Atlanta Daily World

NAACP
Philosophy
Deeply
Rooted
In
Americanism
Tobias
Declares

NEW YORK - Despite remaining racial discriminations and obstacles there is "ample ground for optimism" based upon the progress made during the past half-century, Dr. Channing H. Tobias, chairman of the NAACP Board of Directors, declared in the keynote address delivered here Monday night at the opening session of the Association's Golden Anniversary convention.

"In this 50th year of our organization, we can take justifiable pride in the notable progress made towards elimination of some of the grosser manifestations of racial prejudice." Dr. Tobias said.

NEW NATIONAL POLICY

"The official national policy is now against the forced separation of American citizens on the irrelevant and irrational basis of race," Dr. Tobias continued.

"Largely because of the success of our activities," the NAACP officer said, "life for the Negro in America today is far different from what it was in 1909.

"Gloom and despair have given way to confidence and hope. Lynching, which at the turn of the century was a twice-a-week Roman holiday, is now rare," he asserted.

Dr. Tobias pointed out that Negroes now occupy positions in private industry and public service which were undreamed of 50 years ago.

Americanism of NAACP

"The philosophy of the NAACP," Dr. Tobias noted, "is deeply rooted in Americanism, and particularly the humane and equalitarian principles of the Abolition movement.

The spiritual progenitor of our movement was William Lloyd Garrison, and not his contemporary, Karl Marx."

"From the outset," he continued, "the NAACP recognized, first, that its objectives could be secured only through orderly, democratic processes and, second, that equality of citizenship was unattainable within the framework of racial segregation."

"Faithful adherence to this program over a 50-year period has brought us measurably closer to our goal," the NAACP chairman said. "Sometimes the slow processes of democratic action have occasioned moments of despair" and raised the temptation to resort to direct action outside of the law.

To their everlasting credit, the officers and members of our Association throughout the country have shunned this temptation despite extreme provocation."

facilities and services, if 'equal,' were constitutional," he said.

Also speaking at this session in the New York Coliseum was Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller of New York. The convention will continue through the week, closing with a mammoth rally in the Polo Grounds, Sunday afternoon, July 19.

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NAACP Philosophy
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