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184  THE CRISIS

half century is phenomenal. Before the Civil War most of them were illiterate: perhaps not more than 5 out of 100 could read and write. Now fully 70 per cent. of them are literate

I wish that Indian illiteracy had been reduced to 30 percent. during the last 50 years.

A student of comparative progress searches the annals of the world in vain for a parallel to this remarkable rise in the literacy of Negro-Americans. Japan may, at first thought be considered to provide one. It is true that in the middle of the sixties of the last century the number of Japanese who were literate was small, and that to-day they are nearly all literate. The Nipponese, however, were not, less than 60 years ago, a race of slaves, as the Negro-Americans were. Moreover, the Government of Japan took vigorous measures and provided liberal appropriations to wipe out illiteracy, while scanty and poor provision has been made for the education of the
Negro-American. Be it remembered, that the Negro-Americans have been shut out of a large number of schools and colleges, and could, as a rule, obtain instruction only in institutions conducted especially for them. These schools have been far below the required number. Most of them have been inefficiently staffed, white persons, in many cases, not being allowed to teach in them. The majority of them have been kept closed
during a large part of the year. Some of them have been situated in unhealthy localities. In these circumstances, the fall in Negro illiteracy is almost a miracle.

SHERIFF ELEY

SHERIFF ELEY of Lima, Ohio, last August, at the risk of his life prevented the lynching of a Negro prisoner in his custody. Although a rope was placed around his 
neck and he was kicked and beaten into unconsciousness by an infuriated mob of his fellow citizens, he refused to the last to turn over his charge to the blood-hungry
men.

Night before last Governor Frank B. Willis presented to Sheriff Eley, on behalf of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a silver loving cup
inscribed "for devotion to duty in defending a colored prisoner from lynching, enduring torture and insult that the majesty of the law might be upheld at Lima, August 30, 1916." The world loves and appreciates a man, as Governor Willis said, who stands squarely with a heart unafraid and his face to the front at times of stress.

Sheriff Eley didn't think what he had done called for any such action. He had done nothing more than his duty. Quite true, but how many men would have done it under
similar circumstances? There may be many Eleys wearing sheriff's badges, but this country's black record of lynching has disclosed but few of them. We can, therefore, well afford signally to honor any official who shows himself willing to make any sacrifice
rather than be false to his oath of office.
-Evening Globe, New York.

The Springfield Republican adds:
It is pleasant to note that Sheriff Eley was retained by a big majority at the recent election.

WHY?

By G. DOUGLAS JOHNSON

THE verdure sleeps in winter,
Awakes with April rain;
The sun swings low-'tis night,-ascends
And it is morn again.

The world spins on triumphant
Throughout a trackless sky,
And mortal man seeks all in vain
The primal reason-why?

O, whither are we rushing?
And wherefrom were we torn?
We breathe from out the silences-
And breathless-back are borne!

Man through all ages past and now,
Bows to the lone heart-cry,-
It took a God to make us,
And a God to answer, Why!


Shadows of Light

[[3 images]]

1. NEGRO SENEGALESE, OF THE FRENCH COLONIAL TROOPS, DELIVERING A HARANGUE TO A GROUP OF GERMAN PRISONERS.
2. U.S. LEGIONAIRES IN THE FRENCH TRENCHES AROUND ARGONNE. AT THE EXTREME RIGHT IS BOB SCANLON, THE NEGRO BOXER.
3. AMERICAN NURSES ATTENDING WOUNDED FRENCH COLORED SOLDIERS AT THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL IN FRANCE.

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