Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-14
SOUTHERN LYNCHINGS
Alleged Proposed Action of the Afro-Ameri-
can Council.
ReEfster Lyons Thinks That the
States Should Ask Federal Aid to
Put Down Mob Violence.

A Chicago dispatch says that the annual
convention of the Afro-American courcil
is to be held in that city this week, and
that among those to be present will be
Judson Lyons. register of the treasury. 1t
is predicted that there will be a strong
fight over resolutions denouncing Presi-
dent Mckinley for not using federal au-
thority in the suppression of lynchings In
the south.
Mr.. Lyons was asked today whether he
would attend and what he thought Of the
purported resolutions against President Nc
Kinley. He said:
The Coming COancH.
THE Afro-American Council is an organ
ization, as 1 understand 1t. designed for the
betterment and uplifting of the colored
race, and Is non-partisan. 1t has within
its membership some very able and we'll
known citizens from various sections of the
country.
NO, 1 will not attend the Chicago meet
ing l cannot get away from my duties
here. l do not know how many persons
will be in attendance. l have been very
busy for the last month, and am not very
well posted as to this coming meeting
Il am not prepared to say what the coun-
Gil will do. If anything. with reference to
the resolution you speak of. l really don't
think any such resolution will be seriously
urged L ne freSldent is as much shocked
and Mortified by the lynchings in the vari-
Gus sections of the country as any one, and
Is doubtless giving all Of the time he nan
to finding solution of the bloody problem.
When he was invested with ample author
ity governor of Ohio to deal with these
occurrences he showed what he would do.
Favors Appeal to the Government.
Yes, I think 1t would be good idea to
pass resolution urging the states to in
vite the assistance of the federal govern
ment in the suppression of lynchings and
all manner Of organized violence. 1t would
put the case clearly If it would say that
when the state authorities cannot cope with
lynchfngs the federal government ought to
interfere.
That is keeping within the boundaries of
law. The federal government can act
when the state calls for it's assistance or
when there is a purely federal question in
voived In all discussions of this question
these facts should be remembered, else we
may be said to be darkening counsel by
reckless assertions.
'Lynchings nave got to be SO frequent
nowadays that they string UP man for
anything, and human life before the mob is
of less consequence than the price of pig.
Time for Calm Utterance.
Now above all other times is the season
for calm. deliberate utterance. l trust the
wise men who may assemble there will sug-
gest a remedy that will appeal to the great
body of sober-minded and law-loving class
of American citizens. For it is the duty OF
every man to uphold the law.
II he does not he may perchance fall a
victim himself to violence tomorrow. All
that civilization has accomplished may be
in danger if the mob is allowed TO go I'M
checked. The mob is now without respect
to persons in its murderous work. A
jority of the victims are colored, but
big minority are of other races. Let every
pDl me m ND "a is fNItIN 70 ipir1
with every other man in suppressing mob
violence