The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1946-12-07
BILBo CUSTER

In several respects Mississippi may be cassed prm-
tive Civilizations cardinal principles of law and order
justice and decency do not and cannot thrive in Msss
sippis miasma of ignorance bgotry CORRUPTION white
supremacy insanity which makes the state happy hunt
ing ground political demagogues enables Senator
Bbo walk into the United States Senate with the great
est of slender string of votes Apparently he for
got something He trial charged with inmida-
ton of and corrupt practice From this distance the
inquiry appears serious. At least may turn out to be
serious for of the witnesses Fear of reprsa doubt
will deter others from giving testimony Because Mssis
sipp long notorious savage of off
color residents wonder at the courage, rash
of the witnesses tesying in the Blbo inquiry which
is being conducted at Jackson, the capital of the state
In the proceedings far all those called to the witness
stand members of the oppressed group War Veterans
have told of being beaten by whites who aegedy in
sgaed in their acts by nfammatoy speeches of Senator
Blbo during his campaign for nomination in the Democratic
primary July. Nomination in the primary tantamount
to election in the one-party state.
Although the testimony already given seems to sustain
the charge of intmidatng voters Is too early to gauge
the outcome Senator Bbo with counsel attends the hear
ing and is expected to put up vigorous denial of the
charge H win dsclam any intent to ntimidate voters
and most likely will declare that his sole aim to pre-
vent disorder which he believed would be stirred by the
unusual sight of coored persons at the polls, especially
where there would be no time place segregation by
color which is the ongsanctioned southern practice.
And he may win out by that kind of plea
Whether he wins loses that phas eof the inquiry
the other in which he is accused of accepting graft in
Army building contracts the coored witnesses tesfyng
against him will be in danger of being marked men, They
protected But how long will the protection con-
nue after the hearings end Should they be destined to
go down under Mississippi savagery martyrs in the
of decency and democratic government the nation
should pledge itself to honor them heroic peace
time soldiers in tn esrugge at home for precisely the
principles for which their and brothers fought
and died in the abroad. Better STILL it the
Federal government it cannot protect its witnesses in
their home town. should buy out their farms and bust
neses and homes and recompense them by reestabshng
them in the civilized of the North and West.
Soon to accustom themselves to the newfound free
doms they will be stumped,as other former southemers
in attempting to explain why any coored person
would want stay in Mississippi any longer than alb
soutey necessary.
In the hearing held at Jackson before the Senate
Campaign Investigating Committee Senator Bbo is in
the house of his friends 1t is friendship that will not
balk at distortion of facts if will help friend in need.
Not single white has supported the charge of nmda
ton When the Mississippi bgot appears before the SEN
War Investigation Committee charges of accept
fees from War Contractors he cannot expect such
amiable comradeshp. In the event that these latter
charges substantiatedt will his expulsion
resignation from his in the Senate-a radiance good
knows desired by the great majority of American
citizens.