Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-06-17
Lynch Law in Rockingham.

Lynch Law in Rockingham.
We gave in our last issue some facts in regard
to the popular excitement in Rockingham a
gainst Jefferson Randall and other desperate
characters who have for some time past infest-
ed the neighborhood of Port Republic in that
county. On Tuesday evening, after the publica-
ton of our paper, we were greatly shocked to
learn that Randall had been hung, the night pre-
yious, not by an infuriated populace, (would
that we could say IT'D but by more than one
hundred of the most respectable citizens of Rock
ingham; aided and encouraged, we are sorry to
be informed, by number of equally respectable
citizens of our own county. The facts, so far as
we have been able to gather them are briefly
these: After the arrest of Randall, he was in
formed that if he would furnish such testimony
as would lead to his conviction, he would be
handed over to the officers of the law, and be
allowed the privilege of a trial. Having failed
to furnish such facts rs in the opinion of the
people would be sufficient to insure such o re-
suit. meeting was held at which it was deter
mined by a large majority that Randall should
suffer death. Thirty hours were granted to him
in which to make preparation for his fate, dur
ing which time clergyman of the Methodist
Episcopal Church was with him. At the ap-
pointed time, about half past twelve on Monday
night, be was taken from the place of his con-
fnement, marched down the streets of Port Re.
public to o bridge near the town, where a gal
lows had been erected, and in the presence of
more than hundred witnesses was launched into
eternity. And this deed was done upon the soil
of Virginia by some of her best citizens-many
of them our personal frencs-the last men in
the world whom we would have suspected of
participation in transaction so fraught with
mischief to society-so pernicious in all its ten
dencies-so entirely destitute of the sanction of
law, human or divine. Great, indeed, must have
been the provocation, desperate the emergency
and intense the excitement that could have sug-
gested to the minds of such men a resort to such
an expedient to rid the community OF the worst
of evils; but that they could have been induced,
under any circumstances, actually to engage in
such proceeding we could not have imagined.
We have no doubt that the poor wretch who
has fallen victim to the vengeance Of the in
censed people met with well-deserved fate
We have no doubt that he merited the halter as
richly as any felon who ever felt it draw. we
are satisfied that he burnt barns, and broke open
smoke-houses, and tempered with negroes, and
threatened the lives of peaceable citizens. 1t
is admitted that he was an astute, cunning vii
lain, covering up his tracks with so much o.
droitness that it was impossible to procure evil
dence to convict him OF his numerous crimes
But neither these nor o thousand other such
facts furnish any sort of justification for the per-
petration of an act in utter violation OF all law,
and more pernicous in its consequences upon
society at large than sll the crimes hundred
desperadoes could have committed in century.
The arm of the law must indeed be nerveiess in
the county of Rockingham, if it has not strength
enough to protect the people in their rights of
person and property. Upon representation OF
the character of Randall, and their apprehen-
sions in regard to him, by the men who have ia
ken the law into their own hands, we venture
to say there is not justice of the peace in Rock
ingham who would not have bound him in such
a snm that confinement in Jail would have been
his inevitable and permanent fate. Here was
remedy, plain simple and effectual which might
at least have been tried, before resort was had
to the dangerous and unauthorized code of
Judge Lynch. 1t must at least be shown that
every legal remedy was tried before any plea
in justification or palliation can be urged by the
parties engaged in the horrible affair.
In all candor and sincerity we regard the
hanging of Randall as one of the most deplorable
events that has ever occurred in the State of Vir-
ginia; and it is the more to be regretted because
of the high character of the men who have thus
ignored and trampled under foot the laws of the
Commonwealth. We indulge in no denuncia-
tons of men whose consciences, we feel satisfied
will do that work in their moments of calm and
serious reflection. Persons in the neighborhood
of the excitement and in the midst of the perils
are not the men to decide upon the propriety
of their own doings. 1t is those at distance
from the scene who can see and lament the rash
ness of their course, as subversive of all law and
order, and productive of the most disastrous
consequences.
We are told that We are not in situation
10 Judge IN regard 10 the matter-that II we
had lived in that community we would have
acted with tho Vigilance Committee. 1t is
possible that we might, but if We had done so,
we should have been guilty OF great wrong
1t is indeed sad affair, and we mourn over
it with heavness of heart, as OMNIBUS of Il fear
full state of society not far distant in the future
Let it be once understood that the populace are
to undertake the reparation of their wrongs
without the interpositon of law that q man
supposed to be maletactor may be arrested by
the mob, without legal testimony against him,
convicted by apopular vote, and hung for crimes
punishable by the laws with confinement in the
penitentiary merely, and no man is safe-no
man knows how soon his turn may come. For
ourselves we feel it to be our solemn duty to
express our strong diSapprobation of all such H.
legal, and violent proceedings. Against mob
law in all its phases We set our face now, hence
forth and foever
Strawberries.
We are indebted to SIR. William b. Crawford
for mess of strawberries-red, ripe and deli
cious Mr.. c. excels in the cultivation of this