Various

“ Can Americans who believe in justice and equal opportunity to all afford to see these men deprived of their rights? These people have shown that they can successfully take part in the industrial life of the South. But what good will that do unless they can protect the fruits of their labor by means of the ballot—the ballot that elects the representatives who make the laws—the ballot which elects the judges who enforce them? ”

“ As a result of it all, the law of retributive justice brings it about that the South is the retarding cog in the machinery of our democracy. World conditions demand that the machine be set in prime to meet future responsibilities and duties.
The problem is neither local or racial—it is national. It is not a matter of racial misunderstanding involving only one section of the country. It is a matter of eleven million citizens of the United States being subjected to flagrant injustice. Its solution involves not only the welfare of my race, but the future of the Republic. ”

“ Your face, unlike the rest of your body, is continually exposed to wind and weather, dirt and dust, and demands especial care. In very few cases, indeed, can the skin be neglected and yet retain its freshness and purity. The greater the natural beauty and refinement of your complexion, the more perishable it is and the more faithfully should you attend to its preservation.
Help your skin to overcome every obstacle, to combat every enemy. Go to your mirror. Ask yourself these questions: Has the skin a good, clear coloring, a natural glow? Has it a smooth, soft finish? Fine, even pores? ”

“ As the Race Problem is ever with us, we shall discuss and shall entertain discussions of the same from time to time. We appreciate that we are now living in a commercial era and that the factors of paramount importance in the solution of this problem are economy, industry—the making and saving of money—and business development. We also appreciate that in the upbuilding of the race, unity, co-operation and race patronage are essential. We believe where other things being equal, our business enterprises should receive the patronage of our leaders as well as the masses. ”

“ You can easily see the dilemma which exists in the South today where segregation is enforced. If we are not thrifty and have no desire for education and moral uplift, we are depicted to the world as the most worthless of human beings. On the other hand, if we wish to develop ourselves and our children into citizens worthy of this great Republic, in the South we are prevented by the Law. ”

“ The policy of the South is illogical, inconsistent, indefensible. Unless the South squarely faces the problem before its doors, unless it seeks to solve the problem instead of repressing it, and deals with the problem with intelligence and sympathy, then inevitably there must result, for my people and for yours, stagnation, disease and death! ”

“ It is to the interest of the South to have a spiritual awakening, if it hopes to develop its material and civil resources.
The National government that poured out its treasures and the blood of its sons that men might be free, cannot stop short of their full enfranchisement through the freedom of knowledge and culture. ”

“ We have faith in the Union of knowledge, cheerful co-operation, and broad-minded sympathy to advance the common good. Let us pray God that the heart hurting plights of race dislikes, the sectional differences and racial animosities and suspicions will pass away, and their place be taken by that broader republic of human attainment which knows no limitations of race, color, or clime! ”

“ A correct and permanent solution of this problem involves the ready co-operation of the colored race, the South, and the National government. The colored race, which constitutes one-third of the population of the South, is such a factor in the life of the South, that no plan of civil and material welfare can ignore his rights if it hopes to reach the highest success. We are learning the value of industrial independence and education. Leaders of my race are coming forward, men of ideals and of vision, who are giving to millions inspiration, ambition and hope. ”

“ Given but the opportunity, we will help to make industrious, intelligent and patriotic citizens of our people.
Today the South is half a century behind the North in the development of her resources and her industries. It is to the interest of the South to learn that the time spent in repressing the negro is just that much time lost from the promotion of its industrial and civic welfare. It is to the interest of the South to learn that those efforts which tend to curtail the fullest growth of one-third of this population must inevitably curtail the fullest growth of the South itself. ”

“ BUSINESS SENSE. (Chicago Defender.)
Business, generally speaking, is a new thing with most members of the race, so it is not surprising to find a large percentage of failures among those who venture in it. There are a great many reasons why success does not come more often, the first being that hackneyed expression “unpreparedness.” A railroad man, for instance, may accumulate a little money and open up a grocery store. Having had no experience, he neither knows how to buy or to sell. If he prospers, it is simply by sheer luck and not due to any business knowledge. ”

