The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-08-28
From the Savannah Republican.
A LESSON FOR LYNcHERs.

the South for the public safety, OF body OF
citizens taking the law into their own hands
aud practically substituting themselves for
the judicial tribunals Of the land. Consid-
erations of public policy and individual JUS
tice have been urged again and again. We
have now an argument of facts, derived from
recent experience which We desire to bring
home to those who are insensible to all other
appeals. The circumstances are local, but
they are terrible in their significance, and
universal in their application.
Before doing so, however, let Us not be
misunderstood. We do not mean 10 say
that there are not cases. such as extensive
and indicate combinatios threatening imme-
diate or wide spread disaster. 10 which the
tardy process OF the law NAV be inconsistent
with the public safety, and perhaps others
for which the law affords no adequate rene
dy. These, however, rarely occur. Our
views are confined to the ordinary crimes
committed in the country, for the punish
ment Of which the law and its authorized
administrators are ample for all the ends of
public justice and social security.
In the month Of February last, in this city,
an alteration occurred in an obscure street,
between a white man named Patrick Brady
and negro. Brady received stab in the
breast, from which he died in few hours.
Suspicion fastened upon one Paul, at that
time a runaway, who had been seen in the
neighborhoOd the night Of the occurrence.
Many became convinced Of his guilt; par
Nv OF the friends Of deceased collected and
hunted him down until he was forced to take
refuge in a bakers oven, where he was shot.
He subsequently, died Of his wounds, though
protesting his innocence to the last. So
great was the excitement against all con-
cerned, that the Mayor was induced to or
der out the militia to guard the witnesses
from the Council Chamber to the Jail.
Again: some three weeks ago, the over
seer Of gentleman Of this county was muir
dered while passing from the house to the
held, about daylight. Suspicion rested on
one Adam, negro under his charge, who
had but few days previous been severely
chastised and had been heard 20 use threat
ening language with regard 10 the deceased.
The neighbors collected, Adam was arrest
ed, and besides the circumstances fayoring
his guilt, a small negro boy. under the i'm
pulse Of fear, no doubt, testified that he saw
Uncle Adam shoot the oyerseer with a gun,
and then drag him OF to the bushes and bu
ry him.
The crowd we're greatly incensed and in
sisted on hanging the alleged murderer forth
with, together with several Of his fellow
servants supposed 10 be implicated. A cor
oner's Jury we're VI the opinion that Adam
was the real murderer, which seemed 10 be
enough 70 authorize an immediate execution
Of the law. Through the influence Of few
more considerate by.standers, aud with great
difficulty, the crowd we're induced TO forego
the execution 81 summary yengeance, and
Adam was brought @ the city, and lodged
10 Jail, where he remains, We believe, al the
present time.
Here are two cases; third completes the
story. II Is aslollOws:
On Tuesday last, desperate negro. nam.
ed Toney, VINO had been for many months
the terror Of the CITY and is neighborhood,
after much hard fighting and being shot se-
serely, was arrested. Believing that the
end OF his guilty career Was nigh, be tolun-
tarily confessed, in the presence Of a large
number Of gentlemen, thar he was the real
murderer Of Mr. Brady, and that the unror-
tunate Paul, who had paid the penalty with
his life, on suspicion, Was entirely innocent;
and ignorant d the transaction until inform-
ed Of IL BY others The confession, alas,
came too late.
lie also confessed that he murdered Mr.
Williams, tie oyer.eer of Mr.. Hines. aud
going 70 the spot where il was hid, produe-
ej the hoe with which he dug BIZ u bury
bis victim, By the eide Of The canal. Adam,
he assured them, was guililess.
Comment il unnecessary. All will see Ia
the circumstances related the terrible dan.
ger Of substituting the decree of an excited
multitude for the dispassionate and impair.
tial arbitrament If tie courts.
CALco AND smE.-There are people, we
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