The Montana plaindealer. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1906-1911, 1906-06-01
sIMONS ON THE NEGRO.

the topics of discussion, 1 am prom
! to ask the question and at this op
perfume time. When read of ou
constitution and its laws that were
moulded and framed by the able
and giant thinkers of the Republic
both of the past and the present,
, often pause to ask myself-Ar9 we
respecting the Legislative bodies
DO we reverence the good opinions
and Just discussions of the past ?
, OF what use are laws that have been
certified, ratified, and approved by
the people, yet on the day of their
enforcement those who are intrust-
ed with its keeping and execution
shrink from duty. If such an ac-
ton is tolerated, then the law only
exists in name.
We read the good meaning of our
law, but we hesitate to put its utili-
ty into practice. Curious eyes peep
ing at the mirror of rectitude from
whence they see the shawdow of a
race trampled, yet bias to lend a
helping hand. The enforcement of
the law would be boon to a down
trodden race.
But, oh! say does justice in its
integrity exist for the Negro2 There
never was a time when the flush of
success and the inspiration to do
better was more prevalent in our
natiou than now.
The religious denominations, the
benevolent societies and philan-
thropic agencies are at work. Mis-
sionaries are crossing the ocean to |
convey the tidings of the gospel to
the heather in the foreign lands.
Messages of coincidence are written
to the suffering Jews of Russia, yet
in the very heart of all the benevo-
lent and Christian organizations,
and under the flag of of civilized,
progressive and intelligent nation,
human being, men of color, are be-
ing murdered, tortured, yes, and
burned at the stake. Does the
Statue of Liberty hover beneath its
arm a retreating place for the
Negro?
The constitution and its laws
speak with one accord in this favor.
Today the world is condemning
that portion of our commonwealth
that lies below the Mason and Dixon
line but it is now time to withdraw
this bias conclusion. These crimes
are confined to no fixed locality.
Years ago the horrible execution
Of Negro at Texarkana, Ark., vas !
4 feature of discussion and fingered
ong in the hearts of our domain, !.
Out today, not only individuals but :,
nations are shocked at the horrible !
execution and treble lynchings of a
Negroes who suffered the pangs of ;,
orture equal to that of T9xarkana, :,
f not greater, and perpetrated in .
he very hub of our Republic Must !,
he South bear the brunt of criti- :.
ism while other guilty districts go !,
rec? AS is the guilt or innocence
# those victims, is it known? VIII a
t ever be known? =,
l do not hesitate to assume a de- n
rec of satisfaction when corrected 81
nd reproved by my superiors, but an
be element that was conspicuous ;s
t Springfield, Mo-, were far below m
ven the victims of torture. They h,
,ere simply beings of might moved n
D action by their bias hatred for si
he Negro. 1 am consoling myself AZ
D know that the prevailing senti- hi
lent of the intelligent class of the ar
'hites had no sympathy with this tb
:,
We're the thoughts of the people Al
'ho characterized this mob the RI
entiments of the republic, today
'e would either survive as the pl
ttest or perish to a man. .
But thanks to Providence, the "
.hite man is still our friend. The er
artV I'm mower has sOmpatbv trutb re