Atlanta, Ga., November 14—Editors of leading daily papers in six of the Southern states have united in a signed statement asking for mutual helpfulness and cooperation between the white and colored race in the South, for adequate educational advantages for colored people for equality before the law, and for the abatement of mob violence. The paper was drafted in a conference in Virginia editors and has since been signed personally by more than 50 other editors of leading dailies in North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. Practically every man to whom it was presented readily attached his name. It is believed therefore that with few exceptions it fairly represents the attitude of the Southern press as a whole. The statement follows:
In the attainment and maintenance of improved interracial relations in our Southern states we believe that a policy of cooperation between the more thoughtful of both races is fundamental, this being the antithesis of antagonism and polemic discussion.
Mutual helpfulness between the whites and blacks should be encouraged; the better element of both races striving by precept and example to impress the interdependence of peoples living side by side, yet apart.
The Negroes of the South are largely dependent upon the white press for current news of the day. It would be well if even greater effort was made to publish news of a character which is credible to the Negro showing his development as a people along desirable lines. This would stimulate him to try to attain to a higher standard of living.
“We do not believe that education suited to the needs of the (couple words unreadable) race is harmful. It is a generally accepted fact that in both races if the entire mass were educated, industrial problems would adjust themselves automatically and be less fit either race would find the work and place for which he was best equipped. It has been authoritatively stated that the Negro (word obscured) would absorb all teachers, physicians and lawyers the school may turn out.
The influence of the thoughtful ?? of both races should be invoked in the effort to establish and assure equality before the law for Negro defendants in all criminal trials.
Abatement of mob rule and its crimes is an aim to which all good citizens should pledge their support.
In the harmonious cooperation of the thoughtful and exemplary men and women of both races lies the prospect of larger understanding and better interracial ??
From the front page of the Tri-City Daily Gazette, November 14, 1923
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