Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-02-28
OLD-TIlNE RELIGION

Ol~L~AA
sassinauons in great cities engender spe-
cies of Pharisaism which
Compounds with crimes their hearts in
cline to
and damns the sins they have no mind to-"
The finest expression I have seen of
wholesome and resolute public opinion
against lawlessness is a monument at Boga-
lusa, La, where a provoked people practced
the most admirable self-restraint under most
trying circumstances, and where brave Of
fcers of the law laid down their lives for
the maintenance of civil order. On that re-
markable monument is this inscription:
"A Testimonial
''To commemorate the conservative and pa
triOtic spirit of Washington parish La who
amidst the most trying circumstances main
tanned and upheld the supremacy and males
ty of the law. Faith in Cod respect for
constituted authority and allegiance OF our
government has ever been, is now and ever
will be the very foundation of our peace
happiness and prosperity. Our citizenship is
dedicated anew to the enforcement of the
law of the land The sacrifice of our breth-
rem whose lives were given for the welfare
Of our country will not be in vain-
Can anything finer than that be found
in any other section of our country, or in
any country in the world?
The sight of such memorial can not fail
to promote the noblest public sentiment in
opposition to lawlessness and in support
of organized society. 1t will hearten good
people and awe evil doors with wholesome
fear.
Again, why should the Federal Govern
ment invade the constitutional rights of the
States by such measure as the proposed
Dyer Antt-Lynching Bill" and yet do moth
ing to arrest the food of crime flowing
nightly through the great cities of the north :?
NO such law is required to suppress lynch
ing. Such federal statute could not fail
to do much harm And it would do little
ii any, good. 1t would most surely infame
racial antipathies and infame natreds which
do not now exist
II let alone the lawabiding people of our
country will soon make an end of lynching
as indeed they ought to eXtirpate it. But
the unnecessary and unconstitutional inter
ference of the Federal Government in the
matter will hinder them in their efforts and
postpone their success
It is occasion for satisfaction that MANY
of the Wisest men of the north are begin
nlng to take this view Of the subject The
Dyer Bill is supported now by a far greater
number of unreasonable fanatics than clear
eyed and clean-hearted statesmen For ex-
ample, the Hartford Times in recent edi-
torial said:
aside from the doubtful constitutionaIity
or SUCH law through its invasion of States
rights, and aside from the difficulty of en-
forcing it without precipitating something
very like a conflict between the sections Of
the United States, would it not be wiser to
| continue to trust in the educational and
moral forces which both Mr. Morton and
Mr Johnson report to be at work, than to
run the risk Of enraging the white south
while comforting no benefit upon the negro :?
Inc fact is that the Negroes condition in the
south, while he remains there, is to remain
matter for southern decision. There seems
small doubt of the superior wisdom of qely-
ing upon the further penetration of economic
and social lessons regarding the negro than
or making the gesture Of passing law
which is probably unconstitutional and
which could be enforced only at risk to
Internal peace"
This is mild statement of the case,
which will commend itself to thoughtful and
patriotic men of all sections
The bill ought to be entitled IAN Act to
Cast Odium on the Southern States, Increase
i Lynchings, and Promote Racial Antagon-
isms" That would fairly and accurately
describe the measure
We want peace and good will between all
races and classes in the country. and such
desirable conditions are already more preva-
tent IN the south than in any other section
! OF the country; for more of the southern
/ people are members of Christian Churches
and eXemplffy Christian principles than can
be found among the heterogeneous popuia-
tlons of the north and west This is a sim
pie statement Of fact, made not to give Of
! tense but to speak with truth and justice.