South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-07
Other Editors Than Ours
THE DISGRACE OF TULSA.
Tulsa Daily WORLDLY

Proud. matchless Tulsa comes before the bar Of
Christian civilization this day, and, with head bow
Cd the mantle of shame upon her cheek and.
sincerely hope with deep regret in her heart. asks
that she be Hardened the great ofense some of her
citizens committed during Tuesday night and We'd
nesday morning.
There Is not man worthy of the name whose
heart is not afre with indignation against that
which has been done. Members OF a superior race,
boastful OF the fact permitted themselves to de-
generate into murderers and vandals; permitted
themselves deal their home community the foul
blow it has ever received in its history.
Tulsa boosted that she was not Ardmore. And
negligible number OF men have plunged the
reputation Of the fair city into the depths OF in
fanny. Language is incapable Of painting the wrong
which has been committed against the community
and its peaceful law-abding citizens or Of express
ing the indignty inevitably feels toward men
incapable Of controlling their passions and their
prejudices.
prejudices is consuming FIRE in the veins of every
nationality. On this ground one would like II it
were at al possible, 10 condone the hys-
terra OF Tuesday evening and night when the streets
OF the city suddenly transformed into a rag
ing torrent OF hate-irnI men, The imprudence
Of the in arming themselves and visiting the
county Jail permits something be said for those
who responded to the riot impulse and set out 10
satiate the blood lust racial pride.
But nothing that the mind Is capable OF con
cetving permits word OF defense excuse for
the murderous vandalism which set in at daylight
the morning Hundreds OF thousands OF dol
lars worth OF property-the homes OF women and
Cnlldren blaCk IN COlor, 10 De sure, but guilty or
no other ofense-went up in smoke. semi-organized
bands Of white Systematically applied the torch
while others shot sight OF color.
The colored section OF the city wiped out
and long line OF hopeless destitute pitiful refugees
fed northward from the burning town The German
invasion Of Belgium with its awful consequences
more unjusti1ed characterized with anv
greater cruelty. In the conhagration a splendid
new church but recently erected and one OF the
handsome educational ed!ces OF the school district
was lost To such property the vandals applied the
torch 10 make OF their terrible purpose
The entire race war was as unjustifed as 4,
was unnecessary. Because Of IL Tulsa is blazoned as
community where tolerance does not exist where
the constitution Of the United States be
forced or suspended AT will; where prejudice AMI
bigotry rules and where law and order halt
ingy feXes the knee 20 outlawry Ten thousand citi-
zens have been rendered homeless and made exiles
the face OF the earth
VIII Tulsa accept such reputation willingly?
Will this city tolerate such Unsatisfactory meek
" the sudden ending 10 its dream OF primacv and
gloy2 II not then the substantial constructive cti
zenship must Immediately get into action There r.
but way in which Tulsa can renabilitate itself
either in its own eyes the eyes OF the outside
world. That IS by rebuilding that which has been
destroyed.
Vandalism has taken the homes and the savings
Of thousands or people Tulsa must restore that
which has been taken. The sins OF a comparative
few are thus visited upon the whole community. But
II IS a cross that must be shouldered willingly and
herocally This restitution. because OF affection
ate regard for the colored man. but because OF an
honorable and intense regard for the white race
whose boast OF superiority must be justified
by concrete acts.
Not else can the wounds OF passion be healed or
the scars OF intolerant hatred be soothed n this
moment men OF Tulsa stand at the crossroads in the
citys destiny. One WY leads 10 a greater and more
erosion and decay There must not there can not be
any hesitating