Cayton's weekly. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1916-1921, 1920-07-17

munity where such Outrages occur? What
is the lesson that is learned by the children
whose parents take them to watch the tor
tureSg These are questions for you to an
swer for it is the community where lynch
ings occur that is most affected by Them
and which must deal with them. l admit
that Georgia must deal with the crimes that
occur in Georgia, and that Massachusetts,
cannot help her until the law is changed.
The conscience of every good man and wo-
man who hears OF these wrongs must be
shocked, and from every quarter must come
indignant protests and condemnation Will
you Christian men of Georgia, citizens of the
great republic whose government rests upon
the principle that all men are created equal,
turn deaf ears to these protests and let the
crimes go on? No one but yourselves can
answer this question.
No one better than you can point out the
consequences to yourselves and to us ALL
know that no man of character anywhere
can approve such barbarities, but when such
men are silent and whole community toy
crates the crimes, they share the response.
bllty. In the language of the law they are
accessories after the fact,' if not in the
strict meaning of the phrase, at least in
moral responsibility This is truth which
we must face.
Let me put you very simple question.
Is it profitable, is it safe for us so to treat
twelve million of our fellow-citizens as to
make the our enemies? They are men
like ourselves, with the same instincts and
feelings; many of them are more nearly
white than coored, and inherit our own
qualities. Even if they were worms, the
worm will turn. We cannot deny to twelve
millions of men the rights of men, we can
GapU fho,,,1
at the mercy of the mob to be killed on
suspicion or on any charge which any ma
llcious, reckless or hysterical person may
make, without that trial by jury which the
Constitution secures to every man, and ex-
pect them to submit forever Have we not
enemies enough within our borders? A year
ago we led the world, and all peoples sought
our friendship. Now where are our friendss
England and France feel themselves DESERT
ed by us since we repudiate the treaties on
which they relied for protection Germany
holds us responsible for her overthrow. We
certainly cannot rely on Russia, once our
friend. Can we afford to cultivate lust dis
content IN our midst? These twelve million
men must seek friends elsewhere if the
governments under which they live and the
men among whom they dwell deny them
Justice and safety. Again in the words of
Grady, "Discord means ruin Can we
afford to run the risk?
Disregard wholly this aspect of the ques-
ton, and consider only the effect of our daily
life Labor is needed everywhere, and we i'm
port 1t from every other quarter of the world
While the great war was in progress saw
trains of Cinnamon in Canada on their way
to France where they did work upon which
the safety OF our armies depended Racial
prejudice keeps these laborers from our
shores. Can any community have more
valuable asset than body of well-trained,
heaelthy, willing workers? Here in the South
your coored men are fitted for the work you
have to do The climate suits them. Here
has been their home, here should be their
hopes. You need them in your fields. in
your factories, wherever hands are needed
lhey will not stay here unless they are
treated well. The temptation of higher
wages better schools for their children,
greater safety of life and property, assured
political rights and wider opportunity is al
ways before them. Can you afford to let
situation continue where this temptation is
becoming irreSiStible9 Is If wise for Won TO