, better jobs and a higher standard of living is not an isolated one. It is directly tied up with the basic problem of stopping the trend towards one-man government in Washington, and starting the economic wheels moving throughout the country.

When depression strikes, its hand falls heaviest upon members of the colored race. The return of a forward-looking Republican administration will mean more and better jobs for Negroes than can ever be the case under this administration; which having failed in every remedy it has put forth, still refuses to return to the sound principles which would bring a return of prosperity.

Sincerely yours,
John Hamilton, Chairman,
Republican National Committee.

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