Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-12
COUNCIL MAKES APPEAL
Afro American Organization Asks for Pro-
lection for Negro Race.
Lynchings Referred to as "Hurtful
and Destructive to Best Inter-
ests of Both Races"

An appeal has been issued by the Afro
American Council of the United States to
the governors. legislators and judicial Off
GERS of the southern states Ito prevent law
lessness and to secure to all citizens the
protection to which they are entitled I'M
der the laws" After reference to the burn
ing of Sam Hose, the lynching Of Lige
Strickland and the political riots in South
Carolina and North Carolina, the appeal
says;
Since the first day of January there
have been twenty-eight cases of lynching
in the south, and every one of them of col
ored men. This is not only an unwarrant-
ed outrage upon them, but demoralizing to
the white race. 1t terrorizes and humans
the former. 1t famiiarizes the latter with
lawlessness and crime, creating In them
contempt for lawful authority and desire
for mob rule. 1t is hurt1ul and destructive
to the best interests Of both.
Outrages Denounced.
I'VE deplore, condemn and denounce in
unmeasured terms criminal assaults upon
women by whomsoever committed, and de-
sire the apprehension and legal punishment
Of every one guilty Of the crime. All We
ask is that the regular machinery of JUS
tice be employed and the accused given a
fair and impartial trial-the course pursued
with white men charged with the same Of
Tense.
I'm most of the southern states your
people are in a large majority, and in all
Of them you are in absolute control. Every
branch Of the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, leg
islative and judicial-is in your hands. The
judges are all white men and the jurors
are almost exclusively composed Of white
men. Coloced offenders have little chance
for escape when guilty Of petty offense,
and II guilty of a serious crime their con-
viction Is certain This fact is known of
all men. There is, therefore, not the slight
est excuse or Justification for a resort to
mob violence against colored criminals"
The appeal goes on to say that severity
of punishment has had no effect in decreas-
ing crime and that inhuman and barbarous
methods nave no terror for criminals. The
united efforts of both races promptly and
legally to stamp out rapists wherever found
will more thoroughly and completely rid
communities of these miscreants than the
brutal acts of bcodthirsty and irresponsi-
bic MODS. The appeal closes as follows:
What Oath of ONCE Requires.
Your oath Of office imposes upon you
the duty to execute the laws and protect
the people, irrespective Of race or color.
The reputation of your state, your honor,
and the honor and reputation of your peo-
Pile, demand that you rise to the level of
the occasion, vindicate your assumption Of
the capacity to rule by the restoration OF
the majesty of the law, extending its full
est protection 10 the humblest citizen under
your jurisdiction"
The appeal is signed by A Walters presi-
dent National Afro-American Council. The
committee on appeal consists Of P. B. s..
Pinchback, Jesse Lawson, r. s. Smith,
Lucy E. Moten. L. Thomas Fortune. A. P.
Albert, Lewis H. Douglass, Robert Harlan
and VIM. H. H. Hart