Voices of History Video Project
Letters to the Editor and Editorials, Peekskill Evening Star
The story of the first concert of August 27, 1949
The story of the second concert of September 3, 1949
Letters to the Editor and Editorials, Peekskill Evening Star
A few years before the Robeson concert, Klu Klux Klan decided to stage a rally in Verplanck. Some members of the community did not wish this to happen. After all, these people were not local. Men of the town met the marchers with baseball bats and beat them up. That was the last of the Klan in Verplanck for a long while. This practice of using baseball bats and fists to settle differences of opinion was something that would be repeated in 1949.
Vincent Boyle, a native of the area, had no doubt as to the proper course of action. His letter was one of the first to appear in the local paper.
*August 18th, 1949: Letter to the Editor, Peekskill Evening Star
Dear Sir:
Paul Robeson and his followers are due to appear here August 27th. It is unfortunate that some of the weaker minded among us may be susceptible to their fallacious teachings unless something is done by the loyal Americans of this area. Quite a few years ago a similar organization, the Klu Klux Klan, appeared in Verplanck and received their just rewards. Needless to say they have have never returned. I am not intimating violence in this case, but I believe that we should strive to find a remedy that will cope with the situation in the same way as Verplanck and with the same results.
The irony of this meeting is that they intend to appear at Lakeland Acres Picnic Area directly across from Hillside and Assumption Cemeteries. Yes, directly across the street from the resting place of those men who paid the supreme sacrifice to in order to insure our democratic form of government. Are we, as loyal Americans, going to forget these men and the principals the died for or are we going to rid ourselves of the subversive organization? If we tolerate organizations such as this we are apt to face a repetition of the past, in our near future.
If we have not forgotten the war, let us cooperate with the American Legion and similar veteran organizations and vehemently oppose their appearance. Let us leave no doubt in their mind that they are unwelcome around here, either now or in the future. So far, no action has been taken by organizations or individuals about this rally but I trust that it will be acted upon by the proper authorities.
Sincerely,
Vincent Boyle
Not everyone agreed on this issue. Opinion was divided in the summer colonies as well as in the town. There were staunch defenders of Robeson's right to perform and the right of people to assemble in both places. People spoke out on both sides of the issue. Mary Mobile was a year round resident who did not hesitate to speak her mind.
*August 24th 1949: Letter to the Editor, Peekskill Evening Star
Sir:
Two years ago when Mr. Robeson made his first appearance in Peekskill the American Legion, those great defenders of American Culture, made a great to-do in the press and demanded that all loyal Americans shun the concert. It was very pleasant to note that a large number of loyal Americans paid them no mind and the concert was a great success.
Mr. Robeson, a great and serious artist, has the right to appear whenever he wishes, under the auspices of any organization whatsoever, even if Mr. Clark thinks that organization is "subversive" even if its membership consists entirely of Communists, Anarchists or Fascists. Mr. Robeson also has a right to be a Communist himself - IF he is one - a subject on which I have no first hand knowledge AND NEITHER DO YOU.
If the assembly is peaceful and no overt acts against our government are committed he and and the people who come to hear him have the right to be protected. These rights, I might remind you, are granted to all people under the Constitution of the United States. No opinion by an Attorney General that an organization is "subversive" can ever change these rights. and if they are ever changed, by law or fiat, God help the United States of America.
I am not a Communist and I have a firm faith in the Constitution of our country. I do not believe that it is going to be undermined every time someone holds an unpopular meeting and I do not think that we shall be subverted because Mr. Robeson is going to sing for an organization that will help the Negro people, even if some of them are communists.
I firmly believe that we are in far more danger from the attitude that you and your correspondent have taken than we would be from a million Communists. This hysteria which you are attempting to stir up can do more harm in our community than anything it may be designed to prevent. I hope that God will give you sense to view things a little more objectively and that Mr. Robeson's concert will be well attended and enjoy the success that a performance by an artist or his high attainment deserves.
Yours Truly,
Mary Mobile
This Editors Note appeared after Mary Mobile's letter:
*Editors Note:
Mr. Robeson's political stature has become more crystal clear to the American public than it was on his first appearance here two years ago.
Chester Rick was the owner of the property where the first concert was to be held. Many felt he was a brave man. Others felt that he was foolish. His family had problems for years as the result of the stand he took for his principles.
*August 25th: Letter to the Editor, Peekskill Evening Star
Dear Sir:
When I was approached a year ago by the committee for permission to hold the Robeson Concert on my property, I had no doubt that the affair was sponsored by a Communist affiliation. It was a demonstration of my firm belief in the importance of maintaining free speech and the right of orderly assembly that I granted permission and would do so again in a similar situation - cognizant, that if the situation were reversed a Communist would not grant a similar privilege.
Yours Truly,
Chester Rick.
Remember that the daily local paper was an important part of life in 1949. It's place had not yet been usurped by television. It was a loud and important voice in community affairs. People read the paper and took the opinions that were expressed there seriously. The Peekskill Star took a stand that was clear and consistent.
August 27th, 1949 Peekskill Evening Star, Editorial. (This same editorial also appeared in other newspapers throughout the county of Westchester.)
Minority Intolerance
Sponsors of the Paul Robeson concert to held this evening in Peekskill have protested to the county Executive and to the District Attorney because the Peekskill Evening Star has told its readers in plain language on the front page just exactly the kind of man Robeson is and just who are his political sponsors.
Those who protest this frank newspaper treatment are always the first to cry aloud for the right of free speech when they think their own civil rights imperiled. In fact, it is not at all unusual that minorities who are the most vehement in demand of their own rights are the most intolerant in granting similar privileges to the majority.
But perhaps we are being a bit uncharitable.
Maybe the situation with regard to the Robeson concert is that the tickets haven't been selling any too well and a little publicity is considered desirable...
The concert was scheduled for August 27. Veterans stood on both sides of this issue. On the day of the first concert Arthur Reich spoke of decency in his letter to the editor.
*August 27th, 1949: Letter to the Editor, Peekskill Evening Star
Dear Sir:
I am a veteran also. As such, I believe that I have as much right to speak out against this proposed rallying as any of my ex-buddies. I feel that we have been misguided. The veterans of this area have been incited by a handful or overzealous individuals.
As for Mr. Robeson - I have the utmost admiration for his musical, athletic and scholastic accomplishments. I may not be in accord with his approach to achieving the brotherhood of all mankind, but we owe him the tolerance of his beliefs and to ourselves we owe the self-respect and decency of allowing him to speak and be heard by any and all who so desire.
Sincerely,
Arthur Reich
© Marilyn Elie 1998
Last Updated: 11/13/07