Microfilm Reel 285, File 543, "Lynching"

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All the microfilm scans from the file number 543, "Lynching," on reel 285 from the Executive Office files of the Woodrow Wilson Papers, series 4 in the Library of Congress finding aid.

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THE WHITE HOUSE AUG 4 1915 RECEIVED

New York City August 3. 1915.

Honorable Woodrow Wilson President of the United States Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

WHEREAS, we have observed from the columns of the New York daily papers another unlawful, inhuman, dastard, brutish and fiendish crime, comitted by the white citizens composed of men, women and children in the public square of Temple, Texas; of the unlawful taking away from the officers of the law, as prisoner, a colored man by the name of Will Stanley charged with the murder of the three Grimes children, thereby defeating the ends of the court of justice in its mission, and the unlawful taking of human life in the most savage way known thereby robbing him of all the civic rights decreed to him under the Constitution of this Country. And

WHEREAS, we believe that this and other similar, unlawful and inhuman acts of any people are steps backward in the progress of Christian civilization in this age and country. And

WHEREAS, we as law abiding citizens positively and unreservedly condemn crime of whatever nature, by whoever it may be committed, regardless of race or color and while in the years gone by, we have looked to our white friends who professed superiority for higher ideals in society and religion; but we are pained with regret to say that our hopes have utterly failed and now we conclude "our only hope is in God, when we note such unpleasant happenings as this, which blots our civilization and places our Christianity into ill repute. However, we still believe some way or other that it is our bounden duty to trust and protest the government to whom we have sworn our allegiance and to whom we have proven our loyalty and fidelty by pouring out our life's blood on every battle field and in every war. Not only that, but in every class of service we have been called upon to render from the time we landed here until now, and we are as willing now to do as ever if we are treated and protected like other citizens. We believe confidently that the majority of the people of this country are willing to accord to us those rights quaranteed to us by the Constitution and that is all we ask and all we want.

THEREFORE, we as the members of the Baptist Church Union of Greater New York, pastors of fifteen regular Baptist Churches composing this compact do in general mass meeting assemble, unanimously agree to petition to the chief executive of the Nation, Hon. Woodrow Wilson, the President of the United States. in whose generous, uhbiased and impartial judgment we be-

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and in whose Christian principles we have faith, asking that he will use his interest in behalf of the millions of defenseless colored people who are at the mercy of just that class of people who unlawfully took from the officers Will Stanley who was burned and shot to death in the public square.

In appointing commissioners to investigate the acts and upon finding have brought to justice all persons who in any way contributed to this shameful and unlawful deed which has placed our entire country into shame and disgrace, for we are convinced if these atrocities are not immediately discouraged and suppressed they will not only increase making life more hideous but it will produce such an unwholesome sentiment and feeling between the races that it will be utterly impossible to mend the strained relation. We are unwilling for this state of affairs to be therefore we respectfully appeal to you in the name of Justice, Fair Play and Square Deal to grant our appeal in the interest of all the Negroes of this Country.

Respectfully submitted The Baptist Union of Greater New York.

H. Arthur Booker Cor. Sec.

M. B. Hucless. President

159 W. 182nd St/ New York, City.

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[stamp] THE WHITE HOUSE JUNE 16 1916 RECEIVED [/stamp]

[letterhead] OFFICERS P. G. MOORE, PRESIDENT J. R. GOODE, VICE PRESIDENT S. RICE, TREASURER C. A. VIRGIN, SECRETARY GEO. HOMER, SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE JOHN A. ROSS, CHAIRMAN CHARLES W. JOHNSON, VICE CHAIRMAN CLIFFORD A. VIRGIN, SECRETARY W. E. BARTHOLEMEWS SAMUEL HEINS S. KING P. G. MOORE J. R. GOODE S. RICE

Riverside Civic Association 19 WEST 99TH STREET

PLEASE ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATION IN CARE OF SECRETARY, 29 WEST 99TH STREET, NEW YORK CITY. [/letterhead]

NEW YORK CITY June 15, 1916.

Sir:

I have been directed by the Riverside Civic Association to transmit to you the following resolution adopted by it at the regular meeting of the Association held on Monday, June 12, 1916:

RESOLVED: That the Secretary of this Association be directed to forward to His Excellency, the President of the United States, an illustration depicting a lynching scene in the State of Georgia and to request His Excellency use whatever means the laws of the United States permits to suppress [underline]lynching[/underline] and mob violence; and further if no laws now exist which cover this crime to send a message to Congress on the subject so that our fair country will not suffer this shame any longer.

Faithfully yours,

[UNsigned]

RIVERSIDE CIVIC ASSOCIATION Secretary

Mr. Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States, Washington, D. C.

enc

[circled][unclear]543 or 5213 [note points to "lynching"?][/unclear][/circled]

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No citizen, whatever race or creed, is safe where Justice sleeps and Anarchy reigns.

THE LYNCHING, IN LEE COUNTY, GA., JAN. 20. 1916

(From an actual photograph)

Reproduced by The United Civic League of N. Y. City

Through the courtesy of The Crisis Magazine

"Shall the government of the people, by the people and for the people perish from the earth?"

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TELEGRAM

18WU. RA. 77- 2:50 p.m.

Baltimore, Maryland, August 9, 1916.

THE PRESIDENT.

The National Association of Colored Women in convention assembled in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, August sixth to tenth, representing fifty thousand women of this great republic, wish to call your attention to the lynching of negro men, women and children in the United States. This heinous crime is striking at the root of American civilization. We respectfully call upon you, our chief executive, to declare to this convention your position on this question.

Georgia Nugent, Corresponding Secretary.

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