The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-19
INDIANA AVID MIssIssIppr.

INDIANA AND MISSISSIPPI.
The papers and people of Indiana would
likas to speak out in condemnation of the
slaughter Of thirteen men (negroes) in a
courtroom at Carrollton, Miss. II the ac-
count Of the killing be true, these men were
shot down like SO many hogs by band of
armed men who went to the court house for
that purpose and who proceeded to their
bloody work without delay and with such ef-
feet that after few minutes ten were dead
and three MORALLY wounded. The papers and
people of this State would like to enter
protest against such atrocities, but
are measurably restrained by the
fact that Indiana has been similarly
disgraced, though not by anything as fearful
ly bold and murderous. The lynching of the
Archer gang, the latest outrage of this kind,
is fresh in the public mind, and has put such
shame upon the people Of Indiana that there
is little room to find fault with other locali-
ties. We feel sure, however, that the rufians
engaged in the lynching at Shoals do NOT
have the sympathy Of the law abiding people
of Indiana. There are but few, and nearly
all these few, who do not unqualifedly con-
denim such defiance of law and organized MUIR
der. The press of the State is a practical
unit in denouncing such rufianism, and call
ing for the punishment of all engaged in it.
It is not inconsistent for the press to deplore
this wanton act of murder SO boldly planned
and so determinedly carried out in the very
court Of justice. The floor Of that room must
have been like slaughter pen for the blood
poured out there and all without the shadow
Of respect for the law. If men may be shot
down by the dozen in the very presence of
the court Of what force is law,
and to what end are courts established
and maintained? If in Mississippi
the mob may kill by the dozen, and in Indi-
ana by threes and tours, at the will of the
localities, what assurance Of safety has any
body against themY And what guaranty has
the law-abiding public that the lawless will
not take advantage of this privilege to get
rid Of such men as may be obnoxious to themg
Or shall there be licensed class of murder
ers, whose actions shall not be reviewed and
questioned? And, If licensed class, why
not have some understanding about it,
and let the people electa But here the
the plan loses it's Liberal features, for by it
the class Of men who engage in lynching
would, as rule shut them out Of the respect
and confidence of their neighbors. The man
or men likely to desire such dispensation are
murderous in their instincts and dangerous
citizens at best. Honest, patriotic men every
where should put their influence against this
mode of defeating justice and defying the
law. It is not only shame to civilization,
but is menace to society. 1t is the duty of
all to uphold the courts and to respect their
rulings and to this end it is primarily
necessary that only the best and ablest
men be elevated to the bench. The
courts. too, have it within their power to do
much toward checking such murderous dem
onstrations. When a criminal under arrest is
thought TO be in danger Of lynching. the
judge should instruct the sheriff to defend
him with his life, If need be, and to use all
necessary force to hold the jail against all
corners. There is no kind Of doubt that three
or half dozen officials of the law COULD if prop
erly armed, hold Jail against mob of hun
dred. The jailer or sheriff who permits a
prisoner to be taken from him without resist
ance to the point of killing somebody himself,
should be punished by long term Of impris
onment