The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1884-10-02

In company with our legal friend
A c. McNair, Eco, we left Brook
haven for Meadville, SO miles dis
tant, to attend the Circuit Court
and public speaking which was to
take place on Monday. The ride
was q pleasant one, and as smooth
as the many pine roots in the roa d
would allow. On the way we fell
in with Judge Cassidy and son
Robert, Col. Byrd, Judge Chrisman
and Uncle Frank Larkin, all Of
whom, except the later, were also
bound for Meadville, and by their
company did much to break the
monotony of the long ride. Judge
Chrisman, friend McNair and our.
self we're the only ones to reach the
Franklin Capital Sunday evening,
which we did about sunset, the rest
of the party having stopped with
old friends by the way side. On
arriving at the Smith Hotel we there
found Maj. Sessions, Sheriff Cara
dine and Circuit Clerk Coffee, OF
Jefferson, already on the ground, the
Sheriff having just reached town
that evening with Brown Sullivan,
to be tried by the Franklin Court
for the murder Of young Freeman in
Jefferson. We were soon told all
about the lyncbing which had oc-
Cured the night before. a correct
account of which was given in last
weeks LEADER, and that the burial
of the four negroes had taken place
shortly before our arrival. This
scribe had never been TO Meadville
but one time previous to this, and
then a negro had just been lynched
on one of the self same limbs called
into requisition on this occasion; 80
that if our opinion OF the people OF
Franklin we're made up altogether
of first Impressions" it would be
anything but complimentary. Maj.
Barksdale, Democratic candidate
for Congress, and j. W. Bailey,
Esq, Presidential Elector, arrived
later in the evening, and next day
Maj. Reid, Judge Morris and Major
Noonan of Natchez; Hon. J. B.
Yellowly, Republican candidate ior
Congress; w. P. Cassidy, Esq, OF
Summit; r. f. Rhodes and E. R
Jones, Esqs., of Fayette, and mum
Der of gentlemen from the county
came, and the Smith Hotel was
crowded with distinguished guests
to its utmost capacity.
We soon found that there was q
public sentiment which very strong
ly condemned the proceedings Of
Saturday night, and that lynchlaw
is disapproved by the great mass Of
the citizens of the county, as We
have before oontended. The situa
ton seems to be about this: There
is small number of persons in the
county, composed principally Of
yonng men and reckless characters
who are predisposed to resort to
mob violence without special refer
ence to the character of the crime
committed or the ultimate effects Of
such proceedings on the county
They do their work quickly and
secretly to avoid detection. There
are still a few other men in the
county who do not participate in
the acts of the mob, but who are SC
short-sighted and foolish as to
openly endorse lynch law on the
ground Of public economy. Oul
Franklin correspondent voices the
popular opinion on the subject, and
the one which we hope to see speedily
prevail. The tendency of mob law
is all the time to evil, and if not
stamped out by a healthy public
sentiment, ends in untold mischief.
Our correspondent also gives a
very full account Of the speaking
which took place on Monday, and
so far as we heard any expression,
correctly represents the Fight in
which the speakers were regarded
BY his rough treatment of his
political opponent, Major Barksdale
undoubtedly lost in the estimation
of many who intended and will still
vote for him because be rs the
nominee oftheir party. Mud-throw-
ing. personal villification and ap-
peals to prejudice, ali backed up by
an ill-concealed disposition to bufl-
doze, will not be accepted by intelli-
gent people for argument or fitness
for official position, and IL our can.