New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-23
SOCTHEPN SOCTAL CONDITIONS

SOUTHERN NDfI1L tONDII
II has been said and 50 insisted upon that
il has come 10 be generally believed, that the
reason why the Southern states voted 50 over
whclmingy for the Democratic candidate for
President. and elected so nearly unanimous 4
Democratic delegation to Congress, was because
of the universal apprehension that their lib
eltes were in danger from Republican success
They feared that the continuance upon the
statute books of laws under which the Judges
of the United States Circuit Courts might upon
the petition Of citizens appoint two persons oi
opposite parties 10 be present al the rcglStra-
ZION of voters and the casting OF votes Tor
Presidential electors ami members Of Congress
would imperil their institutions and oycriurn
the laws under whose benign operation all their
communities were peaceful. orderly. con-
tented. prosperous and happy. They could not
bear the thought that all the delightful social
conditions, the business prosperity. the rever-
ence for law and the regard for public order
and TRANQUILITY which made existence sweet
md life precious should be rudrly interrupted
by the Judges Of the United States Circuit
Court. Thousands Of voters AT the North, their
sympathieg being thus appealed TO- went 10
their assistance and helped them to an Admin
istration and Congress that would protect
them from the invasion Of their rights by the
mnons Of the Federal courts.
The social conditions which were in danger
OF being rudey overturned have been plac-
ticaly illustrated lately. Let lis review a few
of those illustrations that have come 10 the
knowledge Of the public since the beginning OF
the present year. They are offered simply as
specimen cases.
On the goth Of February. in AShcville, Ma,
negro lad fifteen years old was taken from
the Sheriff. hanged and his body rddIed with
| bullets suspended in the mir" In Asheyille
there was great fear last November that the
Circuit Court would udcIy disturb. the peace
and order of that community.
On the 18Th OF March. at JackSboro, Tenn,
Jesse Jones was taken from jail and quietly
hanged 10 gatepOst. No trial, 10 law, no
chance for Jesse Jones. The Jacksboro people
couldn't wait. The feeling in JaclSboro last
November was that it would be crOwning
outrage upon proud spirited people TO have
the Circuit Court appoint two persons to stand
by the polls at Congressional elections.
On the 9Th of April, according to a dispatch
from Eufaula Ala. a negro was caught III that
vicinity by "A posse of citizens, who tied him
shot him 10 DEATH and then piled fence rails
saturated with oil on his body and burned IT.
In that ncighborhOod, too, there was profound
feeling last November over the peril TO free
government in the South from the United states
Circuit Court.
On the 18th of April. in Denmark, ;. C..
John Peterson was accused of aSsaulting wht(
girl. The girl said he was not the man wht
assaulted her but was of "the same color
Whereat the "best citizens" said some one
must die" and strung up poor John. Then, a
usual they ridded his body with bullets
On the 9th Of May, according to Colum
bia. s. c. Dispatch they had the third lynch
ing in south Carolina in less than three weeks
I'm Laurens 600 of the "best citizens" TOOK
negro away from the Sheriff and hung HIM
United States Senator Irhy was present anC
urged the crowd to be temperate ana not iir'
into the body lie said he WIS opposed Il
ynching but that il was "S)h'. 'i'h'N he'cS
sary." In no other State was inc ieeIns S'
profound and universal last November that The
appointment of election supervisors by The