Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-02
Lynching and the Law.

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
Mr.. j. 5. y. contends that the inefficiency
of the law accounts for and excuses mob
violence-iynching- All intelligent men ad-
NIT that the law and it's administration
particularly the latter-are defective. We
need among other things:
l. Speedier trials.
2. A majority or two-thirds vote Of the
jury to convict in criminal cases.
}. Secret trials in cases of offense5 against
women.
4. J. denial of the right of new trials in
criminal cases.
5. The restoration of power and dignity to
our judges.
But citizens, who are good and thought
'ful, never think Of forcing these reforms by
themselves becoming criminals. They di-
rect their energies toward the accomplish
ment of their purposes by attempting to
persuade and to reason with our lawmakers.
Those who act otherwise may be good. but
they are not thoughtful men. Hon. Logan
E Bleckley, chief justice Of the supreme
court OF Georgia. in an admirable address
delivered about a year ago on Emotional
Justice" admitted that mobs for the infic
ton OF summary justice on offenders or sup
posed offenders are composed chiefly of
good citizens. "Mobs Of bad men only" he
said. would not violate law in the interest
of law and order. None but the good do
evil that good may abound. In 80 far as
the public veal Is a motive in the exercise
OF mob violence. the case Is always one of
goodness acting under a mistake of duty" ,
bul, as tniS ulstllgulSneO Jur1St contends,
Tor every guilty person purged out Of So
ctety by these mistaken good men, two or
more equally guilty are brought in. Thus,
lynchiEgs Increase the criminal population
Of the state. How" some will say '.can
men be called criminals who for the good
of the state execute atrocious offenders ?'
The answer is plain. All persons In organ
lied society in a state of civilization are
exempt from punishment until guilt has
been duly ascertained and declared. TT is
conviction OF guilt, not guilt ITSELF that
warrants punishment" These men who
both try and condemn offenders. are usurp-
ing judicial and executive functions Do
they think that however wise and numer-
Gus their crowd might be 1t could enact law
that would receive respect and support?
10 become mob, says Bieckley land
DO It's work, those who compose II must for
the time being secede from organized So
ciety. outrage its most fundamental prtn-
ciples and trample on its institutions. IF
society has any law or ordinance that has
been proclaimed throughout the civilized
world, and that everywhere prevails as
binding authority, Ii Is that no man shall
be condemned without trial, and that no
trial can be had save through govern
mental agency and In some pre-established
method"
In view of all this 1t may be said with
entire justice to Mr.. ]. s. N and all who
agree with him that the man who, impa-
uent OF the laws delay or its absolute mis-
carriage. joins hands with others to clutch
the punitive power of the state is at bottom
an anarchist He may be better than one
who hates law, but he is just as mischiey-
Gus to society. He usurps the right to rem
resent the people" he seizes a power which
he mad forever renowned when he entered
society, he discredits an established insti-
tuition OF his country and fills the public
nind with anxious apprehensions. E. 1. r.