The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1957-02-02
How Long America?
By LUTHER WEBB

How long America will allow hoodlums to ter
roze decent Americans-WlTHOuT punitive or in
vestigatiye action from Washington?
The most recent bombngs in Alabama of the Rev.
Martin Luther King JrS home Go sticks of dynamite
failed to exploded. and damage to another Negroes
home. should have prompted immediate federal action
we believe
Local officials not only sympathetic with the White
Citizens Councils as we'll as opposed to Indignation
buses in other ways. but have themselves, aid
ed and abetted the non-confornsts. Aided them by
arrestng Negroes slmsly pretenses following such
disturbances
1t is obvious that local law enforcement agencies
have failed properly execute duties. by protecting
all citizens Of Montgomery. to be specific Sundays
bombing. was approximately the eleventh twelfth
since December 1855
Must Rev King Jr be killed by the hoodum ele-
ment of the State Of Aabama-before federal author
ties find grounds to step in? Must Negroes. who have
been patient pacfciSts change their tactics. and de-
fend themselves-with their weapons?
Failure Of federal intervention the part of Attor
ney Gen. Brownel the Justice Department or the
Federal Bureau of Investigation to put their sleuths
work is an insult to the Negro citizens of Montgo-
merry the South the nation 1t also is an afront to all
Americans who believe in fairplay democracy for all
Negro ministers, meeting exactly as president Eisen-
howers plane flew over some of the southern states
10 the Southwest TO investigate the drouth
called upon the president use his good offices and
influence. to help stem TIE tide of violence toward
NEGROES throughout the Southland"
No answer has been received from the White House;
only silence.
Meantime the question arises Should Negroes in
an ATTEMPT 10 defend their homes take their weapons
have the Southern law enforcement officers? the
White House?
Negroes. il must be remembered aren't violating the
laws Of the land irresponsible white the guilty par
ties Do the laws OF the land apply equally to white
and colored?
II Negroes were violating the laws flagranty, what
would be the attitude Of the powers that be?
A guilty conscience. should rest in the abode of
everyone in the Capitol Of Alabama Montgomerys City
Hall and tire White House in Washington, who is in
anyway. failing of their duty TO the America people.
Not Just Negroes in strifetorn southern states.
Communism NazSm and the various other dictatori-
al forms OF government have gotten their start, just
like the "hoodum eemtnt" of the South is shamefuy,
exhibiting their ignornace today. In time. those who
not Immediately affected were engufed by the
thing they allowed to grow.
Small conflagratons. thought at first. eventually
became monsters Monsters. that overthrow the entire
body polite. We investigate and svmpathize with
those suffers Of TYRANNY in Europe Korea and other
nations around the world Yes to the extent of
forwarding troops. billions OF dollars. and in many
instances. rskng the chance of World War.
But here in America. where laws govern us all, and
are upheld by the Highest court of the land pull
tho ostrich trickbury heads in the dirt How long
America?