Title: "Let Us Keep Our Record Clear," Northwest Enterprise, 12/12/1941, (denshopd-i35-00153)
Densho ID: denshopd-i35-00153

Let Us Keep Our Record Clear
By E.I.R.

For more than three long years, Japan and the United States have been at sword's point. It was a case of watchful waiting. Japan never ceased her vigil. Somehow, somewhere, we have faltered. If we slept, it certainly was a rude awakening. The manner of attack, the loss of lives, the loss of ships and ammunition will always find a foremost place in the annals of our history.

As costly as was this treacherous attack, it served a higher purpose: A united nation meets the challenge. 130,000,000 Americans welded into an unbreakable unity. Not a man, not a woman will falter. They have but one determination, to do and to die.

Among these Americans are 15,000,000 Negroes, none of whom in their long and glorious record in wars, has ever smeared or fired on the flag. Nor have we ever spawned a Quizzling or a Benedict Arnold.

This war finds us in the midst of a glorious fight for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Today we call a truce to answer a higher duty, our country's call. If the Axis wins, we have no need for life, liberty or happiness. It will be beyond our reach.

The probability is that we have not heard the worst. But as long as war lasts, men, ships, and air planes must be lost.

Don't lose your head and commit crimes in the name of patriotism. As treacherous as was this unheralded attack on our country, it should bring no reprisals of innocent Japanese citizens on our shores. The same mob spirit which would single them out for slaughter or reprisal, has trailed you through the forest to string you up at some cross road.

These Japanese are not responsible for this war. They certainly are good citizens, they attend their own business, and are seldom if at all found in court. Especially is it tragic that these native born should be singled out for abuse, insult of injury. Only when mob spirit abounds can they be made to suffer. Mobs and mad dogs spew their venom without reason.

And right here is where our vaunted Christian religion may make its final stand. In your treatment of them ask yourselves: "What Would Jesus Do?"

The secret agents of this government will do a better job in ferreting out its enemies than you, and do it more efficiently.

Set an example for these un-American labor unions by your truce and unitedly tell them they too should suspend their strikes and direct their blows against the enemy, not their country and their homes in its hour of peril.

Lets' keep our record clear.