The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1943-05-15
White Supremacy PIea Win Acquastal

White Supremacy Plea Wins Acqua.tal
Law and order were again trampled underfoot by
Mississippi mobsers last week when Federal grand jury
in that state acquitted the ynchers of Howard Wash and
held them and each of them gutess despite the strong
evidence to the contrary.
The jury, which for the most part, of the aver
age intelligence of white of the old Magnolia State
evidently thought it unfolding white supremacy by
acqutting those who took part in the ynch-murder of
Howard Wash, colored man. But instead of a show of
superiority of the white of the South it showed g
norance and stupidity. 1t certainly does not prove
superiority for rs 100 with guns overpower one
who is dsarmed and in the custody of the law.
Such is the act Of coWards-not patriotic redblooded
Americans.
In his appeal to the ignorance prejudice and passion
of the jury the defense COUNSEL among other things said
"This prosecution instigated by crack-br&n-
ed element of the Democratic party of the solid South
This trial will test just how far of the South will
allow the invasion of states rights The cause of
white supremacy is ndcted-the people of this
southland on trial-our cherished heritage of
white supremacy is challenged at doors. Several
months age coored people attempted to pass what
was known as the ant-lynching bill. Thanks to the
courage and stigma of a few red-blooded southern
senators, it was hlibusered to death. The same
crowd tried to have passed the poll tax repeal bill.
1t, too, defeated by few redblooded senators.
Social equality for eolored folks is the CUTS of this
case Political and SOCIAL equality for them are out
IN the old magnolia state"
Not being skilled in legal procedure we would want
to know just why the defense attorney was allowed to
discuss before the jury matters entirely irrelevant
the subject. Those defendants charged with
spiracy deny Howard Wash the due process law
found in the Fourteenth Amendment to the Federal
Constitution. The government made clean The
taking of the victim from the custody of the state lynch
ing him. made prma facie against the defendants
Therefore it looks to though the introduction of the
question of social equality states rights etc.
rey out of place and should have been ruled by the
sitting judge in the
But be that it may, the dark picture of the whole
situation is the fact that condition like this still remains
in section of this country where there much boast
ing about democracy; where there is much said
about Christianity, civilization our sense of JUS
ce and fair play against that of the Axis powers.
And yet there is little being done to correct the evil
which is threatening the welfare of the people all over
this world.
AS look about u.s. and note the half-hearted way
which the leaders approach this social question: including
the ministers, priests politicians those who make up the
Congress of the United States we'll the President of
the United States we find ourselves of wonder
ment.
When reminded by those who held to the spirit
of the Ku Kux Khan that the evils imposed upon coored
people of the United States is demonstration of white
supremacy, we wonder what Nine. Chang ka1 Shek
thinks about the sincerity of Chnas allies. We wonder
the bitterness experienced between the people of the
United States and that of Japan not the result of blind
racial prejudice based upon the color of ones skin And
again wonder what the darker all the world
are thinking about this so-called white supremacy?
Every day this sort of spirit continues in America by
Americans, north south, east and west. At home anc
abroad lives will be required to pay for this ungody
spirit We buy all the bonds and build enough ships
Joo11I; J,oIy ond Int
lasting peace will to this old world long the
conduct of men is guided by prejudice.
Many of are told to dismiss discussion of our ma
tiona faults with frank acknowledgement that de
mocracy is imperfect without seriously considering h5v
gross the imperfections The picture skeched b!
the foregoing editorial shows that large area .of the
country has not yet emerged from condition of barbar
ism. AS if in imitation of civilized status the nhabi
tants thereof have indeed established courts of justice b
they exhibit honest respect for their socaled law
and they make mockery of democratic justice at an!
time suits their warped conceptions of government
order. In the same six million whites and four mil
lion blacks denied the fundamental rights of Ameri
can citizens by the operation of poll tax.
A missionary campaign of enlightenment is needed ii
own jungles at home.
AREuH NAEm@ A@RAA