False Patriotism

From: Washington Bee, March 19, 1898

TRANSCRIPT

FALSE PATRIOTISM

Washington Bee, March 19, 1898

To those who are professing such ardent patriotism and indulging in such blooming newspaper correspondence, ought at least manifest that medium of modesty becoming persons of such high pretensions. The fact is, that there has been no disposition manifested on the part of those preparing for the war to unite the colored brothers to assist them in subjugating Spain. The metropolitan journals have been teeming with articles boasting of the bravery and patriotism of the Americans of the Anglo-Saxon descent, but not a word of encouragement or compliment to the Americans of the African descent. Moreover if the conduct of leading Americans who run things in the South are to be a marker by which to measure our acceptability as soldiers, citizens or patriots we need be in no doubt in the matter. The uniform barbarity practiced upon law abiding colored citizens in the South, ought to be a strong reminder that at least in that section, the colored brother has no reason to claim this as his country, [and] consequently cannot or ought not enthuse as [an] American patriot. The murder of Baker and his innocent family expresses sufficient proof of this. The nation though boasting of love of liberty and fair dealing, of protection to its citizens, seems either powerless or indisposed to make its boasting true where the colored citizen is concerned. And until this country is able, or shows a disposition to prove to the world that it is the true and honest champion of human rights and the rights of her own citizens, the colored brother shows but slavish disposition to rush forward to prove his fidelity.

The fidelity of the colored people has been fully tested. They have been true under all circumstances and at all times. It was shown in their manly defense of the Union when assaulted by traitors. It was shown on the plantation while their mothers were in the field battling for continual enslavement. But fidelity is at times an expression of race weakness especially when it is regarded by the erstwhile beneficiaries as a species of groveling sycophancy. And, judging from our general treatment, that is about the size of it. Hence while we may be loyal and patriotic, while our blood may boil for revenge upon those Spanish brutes who have spared neither woman nor child even in their diabolical butchery, yet common sense and experience ought to teach that severe silence becomes us. When we shall have been treated as men and accorded the rights for which we voted and fought, when we can consistently claim the right as free American citizens to demand the emancipation of others in bondage, then we can afford to publish our loyalty, then can we make haste to prove that we possess our full share of patriotism. It is inconsistent for practical slaves to fight for the freedom of others when a brave stand is necessary in order to procure liberty for themselves. Wisdom dictates silence in this case. Loud boasting will catch no fish.