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henry L. Weathers, Pubiishcr
Ned Smith, General Manager
Jerry C. Ausband, Editor
Lindsey E. Dail, Advertising Mgr.
4 — Friday, April 12, 1968
Retrospect, Respectfully
GuV. DAN K. MOORE hits the nail
on the head in his statement Wednesday
that summed up the preparations, ac¬
tions and conditions of street violence
surrounding the slaying of Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr.
Moore, on the hot seat when viol¬
ence broke out, acted with forceful, yet
deliberate, means and speed to cancel
out as much effect of the violence as
possible. As he points out, the fact that
no lives were lost in North Carolina,
while or more lives were lost in the
nation, is tribute to the professional
Way in which the governor and state
reacted to the emergencies.
Yet, with the emergency over,
Moore and others are not standing still.
As we have repeatedly said, the emerg¬
ency can and should be used as the con¬
tinuance of good racial progress and
Community harmony in this state.
MOORE PUTS IT this way: “We
must not forget, however, that much
remains to be done. There are those in
North Carolina who are understandably
frustrated by their inability to fullv
share in the growing prosperity. We will
seek for them a more productive and
satisfying life. To accomplish these
goals, the men and women of all races
and stations in life must turn once
again with renewed dedication to the
business of making North Carolina all
that we want her to be, and all that
she can be.”
That is not to say that Moore or
any other right-thinking North Carolin¬
ian can overlook the obvious, as Moore
says: "The death. . . has been used by
some misguided youths and by hood¬
lums and criminals as an excuse to riot
and destroy property and threaten the
lives and safety of the law-abiding citi¬
zens of North Carolina. We nave mov¬
ed forcefully against these persons- and
we will maintain our vigil against their
devilry so long as danger exists. These
acts of violence have not advanced the
cause of the Negro people. . . .”
MOORE. TOO. CONGRATULATES
all law enforcement agencies, and
rightly, all law enforcement officers
and 4,637 National Guardsmen tor their
aplomb in the face of lost sleep, ten¬
sion and trouble. The officers, inc'nd-
ing those in Cleveland County and Rn*l-
by acted without malice, acteu pr; s-
siorally, acted coolly, acted ii at
complaint. Theirs is not a .mb tha 't
СП
draws the praise of citizens, b >. tie
jot, they did — whether prevc .g
trouble or policing it — should have all
our heartfelt thanks and appreciation.
Despite the thousands of dollars
damage suffered in the street violence
fires and the hundreds arrested in this
state, North Carolinians can be proud
that the situation got no more out of
hand than it did. That is not to say
North Carolinians should rest on their
laurels and congratulate themselves.
That is also not to say that more seri¬
ous trouble cannot yet erupt.
But, nonetheless, the words of Gov.
Moore ring true:
“FINALLY. I COMMEND the calm
and restraint exercised by the over¬
whelming majoritv of the citizens of
North Carolina. You have shown the
true fiber of a great people in keeping
calm in the face of grave danger."
