Huntsville gazette., 1888-07-28
Blind Prejudice.

foolish exhibition OF preJudlce,a as that
town has exhibited for the past few
over the election of colored
member to its city Council.
We knew that Huntsville, re-
moved for its refined and cultivated
society, had all along set noble ex-
ample to all Southern towns in
magnaninity Of treatment ofits color
ed population, worthy ofpraise. But
we were not prepared for the revela-
tion Of such gross injustice and intol'
erance, from Knoxville. the princi-
pal city of a section long looked upon
as especially friendly to liberal ideas.
Colored officers have served with
distinction on the Board of Aldermen
of this city and in other positions OF
trust and responsibility for more than
decade. Such officers meet with
courteous treatment, serve on i'm
por ant committees and share with
their white fellow officials the honors
of their stations.
AS result there has followed very
cordial and friendly relations be-
tween the races, often remarked
among..visitors as not exceeded by
any city in the country. Fair treat
ment and becoming consideration
for justice secure contentment and
good will. Knoxville and other
places need to learn the lesson.
That regularly elected officer
had to seek the interference of the
Courts to shield him from proscript.
ion from his sworn duties on account
of the color prejudices Of his white
fellow Officers is a shame on Knox
vile and will scarcely be believed
ten years from to day. But such is
the case.
The following from the Knoxville
Tenn. Negro World relative to this
affair will be read with interest:
"The injunction case of the Rev.
]. c. Lawrence against the other
members of the Board of Education
vas up before Chancellor Gibsonand
resulted in an injunction being gran
ted This august body, by means Of
the injunction cannot hold meetings
without notifying Mr. Lawrence of
such meetings, permitting him to be
present and to exercise the privileges
and perform the duties Of his official
position. Now if Messrs. McCroskey
and Ingersoll don't want to associate
with Mr. Lawrence in a business
meeting Of the board let them step
down and out. There are other men
in the city, to take their places who
will reflect credid and honor upon
the board and city and the schools.
Below we give extracts from the
bill praying an injunction, showing
the prime cause Of the trouble, as
we'll as the position of and the res
possibility resting upon Mr.. Law.
renee:
"The defendants have entered into
an illegal Combine" and fraudul-
ent conspiracy, to exclude your
orator from having and enjoying his
rights and sharing in the duties and
responsibilities ofsaid board Of edu
cation.
Your orators position is one of
extreme delicacy, as he is one Of the
co!ored or African race, despised and
hated by many ignorant. prejudiced
people, for no other reason than that
his skin is black. He does not want
to thrust himself upon defendants,
and did not ask or seek the Office to
which he was elected. But the board
of mayor and alderman elected him
to the place, and as the colored
schools ofKnoxvillehave atleast one
fifth Of the scholastic population in
them, and as he was given the posi-
ton, no doubt, for the purpose of
having a member of the board Of eds
ucation who could look after the
colored schools, he feels that it is his
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