Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-03
REACTION AGAINST MODS
Better Condition of Feeling Reported in the
g IL
South:
Register Lyons Says That He Observ-
ed Gratifying Change on His
Recent visit to Georgia.

JudSon w. Lyons the colored register of
the treasury, returned recently from a
trip to Georgia with gratifying report as
| to the condition of affairs in that state
! Mr. Lyons is a native of Georgia, and the
| deplorable acts of mob violence in the
| south, and especially in Georgia, have given
| him a great deal Of concern and he now
feeis that a decided reaction for the better
mas taken place, and that a more favorable
CONDITION in every way exists,
In speaking of impressions gained by his
trip, Mr.. Lyons said: 1T gives me genuine
pleasure to say that 1 am gratified to see
so many of the solid business men of the
south coming out in most emphatic way
for the supremacy of law and order and
against mob violence. That such a change
is taking place there can be no doubt and
think the reaction In this sense is espe-
clafly observable in Georgia. | believe it Is
going to result in giving back to the courts
their own in the matter of trying all per-
sons accused of crime, and Furnishing them
II, upon investigation, they are found
guilty. / believe that the good people have
discovered by recent occurrences that will
be best for all parties concerned and best
FOR the state. 1t is unquestionably certain
that those communities where life and
property are most secure and sacred are
the most prosperous.
THE state of Georgia has forged wonder
fully ahead in a commercial sense in the
last generation, and the colored man has
been an important factor in that develop
ment. Those people who look ahead Of
them minute are disposed to see that he
snail nave at least half chance before
the courts.
Treatment of CoIored Men.
Now, to illustrate, I attended meeting
of the Grand Lodge of Masons on St Johns
day at Americas, the home Of the late
Speaker Crisp. 1t is most pleasing indeed,
to visit this little metropolis of southwest
georgia, city OF about 1900 inhabitants,
with electric lights, sewerage, artesian
wells, and all modern city improvements
with splendid three and four-story brick
buildings for business houses banks and
offices. Quite a large percentage of the
population are colored, and it was extreme
~ gratifying to me to see how friendly the
Two races live together in this southwest
Georgia town. The Grand Lodge is COM
posed of coored men entirely-probably
TOUR hundred or more in all-and from near
ly every section of the state. They were
received by the entire people of the little
CITY with the utmost warmth and cor
diality, and were told to make themselves
at home and to feel that they were entirely
welcome. By their every action the good
people, white and colored, made US feel
hands of friends
by the way, there are half dozen or
more colored merchants in Americas and
they do splendid business, carrying stocks
of from $1,000 to $1,000. l was told by
some of the bankers that these colored
merchants are No business men and
that their paper always goes for its face
value. There are three or four colored
physicians in the city, all doing well, and
all are living in perfect peace with their
nelghbors. 1 mention these things because
they are simply a sample of what is to be
found in the Georgia towns generally. All
the people of the state need to do is to
make up their minds that the law must be
upheld first, last and all the time and for
Its supremacy the white man and the black
man are unalterably pledged, and they will
soon take the position IN the commercial
world that their varied and diversified re-
sources entitle them tor
brighter Outlook.
"Then you regard the outlook as much
brighter for the colored man in the south?'
the register was asked. ~
Yes; and not alone for the colored man,
but for the entire people. i can but feel
that the future is bright, and that a sound
and healthy public sentiment will soon nut
down such terrifying mob outrages as have
dlsgraced the south, and especially Georgia
This reaction has come about a great deal
more rapidly than / had hoped for but |
believe that the right-thinking people of
Georgia would soon see that a change must
necessarily be brought about. I wish to
repeat that l am gratiffed, am rejofced at
the changes which are being wrought 1t
is undoubtedly the daWning of better and
brighter days for the people of my state