The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-16

Richmond way Special to The New YORK Herald
Virginia, always a law abiding state, has
recently been the scene OF several lawlcss
rescues and the lynching OF prisoners
Against this high handed proceeding there
is n strong and growing feeling OF indigna-
ton, which is emphasized by the rescue OF
Wayman Sutton, condemned murderer,
from the Jail OF Wythevillc, Va, n week
AGO. and by the attempted rescue OF the
wife and child murderer at Birmingham,
Ala.
Gov. Fitzhugh Lee when | asked him
10 what cause was due the epidemic OF
Nnching, and il the laws were inadequate
for the punishment Of criminals, SAID
"The laws should be respected and obeycd,
and those who violate and tramplc upon
them should be punished. In firing on
mob balls are apt TO miss the ringleaders
and strike innocent men. Hence all oc'
currences like the one at Birmingham ARE
20 be deplored."
"Do you think the Sheriff there did
rght?"
al do. II shcriTs would always do their
duty like the hero OF Birmingham the law
II perfectly adequate to protect criminal
and punish him in due time, Twenty five
or thirty rifles behind rampant or wall
well served will, In nearly every case, beat
back hastily assembled mob. Most pco-
pie do not propose TO risk life TO break the
law"
Commonwealth Attorney ]. L. Gleayes,
Of Wytheville, where Wayman sutton was
rescued and set free by mob, said: Tho
endemic OF lynching and rescuing prison
ers now so prevalent throughout the South,
rs at Birmingham and this place, is not on
account Of the inndequacy OF the law. II
Is due more TO the restless, unhealthy
communis,ic feeling pcrvading the coun-
try: the tmidty oi jurors in enforcing the
law. the sickly sentiment manifested by
some Of them in pronouncing the death
penalty in cases which demanded II. added
10 the laws delay, have tended to cncour
nge lynching The rescue Of sutton herr
was due TO the thoughtlessncss of the PEG
ple. who never paused 10 consider th'
enormi,y Of the oilcnsc, coupled with tn,
false idea OF right--that because some O
his accompliccs had escaped, lac should
not bc punished
Adiulant-G General james Mcdonald, o
the Virginia State Militia, said: "Ih
war taught the lesson Of violence, regard
less Of the law, M a remedy for wrong
aud the people have not entirely unlcarnc,
the lesson. This, in n measure, account
for the increase in what Is known ~ lyncl
law. liut the main cause is the law
delay the uncertainty Of jury trials, th'
frequent escape OF criminals through Tia,
auiuncss or cloqucncc Of counsel aud th'
technicalitics OF court proceedings lhcs'
causes operate alike in ali parts OF tn,
country But there is a class of crime
somewhat peculiar 20 the South an'
largely increased by emancipation, II
which yiolcucc will always be- rcsoucd 10
and nm not disposed to say ought not 4
b. rcsoi Q to- No law can be- iramc
that will prevent this, because no such laN
MOULD bp enforced
Col. VI. l. SpoueNooh, Commonwealth
Attorney. oi Richmond, said. "rhc cp
dcmir oi lynchiug. North ~ we'll rs Soutl
j. due a. many causes Often u h the icl
oftholaw 'sdclty. the unccr,nintyuf convi,
ton hya Jury and the moral certainty
tine prisoners guilt. llclnOus and inf.
nous crimes are also the frequent occasion
OF lyuchiugs. None OF them, however, ~
iu,tihahc.'
90 YOU think the laws are inal,
qualcf
"No, | think the laws are amply adj
quatr. II the laws were properly enforce
thffe would be no lynchiugs. | think u
example Of the officers ut Birmingham VI
have wholesome effect IN bringing abo
respect Tor the law. The press pauic
larry and the pulpit should applaud q
Sheriff and the men at Birmingham vi
~ heroically defended the prisoner ut n
risk Of their own lives. II the pp'ss 10
90, and at the same time cducatcs aud pr
duccs a healthy moral sentiment, the
will be less lynching, less crime aud mo
faith In the effectiveness OF the suprcmN
OF the law"