Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1948-05-01
ADVOCATE ELITOR URGES NEGRO
CITIZENS TO HOLD ON TO RIGHT TO
VOTE IN LOCAL AND STATE ELECTIONS
Negro Civil Obedience Campaign
Condemned
WITH NEGRO-WHITE PEOPLE
WORKING TOGETHER

Belzoni, Miss, April 25.-Negro
Citizens Of Mississippi who want to
continue to live in the state, and who
want to see it develop into a great
where people Of both races can live
together in harmony, goodwill and
prosperity were urged to hold on to
their right to vote in local and state
elections; while veSt-pocket repub-
licanism in Mississippi, and politics
for purely moneytary benefits of a
very limited few, at the sacrifice of
the good of the masses of both races
and the best interest of the state, and
the Civil Disobedience Campaign of
Grant Reynolds and A. Phillip Rey-
nolds was roundly and forceably con-
demned here Sunday by Percy Greene
Editor and Publisher of the Jackson
Advocate
Editor Greene spoke at the beauti-
full new ELk's Rest here on a program
sponsored by Hill Lodge of Elks of
this city.
In opening his speech the Editor
said that despite the fact that he was
in the midst of a number of strenuous
he had accepted the in
vitation and opportunity to speak in
Belzoni as the rostrum from which to
give public utterance to two convic-
tons that he had arrived at after
searching thought, during the" past
few days
Speaking o fthe recent ruling of the
Perry Howard Republican Party of
in which all those who
voted in recent local and state cleo
tons were ruled out as being mem
'--~~ Of the Democrat party, Editor
Greene told his hearers that Negroes
in Mississippi should hold onto their
right to vote in local and state cleo
tons, saying that it is far more i'm
ro~tant in the Negroes quest for a
better life in Mississippi, for better
schools and educational opportunity
for his children, for greater economic
for more adequate pro-
lection from the law with freedom
from fear of violence and intimida-
ton and brutality, to be always able
to vote for the Governor of the state,
the Mayor, Sheriff, Board of Super
viSors, and other local officials than
to stick to mere sentimental tradition
aliSm and the hope to elect a preSi-
dent every four years, who is to far
away, and too busy with larger is
sues to help with immediate and local
conditions.
The Republican Party in MiSSiSsip-
pi, the Editor said, is not now, ii
has never been, and it will never,
under its present leadership and man
ner of operation be of any help in inn
proving the condition of Negroes in
the state" No political party, Greene
said, that assemblies only once every
four years, which has never offered
A candidate for local office, which
presents no program and processes
no interest in local and state issues
and problems, whose leader lives tar
removed from the concerns and tears,
the hopes and aspirations OF the peo-
pie of the state, can be of any serv-
ice to the people who live in and
whose future rests with the turn of at
fairs in that state.
Greene said that the greatest
good for Negroes in Mississippi, as
well as for its white people, and tor
the state itself, would come from
Negroes who have their homes, and
who live in the hope of better day
and better life, working with the
White people of the state for the
good of all. The duty to find White
people in the state, who appreciate
the need for change, is one of the
Continued on Society Page