Mississippi: God Bless Everyone

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During his campaign for Governor, Mississippi's Democratic Lieutenant Governor Paul Burney Johnson Jr. rarely stopped talking about race. "Either you believe in states' rights, home rule," he told one rural rally, "or you believe in turning over this state to a black minority." He got surefire belly laughs with his definition of the N.A.A.C.P. as a combine of "niggers, alligators, apes, coons and possums."

So, when Johnson was inaugurated last week as the state's 54th Governor, folks expected more of the same. They were surprised: Johnson's inaugural address was the epitome of moderation.

"You and I are part of this world, whether we like it or not," he told the sun-drenched Capitol lawn crowd at Jackson. "We are Americans as well as Mississippians." While he is Governor, Johnson vowed, "hate, prejudice or ignorance will not lead Mississippi." He would oppose what he felt was morally and constitutionally wrong. "But if I must fight, it will not be a rearguard defense of yesterday. It will be an all-out assault for our share of tomorrow."

Johnson's peroration was equally surprising. Said he: "God bless every one of you, all Mississippians, black and white, here and away from home."

Now all he has to do is live up to such sentiments—and in Mississippi, that is easier said than done.