The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-14
MOB LAW IN MISSISSIPPI.
Every Interest of the People of the
State Demands It's Suppressian.

Every Interest of the People of the
State Demands Its suppressian.
From the New Mlssissippian.
When the Carrollton massacre took
place, in which twenty-five negroes were
shot in The courthouse in open court, dur
ing the trial, the Clarion declared that a
halt should be called to the negro killers Of
the State, as the genius OF the good name,
the peace and prosperity and progress Of
the commonwealth demanded it. For
this the Clarion received pletiiul supply
OF abuse, but it was nevertheless right, and
had the nerve to stand by its principles
OF justice and humanity. The Ledger and
the Vicksburg Post and several other papers
in the State have stood manfully by the
cause OF law and order. But the spirit OF
lawlessness is too widespread to be success
fully met by few newspapers and sporadic
and isolated protests.
What is needed in Mississippi to make
us a prosperous people, to bring more
white men into the State, TO encourage in
vestmonts in our timbers and lands, the
establishment OF manufactures, and in
dustrial enterprises, and the open, visible
employment OF capital in way that will
be Of public benefit, instead OF having the
money of the people timidly hiding itself
in bonds or seeking investments out OF
the State; what we need, is q condition OF
peace and quiet, law and order, and an
end put TO the administration OF the mob.
Everybody in the State is not in favor
OF resorting 10 shotguns to remedy every
evil, real or imaginary. There are thous.
ands OF as good men and women here as
elsewhere, who love justice, and law and
order. There is nothing the matter with
the laws; properly and fairly enforced, they
will protect the lives and property OF all,
will punish the guilty and spare the inno-
cent.
This has been said from time to time by
a limited number OF papers in the State;
and nobody OF intelligence and honesty
denies that these evils exist, but when
they are alluded 10 publicly, the reply is
constantly made that they should be con-
ccaled.
The trouble is, this condition OF things
is not q secret locked in the heart OF q few
How are We ever 20 correct bad state OF
public morals, disorder and crime, or in
deed how begin TO curb the chief law
braker-king mob, unless q fearless dis
cussion awakens the public conscience and
brings the people who ''do justice
and love mercy" 10 the front with
stern demand that we shall have n
Government that will enforce the laws
and give us peace and good order.
The issue should be clearly drawn be-
tween the mob and the law, and the ques-
ton is, shall the mob remain the MASTER
Is there one single instance in this State
where the law has ever faced the mob? II
so, then when and where, would be val
liable contribution 10 the history Of the
State for the past dozen years.
The most serious reflection is, that with
40 many justice-loving people in the State,
we should fall so far short OF lust admin
istration OF the laws.
The race issue may serve as an explana-
ton OF causes, but Il is no justification ior
wholesale usurpations OF the functions OF
the courts. With all the powers Of gov
eminent in the hands Of the Democratic
party, that is, in the hands OF the white men,
can we afford with a high hand 10 tramplC
upon the laws OF our own making2 What
the people OF the State want above every
thing else IA an administration OF the laws
that will face mob and 'see that the law,
are iaithf ully executed"
The law-abiding people need Official
,cadersh Up and example. This will be fol-
owed b y good results, and without II am
.eform alton Is impossible.