“ Look upon your skin as an organ, an organ that must continually perform an important duty in relieving the system of impurities.
Like the rest of your body, the skin requires nutrition and the utmost cleanliness if it is to be healthy.
It is easy to appreciate the importance of keeping the pores active, when we stop to think that when the surface skin is destroyed, and the pore action interrupted, as in cases of severe burns, the danger is grave and that when as much as one-third of the body is so affected death is inevitable. ”

“ Many people open stores in the heart of what is termed “the black belt,” offer inferior goods, poor service, and ask high prices, and expect because the skin of those around them happens to be the same as theirs, that they are in duty bound to “trade with one of their own color.” In other words, the customer is asked to measure his race pride in dollars and cents. If he can get a good can of tomatoes across the way for 15 cents, he is expected to pay the same price or more for an inferior quality from the brother in mourning. ”

“ In either case, if the best results are to be realized, it is necessary that in every section of the country the fundamental principles upon which our democracy is based shall be properly administered. If we are to be really prepared for any emergency, then the vital principles of this government must be understood by every man. Every section of our great country and every man in it must know that this country stands for justice and equal opportunities to all, and that each man is to be permitted to work out and develop himself to his highest powers. ”

“ We have learned the lesson well that as mechanics or any skilled workmen we must equal the best if we would even get scant recognition. The color line in the labor field is drawn taut, yet here and there the line is broken and employment given us. The new business man must realize he must be fitted for what he undertakes. He wouldn’t attempt to repair a watch without having gone through an apprenticeship in watch repairing. Why start a grocery, meat market, haberdashery, etc., before acquainting yourself with the particular line you wish to engage in? ”

“ We are aware of the fact that we are in the midst of a people that is the product of twenty centuries of human progress.
At present we have every reason to be hopeful. When, during the last half of the nineteenth century, the cries of my people were for charitable help to combat ignorance and poverty, the philanthropists of the North responded in the form of Morehouse, Fiske, Tuskegee and other institutions of both higher education and industrial training. These schools today have thousands of graduates scattered in all parts of the South, giving their lives in fighting poverty and ignorance. ”

“ The skin of the face is constantly exposed. In every tiny pore dust and dirt are bound to accumulate. Unless your skin is kept in perfect health, with every tiny pore active, these impurities make themselves evident in the form of blackheads. These little black pests are frequently found where the circulation is sluggish and the pores less active—on the forehead, between the eyes, over the nose, about the chin and sometimes on the ears.
Cleanliness is the principal secret of the clear, blackheadless skin and nothing will so effectively get down into the pores as a cream. ”

“ Our skin is naturally beautiful—what could be more exquisite than the skin of a baby? And it would remain so if we did not continually violate the laws of Nature. Sins of diet are so common; overeating, eating in haste, eating between meals, and we overdress and underventilate, many of us get little or no exercise and spend too much time in the confinement of our homes. While it is, of course, impossible to alter the conditions of modern life, with intelligent care you can counteract their disastrous effects on your complexion. ”

“ Segregation does not simply mean that the races live apart in separate districts. It means that these segregated divisions for colored people will be almost automatically converted into slums. For, in them police improvement and sanitation will be of the poorest sort, appropriations for street improvement and sanitation will be few and far between. It means that there will be no escape from this environment within the city limits for even the most worthy and aspiring citizens of my race. ”

“ A corps of trained fashion experts of our race in Chicago and New York have been engaged and will especially feature our people in the latest styles.
The advertisements of a modern publication have become one of its most important features, as it is the medium by which the manufacturer or distributor and the consumer are brought together. It is a fact that many persons are more interested in the advertisements of a publication than in any other of its features, which is evidenced by the fact that they often read the advertisements first ”

“ Rub it well into your pores before you go out, dust your face over with a good Face Powder, in the shade that blends best with your complexion, and, thus safeguarded, you will find that you can spend a day out of doors, at the beach, without the slightest injury.
Cleanliness, immaculate cleanliness, is the first essential to a healthy skin. If you would rejoice in a skin that is fresh-looking, clean and therefore beautiful, never let a day go by without bathing the entire body with a good, pure Toilet Soap. ”

