and the privileges of citizenship.  In such a country the law can know no difference of race or class or creed, provided all are devoted to the general welfare.  Such is the obligation resting upon the United States—­such the challenge of social, economic, and moral questions such as never before faced the children of men.  That she be worthy of her opportunity all would pray; to the fulfilment of her destiny all should help.  The eyes of the world are upon her; the scepter of the ages is in her hand.

2. The Negro in American Life

If now we come to the Negro in the United States, it is hardly an exaggeration to say that no other race in the American body politic, not even the Anglo-Saxon, has been studied more critically than this one, and treatment has varied all the way from the celebration of virtues to the bitterest hostility and malignity.  It is clearly fundamentally necessary to pay some attention to racial characteristics and gifts.  In recent years there has been much discussion from the standpoint of biology, and special emphasis has been placed on the emotional temperament of the race.  The Negro, however, submits that in the United States he has not been chiefly responsible for such miscegenation as has taken place; but he is not content to rest simply upon a tu quoque.  He calls attention to the fact that whereas it has been charged that lynchings find their excuse in rape, it has been shown again and again that this crime is the excuse for only one-fourth or one-fifth of the cases of violence.  If for the moment we suppose that there is no question about guilt in a fourth or a fifth of the cases, the overwhelming fraction that remains indicates that there are other factors of the highest importance that have to be considered in any ultimate adjustment of the situation.  In every case accordingly the Negro asks only for a fair trial in court—­not too hurried; and he knows that in many instances a calm study of the facts will reveal nothing more than fright or hysteria on the part of a woman or even other circumstances not more incriminating.

Unfortunately the whole question of the Negro has been beclouded by misrepresentation as has no other social question before the American people, and the race asks simply first of all that the tissue of depreciation raised by prejudice be done away with in order that it may be judged and estimated for its quality.  America can make no charges against any element of her population while she denies the fundamental right of citizenships—­the protection of the individual person.  Too often mistakes are made, and no man is so humble or so low that he should be deprived of his life without due process of law.  The Negro undoubtedly has faults.  At the same time, in order that his gifts may receive just consideration, the tradition of burlesque must for the time being be forgotten.  All stories about razors, chickens, and watermelons must be relegated to the rear; and even the revered and beloved “black mammy” must receive an affectionate but a long farewell.