President Roosevelt in a message to the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, today condemned racial prejudice and bigotry in the United States and emphasized that “the unity of the nations fighting for a free world included men of every color and race, while the strength which this nation contributes to that unity depends at home on men of all races who are all Americans.”
The President issued his message in connection with the observance next Sunday of Race Relations Sunday which is being sponsored by the Federal Council, the constituency of which includes 140,000 congregations. President Roosevelt’s statement reads.
“I am grateful for the-opportunity to join with the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America in emphasizing the importance of the observance of Race Relations Sunday on February 13th. At no time in the twenty-two years of the observance of this day, dedicated to the Christian spirit in race relations, has its meaning been so significant to America and to mankind. The unity of the nations fighting for a free world includes men of every color and race. The strength which this nation contributes to that unity depends at home on men of all races who are also all Americans.
“Unfortunately, in this time when America requires greatness in its spirit, some of our citizens have betrayed our cause and damaged the world’s respect for our faith by acts of violence and prejudice, bigotry and division. Such men miss the meaning of America as they are incapable of understanding the brotherhood of men in terms of divine teaching and democratic living. Some such men deserve our censure. Some are entitled to our contempt. All require the never-ceasing reiteration of the Christian and American faith in the dignity of all peoples and right of all men to equal treatment in this land and on the earth.
“No institution can be more effective in the creation of the harmonious and warm-hearted relations of men of all races than the Christian Churches. I rejoice in your observance of Race Relations Sunday and take courage from the divine teachings that every day give emphasis to the spirit of brotherhood among men upon which our hopes for lasting peace beyond victory must depend.”
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