The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-08-01
Ed. Holmes in the Penitentiary.

Eu' nolmeS In the Penltentiary
On Friday morning last, the negro who com.
mitted the terrible outrage on Mr.. IIumphrics'
infant daughter, was arrested on Mr.. q. Hills
plantation, brought to town and formally COM
mittcd to Jail. The Sheriff having received in,
formation FROM reliable parties that raid would
probably be made upon the Jail at night and the
prisoner taken out and lynched, that officer, in
the faithful discharge of his duty, and fully ap-
preciating the grave responsibility of his posi-
ton in the premises, not only rs the highest
peace officer of the County, but as guardian
Of the sanctity and dignity Of tho law. very
prudently decided to remove the prisoner from
the Jail and place him where the vengeance of
ali excited people, very naturally aroused by
tn, cnormity Of his crime, would not be likely
to reach him with summary revenge, without
the process of law. When the o'clock train
arrived from Columbia arrangements were
made to quietly place the prisoner on board, in
charge Of a trusty officer. OF the route taken
aftcrward we know nothing, nor is material in
formation to any one but the journey of officer
and prisoner ended safely on Saturday, at the
State Penitentiary, where the latter was deposi
ted under the care of Superintendent Lipscome,
to await his trial at the October term of Court.
We have no words Of excuse or mercy for the
villain who could commit crime of such un-
paralclcd tcrpiudc and had the outraged com
munity in which the foul deed was done taken
summary vengeance upon him, it would have
passed as the awful warming of an indignant pco
pie to all who shall hereafter dare to debaSe hu-
manity by such brutality; but when the prisoner
was lawfully committed to the keeping of the
officers of the law, and by relatives of the out
ragged child, too, then the matter was in other
hands for final Indication, and thcreit should be
allowed to rest until it becomes evident that jus
tice is thwartcd by dishonest means or technical
eTasions; of which there is no danger. so long
as virtue and purity control the Courts of our
State.
The course of Sheriff Macbeth was cnlincntly
proper lie did his duty to the State the Coun-
ty and himself, and every law-abiIing citizen
will commend him for it. When Sheriff
shrinks from performing his duty, in the spirit
as well as the letter Of the law, wnks ut unlaw-
full acts, or connves with an excited populacc,
by cvaiiing his duty, to supcrselc or defy the
law, we care not what the popular feeling may
be, then will the people lose their confidence in
him and their respect for the high office he
holds. 1t is this stern, brave conscientious
performance of duty, under the most trying cir
which has made Col. Macbeth the
and trusted sheriff of Union County
for so many years, and now in his honorable
Did age, makes him par excellence q model officer
lnl citizen.
We arc decidedly opposed to cool and deliberate
Lynch law; but we fear the people generally arc
beginning to look upon acts committed in con-
ormity to its dictates with too much nIilfer-
'nce and complaccncy for the good order and
lignity of society. and all good people should
hink very seriously Of its demoraizing effects
oefero encouraging it.