The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-07-29

The wholesale lynchings that are
going on In the Western and Southern
States should be source of the great
est anxiety TO the American people.
Some years ago they used to be car
ried on to some degree OF secrecy. but
now the law seems to be defied, public
opinion detied and the most cluel
torments imaginable are applied to the
unfortunate victims. Since the lynch.
Ing few weeks ago of an unfortu
nate victim, who was afterward found
to be. innocent Of the crime with which
he was charged, there have been a hall
q dozen more cases in the South and
West. Memphis, Tenn, has been the
scene OF the latest exhibition of brutal
eayagery.
A negro who was confined In the
county jail awaiting trial was seized
by a mob, who had smashed in the
doors OF the Jail. What folio we'd Is
described in press dispatch that ap
peared In the newspapers OF the coun
try the day after the lynchlng. W,
are told that square away the victim
was swung to telegraph pole. Will,
the rope was being adjusted mel
gashed the negro in the neck, tho side!
and legs with knives.
The account from which we get thest
details add:
His clothes were stripped of, and at
the naked body was swung up he was
already nearly dead. the blood stream
ing from his wounds. A big railroa,
switchman pulled his legs till his necl
fairly cracked. The body was the
dashed against the telegraph pole
When II was cut down 1t was kicked
and spurned. The cry arose burr
him. In response TO this cry wood
was brought from a neighborlng woot
yard and fire made on the spot. Tn
naked body was thrown on it Will
the crowd TESTED and laughed.
By this time it was midnight. Blu
tho savage Instincts of the mob wer,
not yet gratiiied. We quote agail
from the press account;
That was at midnight. For fou
hours drunken remnant Of the mo
made fearful sport with the carcass
Relic hunters broke oil the teeth. th,
nails, bits of the skull and pieces c
burnt flesh for pocket pieces. A rop
was tied around the remnants OF til
body, and they were dragged throug
the streets TO the Court House. Their
the man was hanged to street ca
centre pole. 1t fell and it was agat
dashed to the pole" The next day
eoroner's jury rendered tho usual We
dict OF death by hanging ut tho hanc
of unknown persons"
The verdict was rendered In spite
the fact that mono OF the lynchers wei
masked and there was no attempt
concealment.
Since then lynchlng has occurre
In Denver, Colorado, OF no less
savage character. As we re All the d
tails OF these lynchlngs it is hard |
conceive that such barbarities hay
been committed in American elite
and we may as well pause and as
ourselves what are we coming to
The whole seems rather deseriptie
Of tortures savage tribes inlet
prisoners taken in battle. A local p
per, the Commercial. describing Il
character of the men who murdert
the negro says: The lynehers we
drunken hoodlums. and it was reeo
nized that they were moved not
any principle Of revenge, but mere
by brutal desire for blood. which W
proven by the barbaritie5 perperat,
on the dead body.
The fact, however,is that hoodlum
drunk or sober, could not pcrpetra
such acts In community where the
enlisted healthy public sentime
against lynchinG. The knowled
that they would never be called
account, acted on the mob as an ince
tive to commit iiend.sh acts that d
gIace our common community.
- -