The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1919-11-07
A MISSISSIPPI MOVEMENT.


1t is noteworthy that in Mississip-
pi is conducted one of the most
promising movements for bettering
the relations between the white and
black citizens. The Mississippi Wei
fare League, formed more than a
year ago, and working for the gener-
al welfare Of both races, is seeking
to bring about permanent amicable
relations. and has achieved much sue
cess.
/ The secretary Of the league, Jack
c. Wilson, recently went to Chicago
and brought committee composed
of whites and negroes, to Mississippi
for first-hand inspection of condi-
tions in the state. The committee
made public report in which it was
said there is no place on earth where
the negro is given more opportunity
to achieve success than in Mississippi.
The report also stated that the
committee found race relations ex-
cellent,' and that the leading white
citizens of the state are doing all in
their power to help the negro up in
education, Christianity, and to a
higher plane in every respect. The
Welfare League favors better schools,
for negroes, with the vocational in
struction a feature; it favors better
housing conditions, improvement of
sanitation in negro districts of cities,
good churches, and economic and leg
al justice.
1t has taken stand on the question
of politics, and declares the negro
must be content with his present
status, so far as the ballot is con-
cerned.
1t appears to be in effect declara-
ton that the status quo must remain
as far as respects government and
management, but that, with this res
ervation accepted, the whites are
anxious to do everything they can to
make the lot of the negroes better,
and to give the negroes fair show
ing and enable them to profit by their
industry.
Everyone must be glad that much
advance is made toward friendly as
sociation. The phase economic
Justice, means a great deal if it is
rightly interpreted. The negro must
be treated honestly in business mat
ters. That absolutely is the essen
tial thing. We cannot expect that
there will be a good relationship un-
less the negro's right to what he
earns is fully respected Also, he
ought to know that that is the best
business policy in the long run. Skin
ming the ignorant and unsuspecting
may thrive for time, but must end
in an entire breaking off of relations
Il is the honest employer who has
the best help. Proper treatment,
therefore, will enrich both parties to
the bargain. Legal justice stands on
a like footing. In self-respect there
should not be two kinds of Justice,
one for the white man and another
for the negro, and be assured that
where injustice of that sort prevails
there never can be that amicable re-
lationship that makes for the good
of all concerned. We are glad,
C1cIS1OTe. W SEE JilaC the MISSISSIPPI
Welfare League sets store upon legal
justice, placing it alongside of eco
nomic justice as one of the pillars
of social order in the Sunfower
State.
1t should be noted that Charles
Banks and Isaiah Montgomery, of
Mound Bayou, negro town, endorse
the program of the league after at
tending the leagues sessions and con-
ferring with the white members.
Montgomery is reputed the wealth
lest negro in the county, and is re-
garded as one of the wisest men of
his rice. We observe also that Bish-
OPP Theodore d. Bratton, of the Epis-
copal diocese of Mississippi, takes
keen interest in this subject of the
proper relations between whites and
blacks, and has drawn up his advice
on the subject in a succinct statement
containing much of value and tend
ing to bring the elements of the pop
ulatiOn into better understanding and
accord. The whole movement de-
serves attention and sympathetic
Mobile Register.