The Marrow of Tradition

Major Carteret is disappointed that his white supremacy campaign has gained little traction due to a lack of interest. He calls a meeting of the “Big Three” (himself, McBane, and Belmont) to discuss a path forward. Belmont tells the other men that they must get public opinion on their side to avoid being perceived as evil. They plan to use the major’s newspaper as an organ. They look at the town’s Black paper to see if they can make use of its contents.

Major Carteret, McBane, and Belmont inspect the Afro-American Banner together, noticing ads for skin-whitening and hair-straightening products. There is an article criticizing lynchings inspired by interracial marriage, which is perfectly legal in the eyes of God and most states. Belmont counsels the other men on when to use the article but warns against immediate punishment of the writer. He sends Jerry out for drinks, and after McBane is rude to the servant, the other men judge his behavior. Listening in again, Jerry has a sense of their plot but mainly worries over whether he should return the general’s change. As the meeting wraps up, the general warns the major that