The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-30
The HogansvilIe Post once.

The shooting Of the negro Postmaster at
Hogansville, Georgia, continues to be the
topic Of newspaper editorials, preachers
sermons, and generally extended discussion.
The facts have been fully stated in our
news columns. LoFTIN, the Postmaster.
is an influential colored man who was a
delegate to the st. Louis convention which
nominated MCKINLEY. The white people
at HoRansville, who are described as most
worthy and law-abiding, objected to the
appointment Of a negro as Postmaster for
their village, n they made an agreement
among themselves to kill LoFT1N If he was
appointed, and to kill any other negro who
should succeed him. LoFTIN was shot from
ambush, according to programme, as soon
as he got the office and notice was served
on the Federal Government that the re.
naming part of the compact would be car
ried out as soon as another negro was in
stalled in the Post Office. Feeling runs
very high among the Hogansville citizens,
and there is no doubt that they are deter
mined to stand no nonsense from Washing
ton in the matter.
We do not think we are putting 1t too
strongly to say that the white people in
the northern part of the United States re-
gard the attitude of the Hogansville citi-
zens with disapproval. The only debate is
as to the exact course which the Federal
Government ought to take in the compli-
Gated case. 1t is held in soma quarters
that the proper thing for the A%dministra-
ton to do is to decide and definitely an.
nounce that hereafter negroes will not be
appointed as Postmasters. 1t is explained
that to see negroes in Post Offices or other
Federal Offices is very distasteful to South.
erners, and IL Mr.. MCKINLEY is wise he
will face the fact and not try to alter the
nature of a high-strung people. If a col
ored man wants to be Postmaster in the
South, let him get himself elected by a
popular vote Of the patrons of the Office.
Then If he is appointed there will no shoot
ing. Such Is the solution of the difficulty,
advocated with great vigor by that typi-
cally patriotic and courageous American
citizen, Mr.. GoDKIN, the editor of a news.
paper owned by the daughter of WILLIAM
LLOYD GARRISON.
On the other hand, there are those who
declare that the shooting of this poor
negro Is an affront han which there could
be none carrying a more wanton or blacker
infamy to the majesty and honor of the
whole people of this proud country. They
are in favor Of Furnishing the assassins and
protecting whomsoever the President
chooses to appoint to Post Offices or any
other offices in Georgia, even If the entire
State is put under martial law and the
entire army of the United States stands
with fixed bayonets around 1t.
We do not ~sympathize with either of
these views. One is beneath contempt, the
other offers a remedy worse than the dis
ease. There Is a cure ready at Mr.. No
KINLEY's hands, mild, proper, and effectual.
Let him discontinue the Hogansville Post
Office. Let the white people In that neigh.
borhood, If they cannot endure a Federal
servant who has been lawfully named and
Is faithfully performing his duties, go
without the Federal postal service. Do not
force them to get their letters from a col.
ored Postmaster II 1t Is %repugnant to them.
Give them full permission to get their mail
from the nearest white Postmaster, at a dis
lance of fifteen or twenty miles. Let 1t be
understood that this Is the policy of the
Administration regarding any place, great
or small, North or South, where the Post
master is in danger of assassination or NAL.
treatment from the chivalrous people of the
neighborhood. Probably after one note
worthy application of this policy the kill.
ing of negro Postmasters will cease.