The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1921-01-16

D0utHeIH AuieEt OF the 4. vi. ~ -,
at Nashville. DR.. Weatherford is thu
fearless and outstanding exponent O
this newer gospel Of inter-racial co
operation, and he has devoted himself
with relentless energy to his great
task. During the past Summer {
series of conferences was held at Blue
Ridge, N. c., under his direction, alc
here, at these conferences, representa-
tives of the leading denominations, the
leading newspapers, and the chiefest
higher institutions of learning were
brought together, at different times
for a free discussion of the various
phases of the problem confronting us,
and the possible means Of solution. !
had the honor of attending the Con-
ference of Educators, as the repre-
sentative of the Mississippi State Col
lege for Women, and of taking part
In the deliberations of that group of
seventy-five men, presidents and pro-
fessors of the leading colleges and
universities of the South. 1t was a
notable gathering, and the spirit that
dominated it throughout was one Of
honest inquiry into facts and condi-
tons and of honest effort to arrive at
practical, Christian solution of the
South's gravest problem.
1t is not the purpose Of this article
to treat of the plans proposed at this
or any of these conferences, to dis
cuss the aggravated conditions affect
ing race relationship in the South, or
to hazard a forecase for the future.
In a subsequent article hope to
treat of the race situation as aggra-
waited or accumulated by conditions
growing out of the war, to give some
what of the point Of view of the ne
gro, both radical and conservative,
supplementing this with a summary
of the better thought of the better ele-
ment Of both races. Certain it is that
a delicate situation confronts us, and
it must be met. 1t was for this pur-
pose that the inter-racial movement
was launched, and it has been most
effective in quoting and preventing
and friction between the
races and in promoting general
feeling of helpfulness and co-opera
ticn.
The machinery of the movement isl
very simple and very effective. 1t
consists mainly of the "Inter-racial
Committee" composed Of representa-
tive white men and representative
negroes of the community. who sit to-
gether and freely and frankly dis
,uss the problems Of the local COM
nunity and the best means of meet
ng them. There ars some eight hun
lred or more of these inter-racial
now functioning in the
,ounties and cities of the South, and
hey have been a most potent influ-
snce in preventing riots and lynchines
md in promoting amicable race rela-
ions. Practically all Of the Delta
COUNTIES of Mississippi have such q
committee, and many other counties
besides.
Alfred H. Stone, distinguished
Mississippian and an authority on
he race question, has this to say of
he movement:
"If it were possible to establish
better basis Of mutual understanding
between the races, or between leading
men of both races, it would be g long |
step in improving general conditions
md in softening some of the harsher
aspects of the problems which con-
'front.' the respectable Negro. 1t hard |
y seems possible to accomplish much |
~ mere outside pressure upon the
Negro. You cannot legislate a peo-
Die either into morality or prosper
ty. But a difinite attitude on the
part of white men who would say to
proper Negroes in a decent communal
ty: we are your friends. Our only
wish is to help you help your peo-
ole. Our only request of you is that
you help US to cooperate with you;
an attitude which would be equiva-
ent to such declaration would be a
power for helpfulness both to black
and white"
The inter-racial movement is the ex-
preston of such an attitude, and it i
has proven to be the power for help
fitness to both blacks and whites
that Mr.. Stone predicted it would be.
are as yet far from ideal,
but the outlook as regards race rela-
tons was never so promising as at
present. Lynchings are on the de-
crease, as shown by recent announced
statistics, and the uneasiness of the
period Immediately following the war
has greatly abated. Moreover, OPP