Henderson Daily Dispatch

Georgia's Race Scare
Excitement mounting from rumor of race disturbances, a product of the present heated political campaign now going on there. Georgia has not always been known as a State which is possessed of prejudices and violences against the Negroes, and outsiders need secure no small amount of the comfort that when the race question can be employed to advantage sometimes it is used unless that such a situation accounts for at least part of the current disturbing talk. Georgians have the reputation of having always dealt sternly with colored men who have committed excesses against white people. Not so long ago Governor Talmadge had a run-in with members of the faculty of the State University over the plea current of Negroes. One was that the University dropped coming among Southern institutions of higher learning. He has not recanted but has stood so firmly his campaign along that line and apparently is out to make his appeal for re-election.
If Georgia colored people have shown greater effrontery under their circumstances, their attitude may in part stem from a complex developed as the result of the influence which may or may not continue. We would not presume to pass judgment without the thorough background. Peace between the North and the South will not be assured when men go that way to stir strife and chill, or to magnify trifling incidents. Leaders of both races can unite and colored people a genuine effort by applying the sense of sound common sense working out difficulties rather than assuming an attitude of defiance.
Progress has been made in this direction in recent years, but much less time is necessary to tear down all the good will that has been built up than is required in creating it. If serious threats have been made against existing cordiality, the sensible thing would be for both races to agree their efforts and abilities toward eliminating such a threat. Results would be more pleasing and more beneficial immediately and in the long run if such a policy were adopted.
There is room in the South for both the white man and the Negro without racial clashes of any kind. That has been demonstrated of late years, with each group going its own way, and each cooperating with the other when and where this has been desirable and necessary. We can think of no reason why this relationship should not be continued if there is cooperation on the part of both to that end.