Congressional Investigation of Lynching
Title
Congressional Investigation of Lynching
Creator
Shillady, John R., 1875-1943.
Identifier
TI00154
Date
1919 July 10
Description
Statement of John R. Shillady, Secretary of the NAACP asking for a congressional investigation of lynching.
Source
National Archives and Records Administration 230/06/41 file #158260 box #1276 NARA ID #95
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library
Subject
African-Americans--segregation
Language
English
Text
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE
70 Fifth Avenue, New York
CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION OF LYNCHING
We believe the matter reproduced in the enclosed document warrants us in asking for a Congressional Investigation of Lynching.
Not only are mob murders advertised in the press of Mississippi, of Louisiana, and of other states, but state officers have confessed their inability to accord United States citizens the protection guaranteed under the Constitution.
In connection with the hanging and burning of John Hartfield at Ellisville, Mississippi, on June 26, Governor Bilbo said:
"The State has no troops and if the civil authorities at Ellisville are helpless, the State is equally so. Furthermore, excitement is at such a high pitch throughout Mississippi that any armed attempt to interfere with the mob would doubtless result in the death of hundreds of persons."
If American civilization is not to be made a mockery, the American people, through their representatives, must insist on observance of common decencies and of the law.
John R. Shillady
Secretary
Enclosure.
70 Fifth Avenue, New York
CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION OF LYNCHING
We believe the matter reproduced in the enclosed document warrants us in asking for a Congressional Investigation of Lynching.
Not only are mob murders advertised in the press of Mississippi, of Louisiana, and of other states, but state officers have confessed their inability to accord United States citizens the protection guaranteed under the Constitution.
In connection with the hanging and burning of John Hartfield at Ellisville, Mississippi, on June 26, Governor Bilbo said:
"The State has no troops and if the civil authorities at Ellisville are helpless, the State is equally so. Furthermore, excitement is at such a high pitch throughout Mississippi that any armed attempt to interfere with the mob would doubtless result in the death of hundreds of persons."
If American civilization is not to be made a mockery, the American people, through their representatives, must insist on observance of common decencies and of the law.
John R. Shillady
Secretary
Enclosure.
To
Testimony
Collection
Citation
Shillady, John R., 1875-1943., “Congressional Investigation of Lynching,” 1919 July 10, TI00154, Race and Segregation Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.