Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1907-02-26
Law and Order

Without law and order we could own no
property.
1t is law and order that secures to us every
right we enjoy. Then who of US is not ready to
defend, anxious to improve, willing to make sac.
ri6ces for law and order? The outlaws may
disapprove certainly no others will.
After the Atlanta riot a few of the very
best citizens of that city got together to discuss
the enormiity of the crime and if possible de-
wise WAYS and means to avoid it's repetition.
ex-governor W. J. Northen was selected
from among the members, not only as presi-
dent of the organization, the Business Mems
Gospel Union, but he was commissioned by the
association to lead the crusade against laWless-
ness and crime in Georgia.
He was here yesterday and his mission was
to organize opposition to crime and violence
and create a sentiment for law and order
His purpose is to visit every county in the
state, and secure the cooperation of a number
of strong active citizens who will keep in touch
with him and his Atlanta union, and through
them crystaze strong law and order senti-
ment throughout the state
The efforts of the organization will be di-
rected primarily against lynching and that un.
speakable crime that usually leads to lynching.
dred men at the Baptist Church.
He announced that his ect was an un.
popular one but insisted on his hearers staying
aud hearing the whole question discussed, and
they did.
It is bitter pill but it's medicine that must
be taken, for the patient is very sick and it is
but folly to shut our eyes to that important
fact. The man who says, sit down and wait un-
= H.
is formed and the fiend is burned, is the crazy
man. Now is the time to act, and act with Wig
or.
1t is weakness to argue that we are help
less; the American people can correct any
wrong; we have an abiding faith in our civiliza-
ton, although at times it would seem to be de-
cadent.
After governor Northens speech he named
Col. D. B. Jay, Mr.. J. C. Glover and Mr.. G. A.
jolly committee to select central executive
committee for the city, colony and county
The committee selected was J. E. Mercer,
B. f. Wilcox E. F. Chambess E. K. Farmer,
e. W. Stetson, L. Kennedy, l.. o. Tisdel, and
S. G. Pryor,
Mr.. R. ]. Prentiss was elected by the meet
ing as secretary, ard all of the ministers Of the
gospel are ex.oficio members of the committee.
The committee met yesterday at the Enterprise
Office and selected the following out of town
members which may be increased from time to
time:
w. B. White; j. H. Dorminey: Marion Dix
on; G. C. Ball; Dan 7. Paulk; A, ". DaLee; A.
]. Sword r. V. Bowen; A. Hagaman; L. Thayer;
James Barnes; Jerome Butts; B. S Houston, Supt.
of Cotton Mills H. D. Vaughn aud Mark Wilson
Supt. A. B. & A. Shops.
The negroes of the county will be given an
opportunity to operate. They are expected to
assist in preventing crime among their race and
the organization will make it their business to
see that every mau gets fair trial, whatever
his crime may be.
The object is to uphold the law and create
respect for it and as far as possible prevent law
lessneSs aud crime.
Let it be understood once for all in every
county, ia every state in this Union, particular
ly in this Southland of ours, that even the sug-
gestion of social equality shall never be enter
tanned, that the distinction which God Almighty
has established dividing the races shall not be
violated but that long as the negroes re-
Amain in merica be shall have fair trial and
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