“ A pleasing expression is requisite to the beautiful face, but it is impossible to have a set rule for the cultivation of a good disposition, because of the variation in our individual personalities. However, I will suggest a few things that will help to make us more beautiful.
Suppose we start with the skin. The knowledge that our skin is clear and attractive will doubtless help us to wear a smile and give us the much-desired cheerful countenance. ”

“ Frequently, in the larger cities, audible comments are passed upon the women as they pass down the streets,—all these things show a lack of respect. Possibly some of it is thoughtlessness, but it is none the less annoying; that is why the women of the National Association are urging our men to show more respect for womankind. ”

“ The total number of qualified voters in the state today will not aggregate more than 200,000. There are 181,000 colored male citizens of voting age in Alabama today, at least 8,000 of whom are college graduates, and yet there are only 3,000 of them permitted to register and vote. Nevertheless, ladies and gentlemen, these people are counted as a basis of representation, and since they are denied the ballot they are even misrepresented, and the power of those who do the injustice is doubled. ”

“ Climbing is hard work, but it is worth while, and when the top is reached, even though you are weary, you hold something tightly in your grasp that the world cannot take from you—experience. And, after all, that is the one great thing in life that brings success. ”

“ A number of resolutions adopted at the last biennial session, held at Wilberforce in 1914, show that they are trying to live up to their motto, “Lifting as we climb,” by lifting the moral status of the race. They endorse National Constitutional Prohibition because it will save not only our present race, but posterity, from the consequences of alcohol. Statistics show that more colored people die of tuberculosis and other filth diseases every year than any other race. ”

“ When such persons do something for the advancement of the race we will be pleased to make note thereof, but we will not use valuable space in rehashing and gleaming before the public, falsely assumed virtues and accomplishments to which they are not entitled, but for which they have been given credit solely for the reason that they have “divied up” with someone, to falsely represent them before the public. ”

“ We believe in truthfulness in advertising, and, therefore, will not knowingly insert in our columns, false or extremely exaggerated advertisements; nor will we accept the advertisements of clairvoyants, fortune tellers, promoters of questionable oil wells or mining stocks or other get-rich-quick concerns as have fleeced our people in the past. It is our intention to investigate the responsibility and reliability of each advertiser before we accept same for publication. ”

“ If we ask for those privileges of the law to which we are entitled, we are told we are not yet ready for them. If we ask for the opportunity to prepare to exercise those privileges, we are told we would not make use of them if we had them—and they are denied to us. ”

“ To be beneficial, massage must be regular, firm and gentle. A rotary motion should be used on the chin, cheeks and forehead. No rubbing should ever be done until the face is washed perfectly clean in warm water and soap. Because of its cleansing, skin-softening properties, a green soap is well suited to use in preparing the face for massage. Then apply a good massage cream to the dry skin and rub well into the pores. Continue massaging the skin until the cream rolls out. The thorough rubbing out of the cream is important. ”

“ Patti, said it was impossible to overestimate the importance of keeping the skin well fed with oils and cream.
Know That You Use a Reliable Complexion Powder
Beware of powders that create dryness of the skin. The purity of a face powder is more important than many realize. The presence of bismuth, arsenic, white lead and other mineral or alkaline substances make many powders unfit for use on the skin. A good, pure complexion powder is beneficial to the skin, in protecting it from dirt, wind and sun. ”

“ This issue of the Half-Century was delayed so as to include a review of the proceedings of the National Republican Convention which assembled in this city on June 7th.
From a Racial standpoint the convention was somewhat a disappointment, as it furnished conclusive proof that the Negro is gradually, but surely, being eliminated from National Politics. For notwithstanding practically all of the “old guards” of the race were here—they were principally “hangers-on”—members of the “third house,” or contestants, as but few of them were regular delegates or even alternates. ”