A PLEA FOR THE NEGRO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2339, 4 November 1908, Page 7

A PLEA FOR THE NEGRO.

BOOKER WASHINGTON’S IMPASSIONED CHARGE.

In. a statement telegraphed to the “New York World” -Booker Washington, the negro who had- the distinction a few years ago of dining with President (Roosevelt, said: “Within the past sixty days twentyfive negroes have been lynched in different parts of tlie United States. Of this number only four were even charged with criminal assault- uponwomen. 'Nine were lynched in one day on the charge of being connected with murder. Four were lynched' m one -day on the charge that they passed resolutions in a lodge ‘approving the murder of an individual. Three were lynched in one day on the charge that they had taken part in the burning of a ginhouse. The others were lynched for miscellaneous reasons. “One was publicly burned an open daylight in the presence of and children, after oil had- been poured upon his body, at Greenville, Tex., and reports state tliat- a thousand people witnessed the spectacle in the open square of the town. One other victim was eighty years of age. How -long can our Christian civilization stand this? I .am making no special plea for the negro—innocent or guilty—but I am calling at-_ tention to the danger that threatens our civilisation. “For the negro criminal, and especially for the negro loafer, gambler and drunkard, T have nothing hut the severest condemnation, and no legal punishment is too severe for the that assaults a woman. “It requires no courage for SCO men to tie the hands of an individual to the stake or to hang or shoot him. But young men and hoys who have once witnessed or who have read in the papers’ of these exciting scenes of burnings and- lynchings often, get the idea that there is something heroic in attacking some individual in the community who is least able to defend himself. “The courts are for all. I ask fo-r justice for, the negro.. Thers is no justice in C mob.” , -