Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-07-30
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LYNCH LAW IN CALIFORNIA.


The papers generally of last week were
full Of the details of California news, then |
just received, s. espeolally of the arrest, trial
and execution of a robber by Committee OF
citizens of San Francisco. The criminal, who
gave his name as john JENKINS Ia native
of London and an escaped convict from
Australia, entered an office after night and
stole small iron safe contaiaing consid-
cradle SUN of money. Being Immediately
pursued. he was captured and taken>pos-
session of by some of the vigilance COM
mittee." This committee is said to be COM
posed of many of the most respectable peo-
pie of the place, who, finding it impossible
to punish crime by due process oflaw, band
ed together for the purpose. The numer-
Gus robberies, barglaries, and acts of incen-
diarism induced them to form this deter
mination. JENKINS was conducted to their
headquarters, where he was tried in the
presence of about eighty members OF the
conclave, sitting with closed doors, and SEN
fenced to be hung that night The execu-
ton accordingly took place on the public
square about two o'clock in the night before
large crowd, Notwithstanding the efforts
of the police, aided by some of the citizens,
to get possession of the prisoner. The next
morning, the body was cut down by the
Marshal, and coroner's inquest held. The
verdict found stated the facts of the case,
and mentioned the names of niue Of the
committee who were implicated She affair.
The remaining members forthwith publish
ed all their names that the nine might not
stand alone, Intense excitement prevailed
in the city and several public meetings had
been held but at the last dates no arrests
, had been made. The great body of the
people appear to approve of the conduct OF
the committee, and it IS stated that many
: other citizens enrolled their names among
them after the occurrence related.
Of all the many cases of Lynch-law exc
: cution which have been enacted in our coun-
e Try, this seems to have been the most re-
e markable and most fearful. The noble
S words of an Irish judge who was beset by
t moi, in the streets, and while covered
: with pike wounds and fainting from loss OF
E blood exclaimed, "Let no man perish in con-
sequence of my death but by the regular op-
Grafton of the laws" express the principle
upon which all individual safety depends.
When this principle is departed from, every
man is in danger-no one is secure. Se'
it is commended that there are certain con-
ditions of society, when, the laws proving
entirely inadequate for the protection oflife
and property, the people are compelled to
take the law into their own hands. 1t is
) difficult, however. to justify resort to
Lynch law under any circumstances The
same public sentiment that impels the mas
: ses Indignantly to rise and punish the gull
ty, might, it would seem, if properly direct
ed, avail to secure regular execution of
the law. The state of society IN San Fran
cisco must indeed be deplorable. A letter
dated June 18th, says
"Our city seems to be doomed The last
: conaagration has swept away the means OF
thousands, who are thus thrown into dis
tress at time when business is failing; con-
fdence between man and man disappear
ing; reliance upon laws and tribunals prov
) ing hopeless; crimes of all sorts increasing
fearfully and midnight murderings, burn.
ings, and lynching compelling every body
to keep watch for their dwellings, and to
protect themselves and families from the
burglar and assassin. We stand, as it were,
upon the edge of volcano. God only
knows what is to be the ISSUE"
o. The Select Committee of the Con-