Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1942-10-24
Mississippi Approaches A Reign Of Terror

Up in Washington last week. Congressman John E. Ran
kim representative of the First Congregational District OF
Mississippi speaking in protest against the of the
law prohibiting the requirement of the payment OF poll taxes
prerequisite to voting in declaring that I'VE OF the
south know how to deal with the problem declared that
segregation the only possible OF four to deal
with the problem, listing the others deportation ex-
termination and amagamation The speech beng another
of number of speeches made in recent months te Ne
question: with growing bitterness by state Congress-
No where in the world and under no system of govern
men has minority group living under kind of suppress
and oppression heard remarks all their
implications than these remarks of Congressman Rankin
Stunning all of his most recent remarks adding to them
the remarkss of Mr. Mark Eheedge recently of the Pres
dents Committee Fair Employment Practice the at
tude of the south respecting the Negro question: consider
the fact that both are widely regarded as outstanding Mis-
SSsrpans is Is well here to the psychological ef
feets of their combined remarks upon certain segments of
the states white population and upon the Negro population
Considering the fact that the speech above referred
to- containing many implications regarding the
Negro made the day following the ynching of the
two fourteen earod Negro boys in the state the of
which had been already heraded throughout the nation by
and radio to IN the state the reasoning would
seem unacceptable that in of its implications there
endorsement of those nchngs following what appears
the only reasonable logic involved the conclusion
inevitable that the ynchng of the Negro Laurel Satur
day. giving the three lynchngs the week
number of incidents upon public conveyances both ntra
state Interstate and municipal where Negroes while duly
regarding the laws respecting the separation of the two
groups have yet been subjected to all kinds of abuses the
number and variety eff other incidents envovng Negroes
and whites the accounts of which travel w and down the
state through the Negro community without the aid of the
Negro press the radio and the killing of the Ccpah Coun
ty Jaller the night of the Laurel ychng although
charged with only comparatively minor crime, and there
abundant evidence cf the existence an hoy and
dangerous psychology affecting both groups in the state
that can only be checked by changing the sentiments and
fuences upon which such psychology develop and grow
In seeking change in the present conditions existing
IN the state it well consider the possible solutions
offered IN the most recent speech by Mr. Rankin Consider
mg' trst deportation and determination, they at
once ruled out having practced only by the ancient
and medieval pagans and barbarians, and their m
tators the Germans japanese their cohorts and would
therefore be wholly unthnabe in nation of Christian dem
oratc ideals such the United States of America and
people.
Consider the questions of Segregation and ANAL
ganatlon In considering these questions let us point to
The history of New Zealand few hundred years ago white
settlers landed New Zealand finding there native dark
people, probably closely related to the African as anv
other people, Finding also among these people an ancient
and deep rooted custom regarding the ownership of lands
the settlers agreed to respect this CUSTOM the natives at the
same time agreeing to their prohibitions against amalga-
nation
With citizen of New Zealand enjoying every right
privilege and protection under the law equals including
gnt OF every citizen to VOTE and help make the laws
by which he was governed New Zealand grew developed
aho pfospered until today leading scholars c the world
cudlng socologsts and historians, point TIC New Zealand
as the worlds greatest civilization Here both the question
OF segregation and amagamaon satisfactorily settled
and today love and respect there has been little amalga
nation in New Zealand where it is developed it has not
oeen because OF any pressure from the natives S,
The great Negro Educator, Booker r Washington
The south without doubt been influenced bv
ms knowledge and study Of the history the New Zealand
Civilization Although praised lauded the philosophy of
Booker l. Washington has been given trial. even in
Inc SOUTH as matter of cold fact the evidence points to
the souths having moved farther farther away with
each decade following the day which the philosophy was
first propounded.
An understanding of the proposition by the white peo
pie and Negroes of the state that segregation does not mean
the denial of the basic rights of citizenship including the
rlght to vote and that angaaton based upon the
endowment OF such rights contained in the history of
New Zealand and the philosophy Booker r. Washing
ton can well become the foundation upon which new mass
psychology can be speedily erected
Unless the forces of the state government of the press
the radio the pulpit and agency Of public opinion in
the state including individuals prominently regard
eel as those who have been talking the past and Negroes
and whites alike put to the task Of creating new and
less foreboding psychology among the White
of the state Mississippi may look forward to
virtual reign of terror and the further widespread break
down of Jaw and order.
The effects of the three lynchgs of Negroes in one
week and the cortion of Negro life the state upon the
spirit and morale of the Negroes Of Mississippi and through
ont the nation the resultant effect upon the nations war
effort the effect upon allies of The darker races
nd