From The Voice of Ethiopia
May 20th, 1939 By Warren Harrigan
The Spirit of the Federation
If men cannot retain and promote peace and good will in their own families how can they hope to fight successfully against an outside adversary? He who would regain the rights taken away from him by an enemy must first see to it that his own house is set in order that a deep spirit of peace and good will reigns in his own boundaries. If he secures this then he can hope to struggle successfully against the common adversary, for then his forces will be united. The principle will reign in his own home.
“If in the act of making sacrifice ye find that ye have fought against the brother, leave there the gift at the altar. First be reconciled to thy brother then come and offer thy gift.”
Spirit of Federation
The Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated sets as one of its objectives “the promotion of love and good will among Ethiopians at home and abroad.” The Federation is bound and determined to promote and insist on the growth of this spirit of love among its members and among all Black peoples.
The possession of this spirit is fundamental. It is an absolutely necessary antecedent to the realization of other objectives, including a place in the Sun for the Sons of Ham. Let the Black World set up a Kingdom of love and not one of force. Let a spirit of equality and fraternity reign. Let us remember that we seek condition in which all Black men can live comfortably. Let us denounce that peculiar state of living in which a minority of the people possesses all the wealth and the great majority starve. Let us remember that all Black men are brothers and cease fighting with each other.
It is written “he who would be chief amongst you let him be your servant.” Let us avoid conceit and so maintain the spirit of the Federation- Internal peace, goodwill, love humility, for we have much work to do.
Aims and objects
To promote love and good-will among Ethiopians at home and abroad and thereby to maintain the integrity and sovereignty of Ethiopia, to disseminate the ancient Ethiopian culture among its members, to correct abuses, relieve oppression and carve for ourselves and our posterity, a destiny comparable with our idea of perfect manhood and God’s purpose in creating us; that we may not only save ourselves from annihilation, but carve for ourselves a place in the Sun: in this endeavor, we determine to seek peace and pursue it, for it is the will of God for man.
