The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-16
Law and order In Birmingham.


A mob gathered in Birmingham, Ala,
to force the Jail aud take ont and hang one
Halves, accused Of an atrocious crmc-the
cold booded murder OF his vito and
children. HAYES, II is reported, asserts
his innocence, but large part OF the pop
ulation believed him guilty and were de-
termined to deal with him after the man
ner Of Judge Lynch.
The mob several hundredstro moved
on the Jail. The Sheriff, with IN armed
posse, warned tho rioters that he would
resist their attempt aud fire upon them II
they attacked the Jail. Some OF the mob
OPENED FIRE, when well directed and ci-
icctivc voley from the jail shot down n
number Of persons, and the mob dispersed.
| Unfortunately among those killed were
one or two good citizens who, report says,
were engaged in porsuading the rioters to
| dlsband.
Thcrcupon followed great excitement,
! cries Tor the blood OF the Sheriff. aud such
lawlcss demonstrations that the Governor
OF the State thought It prudent 10 send
troops down to prevent further breach Of
the peace and protect both the Shciill and
the man accused Of crime.
The Sheriff iB a brave aud lruo man, and
deserves the good will OF every law ahid-
! ing citizen OF Birmingham Whether
HAYES Is guilty or not 10 Is the province OF
a Jury 10 determine. He was Ia charge OF
! the sheriff. and IL was that officers highest
aud most solemn duty, ON the one hand 10
| prevent his escape. aud on the other to
| prOtcc, him against all illegal attacks. The
! people OF Alabama ought 10 give the high
rs, praise aud credit Ia their Sheriff. who
buycly did his duty q most painful duty
~ IL was, aud ~ every one knows II must
| have been.
The question j. often asked. as lynch
law never justiinblc2" We believe there
are eases in which 1t il. II corrupt courts
systematically side with rogurs aud leave
honest people without protection, II thieves
aud muplcrvr., by thc conuiyAncc OF thu
courts and law officers, habtunly def,
Justice aud prov upon the community II
such ease, al which there have been sew
cril la the Far West, notably one Ia ia,
early settlement IT Montana. the pcopl,
have. We believe. q clear right 10 TAX" Just
Ice into their own hands
Hut only in cXtrcmc eases can this cours,
be- Justified or tolerated. The liirmin gham
case wasnot such one. There. undoubt
eddy, the mob was wrong. aud 10 resist !
and dispcrsc II with firearms, Rs the Shcrii
did. Nas right and necessary II good citi
lcns were accidentally slain, that Is 90 bl
I dcplofcd, hul the sheriff Is not 10 blame
, is tho mob which Is hlamablc Tor thci
deaths.
. Many ycau ago 500 sialwar lumbornct
, In Michigan marched on country tow
!, with the openly announced determination
10 break into the jail, take ont q murdcrc
and hang him. They wcrg met hy q cOur
|. ngcous clifton, who urged them 10 q
!. home aud let ihc man have his Lawful
!, trial aud punishment Ills rclsonin
, brought the lumhvrnrn 10 counsel anon
themselves, aud they finally announce
their conclusion. They would 20 hom,
leaving guard about the jail TO proven
n the murlcrcr's escape. They wouid com
IA down In body to the trial. three month
. later. They would look on In peace. hl
|, II the man was cleared then they Woul
u take him ont and hang him thcmsclyc
e law or no law. III thc courts deal sui
and prompt Justice" their spokesman s1i'
n 1--WE will not interfere. but II cour,
N prosecuting olliccrs aud iurics arc used
4 pro,cc, guilty mon, then II Is time &
M lynch. law
4. These Michigan lumhcrmen were n
4, iar wrong. hat the birmingham ease u
4 no, Justify lynch law. The Shcrin the
~ was ia the strict line Of his duty.