New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-13
4 SOUTHERN HIRJIST


II is encouraging 10 discover signs Of dis
,rcss in Southern communities AT the growing
domination Of mobs The atrocious crucliics
pcrpetratcd with increasing frequency by per
sons who combine here and there. call them
selves the people and proceed 10 take vengeance
on negroes suspected of crime have lately
drawn numerous explanations and apologies
from individuals who are not quite contcntcd
TO keep silent. This uncasincss under con
dcmnation Is better than absolute serenity
would be- however far it may fall short Of vim
dicating popular sentiment in Southern States
from the charge Of odious acquicsccncc in the
work Of brutal and shameless men. 1t is some
thing to know that not few OF those who are
really the best citizens y feel II necessary 10
disayow such work, even while they seek to
find some excuse for it. Their grief and regret
seem TO lack warmth il not sincerity, and their
explanations Of the causes which have led to
the prevalent exercise Of mob rule are not
satisfactory; but, nevertheless, they signify a
pcrturbcd state OF feeling, and so are not alto
gcthcr worthless.
1t happens that there is another variety Of
lawlcss violence now on exhibition in some
zcns " think they can afford 10 condemn with
out allowance or apology. Bands Of White
Caps who are not pleased with industrial con
ditions and prospects have been engaged for
some time past in burning and threatening
TO burn cotton-gins belonging TO persons who
neglect to obey their orders. No doubt this
seems TO 1.-THE best citizens" TO be utterly
wantOn, and as damnablc as ii is dcplorablc.
They are not troubling themselves 10 find any
excuse for inccndiarics, because none is re-
uuircd by their code of civilization. The inso-
lcnce Of the maraudcrs and the insecurity Of
their own property exaspcratc and alilict them
sorcly, and they are able TO express their feel
ings on the subject with emphasis and pre-
csion.
1t probably does not occur to all or even
many Of those who are willing 10 palliatc the
lawlcssncss that burns negroes but not the
lawcssncss that burns cotton-gins that there
is the rcmOtcst connection between the two.
But in fact there Is a close connection. The
spirit that inspires both manifestations of CON
tempt for law is the spirit which has been
diligently incucatcd by the best citizens ="
at the South for many years Whenever and
wherever they have encouraged and Justified
violence and fraud rs Il means of keeping the
Democratic party in power they have invited
and prepared the way for Il supremacy of dis
order. They have cnunciated principle which
Is universally destructive. Having set such an
example, there was no possibility Of their being
able 10 restrict the imitation of 1t To Il single
kind Of procedure. They have planted the
seeds Of private dishonor and public shame,
and they have no logical ground Of complaint
when they are compelled To gather the incyi-
table fruit
Some Southern men have forcsccn the con
sequences and proclaimed them. Said THE
Charleston News and Courier" in moment
of sanity and candor: We are appalled, ut
thinking that the rising generation OF white
men mt the South Is being taught that elections
are TO be carried. not 10y the honest vote Of
fair ma jorty, but by rank intimidation. subtcr-
fugc and evasion" Appalled, because II dis
ccrncd the brood Of evils which political crimes
were cngcndcring. You must stop this bal
lot-box stealing, force and fraud or the title
to your property will not be worth the paper