The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-10-14
HOW TO PREVJcNT LYNCHINGS

AL EuuCatCu Negroes views on the
| southern ProDlcm-Hc Seeks to
Restore the Sense OF Security
Which White Women Felt Filty
Years Ago.
Philadelphia Times.
NASHVILLE. Tenn, October AT
this time, when public attention is
directed to the discussion of the lynch
ing problem, which is now being con-
Quoted In nearly every large daily
newspaper in the Southern States, it
Is somewhat refreshing to hear what
the educated negro has to say, and to
learn Just what attitude he will assume
frof. w. IL. Council, president of the
Agricultural and Mechanical College
Tor Negroes, located at Normal, Ala
bama, distinguished himself u few
days ago by giving expression to senti-
ments which at first soanded unusual,
and called forth Il flood Of criticism
from certain class Of colored men
| from the North, who were attending
the Tennessee Centennial at Nash
vile, but were afterward received bv
the press as most dign!fed and
helpful contribution to the negro pro-
| blem.
Prof Councill is one of the most
eminent negro scholars in the United
|
throughout Europe. During his re.
cent travels abroad lie was very
graciously entertained by the Rev.
Charles Leach, d. d., the Hon. Will
liam f.. Gladstone aud his Majesty.
King Leopold. His position in the
State Of Alabama is one of dignity,
respectability, influence and great
responsibility, by reason of his judicious
ard successful management of one of
the largest educational institutions in
the South. He certainly merits the
utmost cor tidcnce of ali fair-minIrd
men and women, who respect the senti-
ments of an honorable and upright
citizen.
A large number Of representative
c0ored men, from all sections of the
country, had gathered at Nashville to
hold conference for the purpose Of
giving all questions affecting the
iegro race careful consideration
Prof. Councill was elected chairman
WAS termed ~ Negro Council" he
made u speech that created a. decided
sensation IN the Southern States. Ollv
q few days ago Mrs. w Ii. FELTON,, y
Southern white lady, delivered an
address before tho State Agricultural
Society at Carter sville, Ga, in which
she made an earnest appeal to what is
regarded, even by her own friends. as
the very worst passions Of men. She
recommended the continued assassina-
tiOn OF negroes who are SUSPECTED of
the crime of having committed as
saults upon white women. She cm
phasized the Importance Of Immediate
apprehension and punishment in ali
cases OF negro men assaulting white
womcn-but she had not the fairness
to mention any Other cases.
AS regards the position taken bv
| fr0f. Councill, this cannot be said
he evidences Il liberalism that is a
| compliment to his training. the
| Atlanta (Ga.) Constitution, the Louis.
vile (ky0 COurlcr-Journal, the Daily
Mercury, Of Huntsville, Ala, and a
great number OF other newspapers
have had nothing but commentator
Tor Mr.. COunCill. 1t is no disparayu-
mcnt nor discredit to the cultured,
well-educatcd and moro prosperous
element Of colored citizens to saw that
the dcpraved and ignorant class among
them must be lifted up morally and
intellectually before that class can ap-
prcclate the wisdom Of men like Mir.
Councill. In his eloquent address he
said in part:
The dep religious sense, the un-
swerving fidelity and Industrious hand,
the gentle, bloodless spirit of our
fathers, coupled with the Anglo Saxon
grit, intellectually and respect for
nobility OF soul, did much to overcome
prejudice, soften ,asperities, and have
transmitted to us a rich legacy Of char
| acter and reputation of which angels
| might we'll be proud. Let us guard tho
record of our fathers by making our
lives willing sacrifice on the affairs
| OF truth and virtue.
| I'm this connection | urge this coun-
ci! OF negroes to speak out in no un.
certain tones against outrages com
| mltted against the honor OF woman re-
gardle:s of race or color, aud against
lawlessness OF every kind. Let US hurl
all the powers Of our being against the
iiend, who, in violation of Gods holiest
law, and contrary to the laws OF the
land, whether by physical force or in.
| trlguo rObs woman of the most precious
jewel given by Heaven to earth. The
| frequency of violence to women il
alarming. We canno now st)p 20 nrpun
the nice points rs to the cause OF The
committing OF these incaruate foDds |
into u race hitherto with absolute i'm.
munlty from them. Nor have We time
10 pleaa that thcy are not the trusted |
| servants OF our Southern homes. nor can
we stop to appeal from Judge Lynch 10 |
tho maJe sty OF tre civil law, but we mus |
| stamp out the crane. Sufficient for us |
| 10 know that these crimes are soma.
times committed by negroes, to make
us hang our heads in shame and 90 in
| sackc 9th and ashes.
| Let us restore that sense of ecuritv
whlch Whlt9 women felt fifty years ago
In tho presence Of our fathers under
q ~ circumstances amid the most for.
bidding environments. We mus mako
the humblost white woman in the re-.
motest and widest part of our country
aooi "s, salo IN the presence Of anC-
with her "Unce Tom" Let ia
make the white woman of this land
and Of oil lands feel that our black arms
are ever ready, backed by hearts ~
pure as truth, as guilcless as babos, to
aelcnd their honor-that we are will.
ing to throw our black bodies bctwoor
them and their assailants, and shed our
blood to tho last drop in PROTECTING
them, and hunting down and exccutinS