The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1917-07-11
The East St. Louis Orgy

groes to the north for two years
Many were attracted by temporary
high wages. Others went north be-
cause they fancied there were Ger.
tain privileges they would enjoy in
the north that they did not enjoy in
the south. But when they got north
they found out that the enjoyment Of
these privileges gave no substantial
comfort. The negro is permitted to
enter the white mans saloon in the
north ard drink his liquor, but as
soon as his last nickel is gone he is
ousted. He is permitted to ride in
the same street car seat with the
white men in the north, and in The
same coach, but the white man in the
north who rides in the same seat with
him will not give him job.
The southern white man will insist
upon a separate coach, but if he hap
pens to know the negro and the ne
gro needs the wherewithal to make
his journey, he will buy his ticket. Or
at the end of the journey if the negro
is penniless and happens to know a
white man. that white man Will fur
nish him with the money to get a
meal and will assist in getting him a
job.
The negro belongs in the south, and
for his own good he ought to stay
here. The southerner will not stand
for him being shot to pieces, just be-
cause he happens to be black.
If the negro behaves himself his
days in the south will net be marrel
by much trouble.
The problem for the negro in the
south has been difficult during the
last two years. The cost of living
has been exceedingly high, and in
some cases the wages of the negroes
have not been advanced as they
should have been. And in other
places in the south the negro has not
had the benefit of an even break in
thesdivision of returns on the cotton
crop.
The negroes in the north should
come back home, and when they are
back and obey the law it should be
the duty of the white men to see that
they are not defrauded, that they are
decently paid for well done work and
that life be made safe for those who
try to do right, seek to obey the law
and try to make themselves useful
and productive citizens.
What was done in East st. Louis
and what was done following the
lynching of Ell Persons near Mem
phis clearly illustrate the difference
of the attitude of the northern men
and the Southern people towards the
black people.
Ell Persons admitted that he had
chopped off the head of the little girl,
and had otherwise mutilated her.
There was no doubt as to his guilt,
but just before he was executed he
accused two other negroes.
The leaders of the mob. who lynch
ed Persons Investigated the charges.
They knew from certain physical
facts, and the statements of most
reputable white people, that the two
accused negroes were at their places
when the crime was committed.
The mob leaders said: "We stated
that the same men who lynched Ell
Persons would see to it that the 9TH
err two men We're protected" And
these men, were protected.
In East st. Louis the riot seems to
have begun after a fight, and the
shooting of police officers by two or
three negroes. Then every white per-
son began to maltreat' every black
person. And negro women were fl
nally slugged and beaten by white
women. h.-
In the south even lawless punish
ment runs against the individual. In
the north it runs against the entire
of the race that is in
sight. Memphis Commercial Appeal