The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-05-07
Nashville NIObOcracy.

Nashville, in population, is the sec
Dnd city in the State, the seat of gov
eminent, and should have a more cul-
tivated population than any town in
the State 1t is the place where laws
are made, and where resides the Chief
Magistrate of the State. These things
would argue that Nashville is the
most lawabiding and enlightened city
in the State; but Fridays outrage on
law, argues that Nashville is semi
FerbarOus Our State is shamed by
this occurrence at our capital. A ne
gro named Reed commits an unprO-
rOKed murder; thereupOn, in the very
fHee of the civil authorities, and In the
presence of Nashville S refined society
assembled TO witness it, Reed Is taken
from the Jail and bdrJdr0uSly murder
Ell. This is done with the approval Of
the Tailor, the Mayor and police,
Sheriff and eonstabulary force, and
citizens generally of Nashville. We
Say with their approval; for had they
kiisapproyed, it would have been very
pasy to prevent this murder. There
is an old Atlrenian maxim: ole who
stands 10y and sees a crime committed
without cndeavOring to prevent 1t, is
scarcely less criminal than he who
commits d crime by this maxim
the Mayor and police, Sheriff and citi-
gems cf Nashville, are guilty Of muir
der. We say this crime might easily
have been prevented. Had the Tailor
been truly brave and heroic man, he
aIene could have prevented the taking
of Reed from the Jail. One resOlute
3nAh, With the assistance % a gun and
4 Colts repeater, could have ended
the nob. We have no personal
kaswledge o. Jailor Heverin, but from
the acro unit of tie affair given by the
Nashville rapcTs, lie is singularly
ryYdnting i'm the hcroism necessary to
fine Jailor of sem i-baTbarOus place
like Nashv ille--hc is wanting in the
courage necessary TO protect that mob |
oeratfC population from itself And |
yet he may lie brave in personal en-
counter or i'm the carnage OF battle. |
when he is called upon to act the he |
rO-to protect those put under his
charge: not only to risk, but TO saCri |
fee his life, in discharge of his duty
he is found utterly wanting in this
kind of heToiSm. lie stands by with |
folded hauds, and without even an
effort ut resistance, permits his prison
how guilty Reed was, il was the Jail
OPS duty to have sacrificed his own
life i'm preserving him from the ven
geance of the mob for the vengeance
Of the law Ifa Jailor is not ready to
do this, then he should not I've Jailor
II Is not every man who would do
this; and 81 it is not every man who
is fit for Tailor This is one of Jail
OPS qualities, and il he have it not, he
should not assume the office of Jailor.
Incorporated in a Jailor's oath and
bond there should lie provision re-
EuiIing him To sacrifice his life in de-
fence Of those put under his charge.
1t is now morally a condition Of his
offiee, and should lie one of the legal
Of his oath and bond
We are reminded of an incident of
mob law that occurred in Henry
County, Ky, in 1859 In this county
resided several brothers by the name
Of Porter One of them was accused of
and tried for poisoning his wife. He
was acquitted, hut the mob Thought
him guilty, and ordered him and his !
brothers to quit the county. One of I
the brothers remained after the time {
allowed him. In the presence of his '
wife and children, he was set upon
and fired at 10y the mob. He made ]
his escape, however. His wife and {
children were afterwards taken TO him |
NJ the mouth OF the kentucky River. 7
rhey were taken there 10y his wife's /
brother, a man named Hunly. The {
mob or vigilance committee, then or s
fered IIuuly to leave the county. ]
IBis he refused To do. lie was given d
.htil the coming saturday to set his \
8airs !u order and leave the county. ri
1unIy was young man of ire S
rOaShabie character. He was un- G
carried md lived with his father and c,
lother-iwO Old people over sixty Ii