Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1953-01-24
Lynchings In 1852
CFrom The Central Christian Advocate)

TUSKEGEE institute which makes careful re-
search ynchings in the United States reports that
there have been ynchngs such during the of
1852. This the first time such report has been made
in the years of ynchng record keeping by the nstitu
ton The Institute reports that from 1913 to 1852 there
have been 1896 cases of lynching.
1t is interesting to note that the breakdown of
lvnchino into decades reveals that each decade has
shown decisive decline From 1913 to 1922 there
597; from 1923 to 1882 there IT'S; from 1888 to
1912 there 1922 and from 943 to 1852 there
q. While the figures exceedingly encouraging from
the angle of ynching, it should be kept in mind that
there other forms of brutality which to be
the increase and can be as hideous as lynching.
Take for example, the horrible amount of police
brutality where individuals suspected of crimes
beaten and killed The fact that these police represent
the law and thus their violence and awessness receive
legal sanction is highly significant This is particularly
true where persons murdered and nothing is done
bout it. In many instances these not even
brought to public attention.
The reports reveal also that there is a recurrence
of the mob spirit expressed in beatings foggings in
cindarism, bombing and the like. During the last few
years. the report points out bombing activities have been
directed against homes schools, religious and other in
stut0ns AS they relate to Negroes bombing of homes
and other property has taken place mainly where
berS of the have moved attempted to into
what considered white neighborhoods. In few
cases, bombing has occurred where Negro leaders
thought to be too active in improving the status of their
people.
In regard to religion Jewish religious and welfare
Institutions and at least Catholic church have been
the targets Homes and property of other whites who in
one way or another had incurred the enmity of bonbers
have not been exempt from the blasts.
The report rightly observes that the potential for
destruction of life and property by this form of violence
is ncaculable We recall that it Christmas day in
1851 that Harry T. Moore and his wife of Minis Fla,
victims of bombing. Occupants of other bombed
homes have been Fortunate although property de-
StructiOn has been high.
This brutality is by a sectional problem;
recently it has become prevalent in the South In
the last four years. the report dscoses at least 68 in
stances of bombings or attempted bombngs
corded They mainly connected with racial and
gious tensions Of this number 40 directed against
Negroes, 10 against white and public institutions; at
least eight against Jewish synagogues, schools and
munity centers and one against Catholic church.
While convinced that there have been ire
mendous gains in the field of human relations in the
United States in recent years still have long way
to go in the development of truly democratic society.
The time is when people of good will should band
themselves together in making America truly the land
of the free and the home of the brave Free from
bid fears that enslave the human mind and that flame
into incredible hostilities and brave enough live as
free men.