Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-06-19

LYNCH LAW IN MARrIAND.-l Hc Iia-
ditional respect of the people of Mary
land for law and order, immemorial and
universal as it has hitherto been, with
few exceptions, throughout the State,
has received an unexpected shock in the
,racical incident of lynch law, of which
the negro ravisher, Sims, was the VIC
tim during the early hours of Monday
morning. 1t is true that the crime for
which he was committed TO the Annap-
oils iail was of character TO arouse the
most terrible Indignation OF all right
feeling men. 1t is true that he would
have been punished Immediately on ar
rest if the authorities had not rescued
him from the hands of an incenSed peo-
nile and placed him in 4 prison where
he was supposed TO be secure. but'
H., bay;n1 been done, and time being
thereby offered for calm dellberailon,
the lynching cannot be excused, as 1t
arises from no pressure of circumstances.
We make all allowances for the revolt
inc and execrable character OF the out
rage, and for the necessity that is felt
of some protection, especially in lonely
country regions, from offences Which,
in perpetration and attempt, have been
80 common of late years i'll this and adj
Joining States. This is the second case
OF the kind within three or four months,
the preceding one having occurred IN
Prince Georges county, and the victim
being q younc married woman from the
North. We fully recognize the fact
that whatever be the result, such deeds
in Maryland are going to be avenged
by lawful processes, when once iulIy
established; for any community which
does not protect woman from such
crimes does not deserve to be called civ
ilized and is scarcely human. But the
laws Of the land have provided for deal
ing with all violations OF the law and
this among the rest, and IN very sure
manner. Tribunals have been estab-
lished for the trial of all offences against
the law and suitable penalties annexed,
The heaviest of all the penalties known
TO the law-death-iS prescribed for the
offense of Sims. There is no doubt that
the courts of Maryland are disposed to
do Justice to all classes OF offenders, and
there no reason to doubt that prompt
and impartial judgment would have been
rendered in the case OF Sims. In view
of the horrible natnre OF the crime,
Chief Justice Miller had called an extra
session of the court for W ednesday, the
3O,h of June, 10 try the criminal. 1t
would have been necessary to await for
only two weeks the action OF the courts.
4 meeting was afterwards held at
Odenton. at which resolutions were
adopted and given to the public, eX-
pressing satisfaction at the promptneSs
of the authorities in their proposal TO
try Sims at an early day, and requesting
that there be 10 delay in his sentence
and execution after conviction. This is
now alleged to have been designed TO
throw the authorities of their guard,
that the lyuching might more success
tuly he accomplished; but this We earn
estly hope is an incorrect assumption.
There seems to be prevailing i'll var
rious parts of the country disposition
TO take the law, i'll very outrageous
cases, out of the hands of the regular
authorities, and this has been notably
the case in Boston, wheie the propriety
of lynchine has been even preached
from the pulpit. But cooler reflection
must satisfy all rational men that, where
the tribunals of the law are just and i'm
Partial, there is no reason to assert self
preservation, which is the first law OF
nature, through the dangerous agencies
of lynch law There cannot be the
slightest reason to doubt, from the pub
lie sentiment of Maryland and the char
acter of our tribunals, that such ottenses
rs that of Sims would be treated with
promptness and Justice by our courts
and iuries, and that the criminal IN tins
case would have met at the hands OF
the law his deserved fate. The crime
which he committed brought no talnt
of criminality on any one but himself,
but lynching Especially in the capital
Of the State brings discredit on the
State, however uudeservcd, from the
generally law and order. abiding char
acter of our people, that discredlt may
be.-Bahimore Sun.