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Memosiiatn Bro. C. Anderson Davis
It is quite fitting and right that we should speak some word of praise for those who labored on this earth for great causes and have now gone to their eternal reward. Our memory of those who have passed this span of life should be more than words, more than dreams, more than sadness. Lincoln in his Gettysburg address struck a more meaningful note for our devotion: "It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us; " Most everyone has some dream in life which he hopes and prays will
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come true. But sometimes our dreams fail us. It is not the rule of life that all of our fondest dreams fail but when they do; how shall we face this failure? The real test of life is not in our successes but in overcoming our failures. Thus it seems to me that our thinking about death and memorials should be more far-reaching. We might think in terms of continuing the dreams of our loved ones by preparing the youth around us for a more significant task. It takes faith to pick up the pieces of our failures and put them together again. Faith in life instead of escape in death is the answer to shattered dreams. "Strong Son of God. immortal Love Whom we that have not seen thy face, By faith, and faith alone, embrace, Believing where we cannot prove;"
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Without a doubpt, the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln, J a n u a r y 1, 1863, was one of the most important acts of the century and it is highly proper and important that we make this 100th anniversary a great success. The success of the occasion will depend upon our projections for the future. Too much cannot be said about this for it is important that our people realize the importance of working together for the goals which we hope to obtain. Sacrifice, action, cooperation are key words in our success. Let us not be
fooled into believing that our freedom and first class citizenship will be given to us. Freedom is something that cannot be given, it must be earned if the soul as well as the body would be free. The question that every Negro should ask himself during 1963: "What am I doing and what sacrifices am I making that we may be truly free?" With the new found freedom which we are seeking comes new responsibility. Only the responsible citizen may expect to enjoy the fruits of progress and freedom. There will be a nationwide Century of Negro Exposition in Chicago, 111.,
Artists have often portrayed the attitudes of men when their dreams fail. The book of Deuteronomy, for instance, shows Moses leaning on his companion Aaron. His dreams of entering the Promised Land has failed and he must relinquish his leadership of Israel. But there was a brighter side, he had p r e pared someone to pick up the pieces and move forward. He had shared his life with others, thus others kept his dream alive and Moses also lived. Our dreams can become a part of an endless line of splendor if our lives are shared by and blended into the lives of others. Our memorial to those who have dreamed and labored for good and have passed beyond our physical sight might prove more meaningful if we rededicate ourselves to the task r e maining before us.
P *iacla*natio*i August 16 through September 2, 1963, sponsored by the American Negro Emancipation Centennial Authority, 1963, Inc., 4339 S. Drexel Blvd., Chicago 53, 111. Objectives of the celebration are: To show that Democracy affords opportunity for growth and development of all segments of its people. To establish the "true image" of the American Negro in the light of his contributions to, and sacrifices for, progress and national independence. To establish a permanent Museum of Negro History and Archaeology.
' A CENTURY OF
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