Digital History>eXplorations>Lynching>Anti-Lynching Legislation of the 1930s>Julian Harris to Walter White

Letter from the Editor of the Atlanta Constitution, Julian Harris, to Walter White Letter (January 6, 1934)

Source: NAACP Papers, Library of Congress

"While I have battled vigorously against lynching and race injustice, I must confess there are moments when I do not feel convinced that a Federal anti-lynching law would result in a successful handling of this phase of our lack of civilization. I have always believed very strongly in the state' rights, and this was the principal ground of my objection to the 18th amendment. Personally, I think that whiskey is far from being an admirable beverage, but I feel that to handle it in the Federal Constitution was to open the way for a whole catalog of anti-this and anti-that, which might eventually include tobacco, coffee and tea, or even pumpkin pie.

It is a question in my mind as to whether a Federal anti-lynching law would not create more friction than the right type of state law. On the other hand, I am aware that certain things must be handled by the Federal Government, and it is possible that the anti-lynching law is one of them. As you know, the South is very sensitive to any further invasion of its territory or any infringement on its Mores.

Outside interference upset the apple cart in the case of Leo Frank, and I think it did much harm in the Scottsboro cases. Please believe that I have none of this feeling, but it does exist quite generally in the South. And I know you will agree that even states above the Mason-Dixon Line are sensitive about comments from the South."