Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1921-05-27
spoNG1NG GEoRG1As EscurcHEoN

SPONGING GEORGIA'S ESCUTCHEON -
Prominent people in all parts of Georgia ex
hibiting great deal of energetic patriotism in
regard to Governor Hugh M. Dorsey's appeal
for justice that the Leader believes would
serve better purpose if exerted in different
direction. 1t is due largely, probably, to mis-
understanding of what Governor Dorsey really
did say.
Georgia has been placed on trial" declare some
of the speakers against the governor And
straightway they become particeps criminis by
defending the crime instead of becoming truly
the counsel for the defense and defending Geor-
gia against recurrence of the crime If there is
blot on Georga's escutcheon, as Governor Dor
sey's carefully considered pamphlet would lead
to believe let us take sponge and wipe off
the blot, not try to deceive ourselves into think
ing there is no blot Truly, this is no time to
play politics nor to try, even inadvertently to
win the approval Of the small lawess element
which is found in the ctizenry OF any state Such
course by men in high places in Georgia,
course Of open defense OF the CRIME itself
will surely lead outsiders to believe that Georgia
IS state of aw-breakers and mobs
Less than FIVE per cent OF the population OF
Georgia has made the great and beloved state
open to criticism from her enemies. Shall Cieor-
gians in high places make the world believe that
the FIVE per cent is the majority and not the
ninety-hve per cent who are law abiding and
who regret that the garments of Justice are some
times badly torn by the thoughtless or wilful few?
Some of the leaders OF thought in Georgia
some OF the really big men, have inadvertently
risked giving that impression to the outside
world. Loving Georgia and cut to the quick by
the thrusts that are always being made at their
state from the outside they were surprised and
hurt when it seemed at first glance that a blow
had been delivered beneath the belt within the
state. The Leader has utmost confidence in the
honesty OF purpose which moved many leading
Georgians to take exception to Governor Dorsev's
appeal for more universal law observance. How
ever, this opposition and the Dorsey appeal is
fast becoming nothing more nor less than pol
itcal football Such development is to be
guarded against Governor Dorsey Is ont OF
politics and nothing is to be gained through at
lacking him personally. Let his assertions and
disclosures be examined for themselves and not
tor any Interior motive that might be construed
behind them.
movement has been made ior legislative in
vestigation of the allegations made in the pam
phlet That is good move Turn on the lights,
the more lights the better the cockroaches and
mice will flee.
A legislative investigation for one thing will
bring out sufficient details of Governor Dorsev's
statements to clear up an erroneous impression
that now exists as to actually what he said Some
pea green journalists have actually seen fit to
criticize Governor Dorsey's stand WITHOUT
READING THE PAMPHLET THEY AT
TACK The very nature of the criticisms they
make is proof positive of that
Equally ignorant of facts in Texas and Okla
mona where there is a small Mexican population
and of California where there is small Japanese
population, exceedingly small in comparison with
the Georgia negro they attempt to compare Geor-
gia with the three More than that, they seem
to have an impression that Governor Dorsey op-
poses segregation of the races and advocates race
equality. 1t is very dangerous for ignorant peo-
pie to speak with stimulation of verify One
knows how to guard against dishonest liar but
an honest but ignorant liar can often cause trou-
ble
Some pea green journalists remind one of the
sort of little boys who feel that they have to cry
1t amt whenever anyone else says at is" re-
CARELESS of what they really think