The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-08-09
WILL AID PRESIDENT
AGAINST MOB VIOLENCE
Tennessee Law and Order League
Pledge Their Cooperation: Declare
That Words Of Sountry's Executive
Come Like Trumpet Call to Those
Concerned for Welfare of State and
Nation.

Nation.
49,
Nashville, Tenn, Aug. S-The ex'
scutive committee of the Tennessee
Law and Order League, through its
secretary, has sent to President Wilson
the following telegram:
"The Tennessee Law and Order
League, organized in March to COM
bat mob violence in this state rejoices
in your noble and stirring address to
the American people on this monstrous
evil. The executive committee is urg-
ing local representatives to hold pub
lie MEETINGS, at which your address VIII
be read and steps taken to inaugurate
a campaign, of publicity in accordance
with your ideas. Such public senti-
ment vii, we trust, nave its effect on
state and local officers, to whom you
appeal, We pledge our cooperation
in all that you may do to make our de-
mocracy what it claims to be-"
After reading the presidents words
no enc can any longer elsiih thai The
agitation on This question is interior
ing with winning the war. He has
made it clear that resistance to mob vi
olence is vital and essential part of
war activities. He says: ''This sub
iect vitality affects the honor OF the
nation and the very character and in
egrity of our Institutions. No man
who loves America, no man who really
cares for her fame and honor and
character, or who is truly loyal to her
institutions, can justify mob action"
And again: Il can never accept any
man as the champion of liberty, either
for ourselves or for the world, who
does not revere and obey the laws Of
our own beloved land. He has adopted
the standard Of the enemy's country
whom he affects to despise."
Clearly does he draw the parable
between the atrocities of lynching anC
those of Germany, and just as clearl!
does he point out how those who par
tictpate in these outrages, or wit
countenance them in any way are play
ing into the hands Of the enemy. Ger
many has outlawed herself among tn
nations because she has disregardet
the sacred obligations of law, and ha
made lynehers of her armies. Ever,
mob contributes to German lies abou
the United States what her most gift
ed liars cannot improve upon by wa
Of calunny"
Any state or local officer who read
the words of the president ought t
feel ashamed of himself if he has nc
done his utmost to prevent lynchinf
Henceforth no man can be said to B
backing up the president unless he res
ponds with all his mind and heart an
strength to these earnest words:
therefore very earnestly and solemn
beg that the government of all tn
states, the law officers Of every CON
munity, will cooperate, not passivel
merely, but actively and watchfull!
to make an end of this disgracefl
evil
We are asking that the newspaper
Of the state give all possible publicit
tc the presidents statement by re
printing his words and by writing ed
itorials indorsing his IDEAS.
We request ministers Of the state t
make the presidents address the basi
of an appeal to their pulpits next Sur
day or the following Sunday.
We request teachers wherever the
may be assembled, in summer schools
Institutes or faculty meetings, to us
every opportunity to promulgate thes
ideas.
We hereby urge the 40 represents
tives of the state league, VINO have a
ready accepted the responsibility {
carrying out the purpose of the leagr
in their counties to hold meetings j
their respective communities and il
augurate an aggressive campaign. II
president has called for ''men and VIZ
men everywhere to see to it that Il
laws of the nation are kept inviolat
its fame untarnished-all who revel
America and wish to keep her nan
without stain and reproach."
The wards Of the president cose
parallel the words adopted by the sta
league in Nashville; but they have ;
authority that no other words CO
have, In spite of the lynchings tn
have taken place in Tennessee sin
the organization of the state leagu
the words of the president come no
like trumpet call to those WHO IA
welfare of the state and the natio
Once more we grid our loins for a fig
with the forces of lawlessness.
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE {
THE TENNESSEE LAW AND o,
DER LEAGUE.
EDWIN MINIS, Secretary.