Evening star., 1948-02-24
Northern Interference in the South


tee in urging the passage of a Federal anti
Lynching Act, there yet remain thoses who
believe that such step would be harmful.
The committee by no means overstated the
enormity of the crime Of lynching or its dis
astrous effects in this country and upon the
influence of America abroad. Divergent views
expressed below have to do solely with the
feasibility and character of the means pro-
posed. Space limits forbid considering admit
tedly grave constitutional issues involved.
The committee states, among reason for fail
ure of lynching prosecutions, that local COM
munities "tend to condone the crime" witnesses
experience "loss OF memory" grand juries re-
fuse to indict" and trial juries acquit in the
face of overwhelming proof Of guilt
/ For any Federal conviction there must be the
unanimous verdict Of II jurors drawn from
the State and district where the crime was
committed (316 u. s. 1850. Would it be easier
to persuade Southern witnesses to remember
and Southern jurors to convict in Federal
than in State courts?
The Attitude of Juries.
At Shreveport, La, Federal trial in March,
1947, Of five men charged with conspiracy to
violate the civil rights of two Negroes, A. s.
Drew, defense counsel, said: eve resent the
intrusion of the Federal Government in our
local affairs - this prosecution was fomented
and started by Negro uplift society, aided and
abetted by the FBI." All were acquitted.
At trial in State court at Greenville, S. c..
Of 20 lynchers in May, 1s47, Thomas Wofford.
defense attorney, told the jury: I'VE get along
pretty well down here until they start interfer-
ing with us from Washington and the North"
He declared that there was mo cure" for med
dlers itch" Of the FBI except q verdict by q
i,,ry nf his tn fhaS hovr md
them its no use meddling in Greenville County"
All were acquitted
Miss Rebecca West, in the New Yorker of
June H. 1s47, referring to the Greenville people,
wrote: When they name the antagonist
against whom they have to pit themselves, they
simply and passionately and frequently name
the North ="
This resentment could be further shown by a
host OF illustrations The Presidents COM
mittee realizes that members of grand and
trial juries again and again have shown a
sensivity" to the "cry of outside interference:
but this fact seems insuffciently reflected in its
report. Clearly the difficulty of obtaining the
evidence from Southern witnesses and of con-
victing lynchers sharply increases as Federal
participation is increased.
Unpopular Laws Resisted.
The Nation has had notable experience in
this difficulty of enforcement where public sup
port Is lacking. Congress allowed seven years
for ratification Of the prohibition amendment
but, before Is months had elapsed, As States
had ratified it. Yet the act implementing it
received little public support. Juries would not
convict Repeal became vital to continued re-
spect for law
The South whose witnesses and jurors must
aid If Federal anti-lynching law Is to sue
ceed, has uniformly and bitterly fought bills
Of this kind and is fighting them now. Chances
for enforcement of such law seem bleak COM
pared with the apparent chances of the VOL
stead law when enacted.
Failure of an anti-Lynching Act would cause
more tightly drawn social, sectional and racial
tensions. 1t would retard real reform.
Our institutions are generally recognized as
based upon local civic ande political RESPONSE
bility as to all things local. 1t would be mere
bootstrap lifting for this Nation to assume
duties which should be borne by respective
communities.
Great as the iniquity and menace of lynching
crimes are, better prospect than can now be
discerned, for the enforcement of a Federal Act,
would hardly justify so radical a movement
toward centralized government.
No step which would undermine State and
local responsibility will serve. The South long
has been known as proud section. This pride
and the growing sense of responsibility must be
respected. Thereby substantial progress has
been made in the South as respects lynching.
But pride will aid only II the full response
bility for protecting accused Negroes and for
the fairness of trial is left on Southern door,
steps and not brought to Washington. 1t would
change to humiliation and anger.
Whenever local and State oficials condone
or connve at lynching or If q trial is a farce,
the scorn OF the public in all parts of the coun-
try, including that Of many OF the leaders and
newspapers of the South, should and will fol-
low The fair name not only of America, but
of representative institutions themselves, is at
stake.
1t must be borne in mind always that evolu-
ton from owner and slave to fair relations
among citizens cannot be accomplished in
short time nor by force. The weakness of force
in the realm of ideas is well known but often
forgotten Mems hearts and consciences must
be won EUGENE w. BURR.