nineteen hundred and forty-six - Amazon Web Services

PROCEEDINGS
problem, such as radical demands for immediate and complete removal of these,
discriminations, on one hand, and an equally radical insistence on the other
that traditional status quo be maintained. These two extremes in a single year
can easily nullify the progress of a decade, if they are permitted to be the
only voices that are heard and if racial prejudice in either or both races is
allowed to prevail over reason.
In spite of such discouraging outbreaks of hatred as that which occurred
recently in Columbia, Tennessee, which is to be deplored and condemned, the
total picture of race relations is encouraging. There was only one lynching in
1945. In 1945 more Negroes were allowed to vote than since restrictive laws
were passed, and without any popular excitement. It was to be expected that
in some states they would be challenged in order to test the Supreme Court
ruling that Negroes had a right to vote in primary elections. In some states
schemes will be adopted (such as repealing all state laws governing primaries)
to nullify the ruling. But the general reaction of our citizenship seems to
indicate that the determination of the Federal government to support and
guarantee the Negroes' right of suffrage on equal terms with other citizens,
will cause no serious social upheaval, but rather that the qualifications for
suffrage will be made to restrict the incompetent in both races alike and give
the right of suffrage to all who are competent. It is certainly within the power
of the Christian citizenship of the South to see this advance through to a just
and peaceful end.
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A TASK FOR BAPTISTS
We repeat a paragraph from last year's report of the Commission: We believe
that the Southern Baptist Convention should take the initiative in cooperation
with our Negro brethren in making a definite contribution toward the guidance
of both races in these public relationships which are peculiarly our concern.
Labor Unions are showing their interest in the problem, but for particular
purposes; political parties are interested, but for political ends; social scientists
are studying it as a population problem; and others for humanitarian ends. We
must face it as it concerns the moral and spiritual welfare of all the people of
our land and in the spirit of Jesus Christ who loved and served all who were
oppressed and in need. Today for reasons that are too obvious the challenge is
urgent that we should study afresh what we ought to do and can do that will
be constructive in social peace and in proof of our faith.
Accordingly we are proposing (in a separate recommendation) that a special
committee be appointed to make a serious and thorough * study of the race
situation in the South as it relates to the moral and spiritual welfare of all our
people, inviting the cooperation of Negro Baptist leaders in the study; and that
this committee bring to the Convention a suggested program of service and cooperation,
and recommendations looking toward more definite and helpful
cooperation with our Negro brethren in those matters which will mean so
much to the future of both races and the advancement of the gospel. We believe
that Southern Baptists have an opportunity that is given to none else to
serve in this crucial period in our national life. The Negro churches and
schools need us; the Negro preachers and lay leaders need us; the three and a
half million Negro Baptists need us; the thirteen million Negroes of the nation
need us; our country needs us—to stand in the breach and become God's servants
of healing and righteousness and peace.
MILITARY CONSCRIPTION AND PEACE
Long before the surrender of Germany and Japan the military leaders of
the United States began to plan for universal and compulsory military training
For nearly two years they have brought every pressure to bear upon Congress
and the public. At the present moment, seeing the impossibility of passing such
a law, they have temporarily abandoned the effort for a substitute measure
to extend the Selective Service Act. On April 9th the House Military Affairs
Committee voted in favor of a nine months extension of that Act to draft men
from 18 to 30 (fathers exempted) for 18 months of service and ten years in
reserve. Whether this will pass remains to be seen. But whatever happens
the question of peace-time conscription of American youth is not dead. Its
proponents under necessity are only pausing in order to find a better strategy.
There is a determined effort to militarize our nation and keep military might
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