Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1961-05-13

In recent weeks the u S. Department of Justice
has been showing increased with the matter
OF the denial of the right to vote to Negro citizens
an exclusively southern fault in the nationwide pat
tern of segregation and discrimination against Negro
cltzens fact that IN the eyes of the rest of the
peoples of the world, is probably the worst blot
American Democracy.
The increased concern of the u S. Department of
Justice with this matter is evident in the recent suits
filed against the states of Alabama and Louisiana be-
cause of the denial of the right to vote to Negro cit
zens of those states; and regards this matter
things exist today in Mississippi such suit be
pected In this state at anytime.
The existing widespread denial of the right to vote
in Mississippi supported by recently enacted state laws
admittedly proposed for that purpose, and the psy-
Geological effect Negroes from the attitude of those
who command the economic and political power and
authority at the local levels is well understood by every
observant and intelligent Mississippian.
In such time as this in the nations history when
its most renowned scholars and highest placed political
leaders witnesses to the adverse effects of racial segre
cation and discrimination American democracy and
the position of this nation in the eyes of the world
think the time has for intelligent Missssippans
to join in helping to remove this blot from this state
There is thing about which those who are in
a position to help Negroes in obtaining the right to
vote in the state be douby certain and that is that
the only reason that the best and responsible Negroes
of this state want the right to vote is to be able
ing what is best for the future of their community and
ing wha best for the future of their community and
state.
Those who have allowed the question of public
school Indignation to become the excuse for supporting
the widespread denial of the right to vote to Negroes
in the state would be far realistic in concluding
that Negroes in Mississippi despite the urging of the
professionals are beginning to look upon their school
as just another American school, and not going to
vote them out of existence.
There is some evidence also on which to base the
conclusion that Mississippi Negroes should be given
the full right to vote in order that the people of
Mississippi get the true picture of the impact of
American Race prejudice the nations world posi-
ton from those who in position to know Recently
the Attorney General of the United States has revealed
that he has been discussing this matter with southern
members of the Congress who have given their approval
to his plans, but always with the reservation, "dont
mention my name because it will hurt me politically"
The only reason any southern member of the Con-
gress can be hurt by openly admitting the need for
changing the racial patterns and attitudes this
try is because of the widespread denial of the right to
vote to Negroes in the which the members of Con-
gress represents.
Give the Mississippi Negro the right to vote Let the
states members of the Congress speak free on race
relations in Mississippi and it's effect the nation and
the rest of the world is of the greatest challenges
now facing the responsible citizens of this state.