Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-23
The Roanoke Riot.

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
Mob law rules in that town." meaning
Roanoke, Va.,was what a prominent Wash
ington business man remarked in his office
this morning. 1t was with the flush of
shame the writer had to acknowledge the
fact. for 1t Is his legal home, and city OF
magnificent reality and greater prospects.
To cOndone the evil by further denial is
but debasing the dignity and courage of
manhood and encouraging lawlessnes5 In
Its worst form. Since the iynchiny of VIII
liam Lavender. who died protesting his In
nocence Of the crime charged to him. dis
regard of law and order has strongly de-
veloped itself. evidenced by the court
records eliminating in the late lamentable
event.
The attack on the Jail and the final muir
der OF the negro Robt. Smith, and the fen
dish and inhuman burning OF his body, was
nothing more nor less than serious violation
OF law and order. Violation of the law is
criminal and those who engage in II are
criminals. and a dangerous tlemen, to the
peace and prosperity of society. The mem
pers OF these mobs are not all saints. nor.
as rule. were. previously, models of man
hood and purity.
In many cases, the punishment admii,is-
tered by lynchers is deserved by the VIC
Tins but an excited mob as frequently kills
the innocent as the guilty. In Roanoke to-
day. II an INSCRIPTIONS female were to
choose TO accuse a man with assault,
though he be innocent, or, in Il case of ac-
tual assault and mistaken identity, the life
OF the accused would not he worth more
than the life of an offending dog. The mob
element may finch under this accusation,
but 1t Is true, nevertheless
The guilt OF the negro Smith doubtless,
was evident, and he would have suffered
the full penalty Of the law. II the cxecu-
tive onictals cannot be trusted to do their
DUTY. then. II permissible at ALL lynching
should begin in another quarter, and new
election held. 1t is but narrow step from
mob violence to anarchy, which means the
overthrow OF society. government. and
country.
Doubtless. the world Is better off without
the presence of the negro Smith, and the
sacrificing Of the lives # nine industrious
citizens merely to save the former would
less. but 1t was not hts life that was In the
balance. but the nobler life Of the law
which Is the vital spark of our boosted civil
lization and the hope of society, which
Mayor Trout 30 earnestly endeaVored to
protect, and which would have been cheaply
purchased though every man who raised
hand against her had fallen.
Probably the most serious outcome OF this
SAD occurrence is the suspension of Mayor
Trout and other officials by a weakened
council, thus acQuiescing, by their action,
In the reign OF lawlessness. and the encour-
agement Of future violence
such cowardly spirit is encouraged,
bound officials for doing their duty and en-
forcing the laws Of the land?
Inc suspension Of Mayor Trout is q dis
grace to the city, and deserves the condem-
ration Of law-abiding citizens.
The death OF so many is a sad occurrence
ana ana mere should be sorrow and commisera-
ton for their suffering and .icath, but b,ure
Tor the stricken and lifeess form of an out
ragged law F. PENROSE SMITH,
September 2. 1898.