Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-01-18
MEMPHIS APPEAL
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY is, 1859
THE CURSE OF LYNCHLaw.

Obedience to law is the fret prerequisite
to constitute a good citizen. But the slow
and tsrdy administration of the law is pro-
ductive of many evils. Society Is like a
locomotive, which exerts just as much power
when reversed and worked back ward as when
following its own headlight. Society organ
ICES for mutual self-protection. 1t creates
laws and officials for this purpose. But
when these fail to furnish adequate protec-
ton, the people are disposed to reverse the
locomotive and to take the law into their
own hands. There is no excuse for lynching
in civilized community, but it must be
confessed that the laws delay is well calcu-
lated to produce impatience, even among
law-abiding citizens. Every ebullition OF
passion manifested by the mob can be traced
to the escape of notorious criminals and the
delay in the trial of murderers. This is
sxemplifed by the recent scenes at
Ashland, Kentucky. Three men visited
the house of neighbor occupied by two
defenceless girls and little boy, and after
outraging the former murdered both of
drIrr trI1 TIrrIe Je OUTLAWS COu-
fessed the crime, there is therefore no roomto
doubt the guilt of all three. Recollecting the
failure of justice in similar cases, the mob
made an effort TO capture the prisoners with
the view of lynehing them. But failing in
the effort better counsels prevailed, and a
truce was agreed upon between the leaders of
the mob and those who insisted that there
should be an observance of law. The mob
Is impatiently awaiting the result, and when
on Monday there was delay, and failure to
further the ends of justice, the crowd COM
menced surging to and fro, and it was with
difficulty that the hand of violence could be
stayed. This scene demonstrated two facts:
First-That the people preferred conviction
and execution by lawful methods; and, second,
that they feared the laws uncertainty. This
shows that the only way TO make people
observe the law is for the courts to enforce
the law by speedy trial of the accused.
No matter what failures may occur in the
courts to administer justice, the people are
not thereby justified in taking the law into
their own hands. Yet while this is true, it
is certain that the administration of punish
ment to murderers and other high criminals
-,-o------~-~ country ID Becoming aIarm-
ingly difficult in the courts, and unless there
be change in this respect there is likely to
be an increase in mob law. The constant
tendency OF the courts is 10 widen the loop
holes for the escape of criminals. Many
questions might be asked concerning the
practical operations of the criminal law
such as the multiplication OF all sorts of
and opportunity for urging
them-and all these questions will have
to be answered eventually, and a
thorough reorganization of the system
effected, or there will be, ultimately, COM
plete failure of the administration of jus
tice. The people seeing that criminals have |
decidedly the best of the courts, will resent |
il by lynching men they know to be guilty !
and who they suspect are likely TO escape by
delay. The vilest murderer can get new
trial. While this is so, and growing worse,
it is not to be wondered at that the people |
lose their patience and equanimity and in a
ireuzy of excitement at the laws delays in
cases of atrocious crime resort to lynch law