Letter from Mary White Ovington to J. A. A. Burnquist, June 18, 1920.
Type of event: Lynchings
Location: Minnesota; United States
Addressee: J. A. A. Burnquist
Addressor: Mary White Ovington
Document date:
Document type: Correspondence
Documents: Letter from Mary White Ovington to J. A. A. Burnquist, June 18, 1920.
Citation:
Minnesota. Governor (1915-1921: Burnquist).
Records.
Subject Files (File 648c): Duluth Lynchings, 1920.
Letter from Mary White Ovington to J. A. A. Burnquist, June 18, 1920.
Image text
NATIONAL
OFFICERS
---- PRESIDENT Moorfield Storey VICE-PRESIDENTS Archibald H. Grimke
Rev. John Haynes Holmes Bishop John Hurst Arthur B. Spingarn Oswald Garrison Villard |
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THEADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE70 Fifth Avenue, New YorkTelephone: Chelsea 9386 |
EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
---- CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Mary White Ovington John R. Shillady, Secretary
J.E. Spingarn, Treasurer Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois, Director of Publications and Research James Weldon Johnson, Field Secretary
Walter F. White,
Assistant Secretary
|
June 18, 1920.
Hon. J. A. Burnquist, Governor,
State Capitol, St. Paul,
Minn.
My dear Governor Burnquist:
I write to tell you that I
appreciate how much you must suffer from the tragic lynchings that have occurred
in Duluth. That such a crime should occur in the State of Minnesota only shows
how lawlessness against the Negro is spreading throughout the
country.
The suggestion has been made that we should investigate the
lynchings. I am confident however that the State will desire at once to do this
and to see that the guilty parties are brought to justice.
We have
always looked with pride upon the St. Paul Branch as having the honor of having
the Governor of the State as its President and we know that you will take every
means possible to bring the men guilty to justice. If there is any way that we
can co-operate from the office we shall be most glad to give any assistance that
you may desire.
I remember with deep pleasure meeting you when I was at
St. Paul two years ago and having the opportunity to talk with you upon the
Negro question.
Most sincerely,
M. W. Ovington
Chairman.