The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-17
LYNCH Law CONDEMNED
Rev. n. 7. Wilson aud Mr.. Joseph Bryan
Mako Interesting speeches-Lynch Law
n Much Murder ~ sssbbipg n Man


Evangelical Alliance, at the Second Bap
tist church. Rev. r. 4. Wilson. pastor OF
fgay-street church, and MIR. Joseph Bryan
the oditor-in-chief OF the Times, beins
the speakers.
In the absence of Rev DIR. Kerr, presi-
dent OF the Alliance. Rev. Dr. Landrum
presided. A good audience was present,
but on account OF the union meetings
IN progress at the Second Presbyterian
church and pro;racted services at sew
erai of the Methodist churches, few OF
the ministers OF the city were present.
The audience, however. was a good one,
and the speeches were listened 10 with
deep interest and close attention. the
choir of the Second church was on hand.
and rendered my Country, 'Tis Of Thee,
and other hymns, in splendid style
Rev. X. T. Wilson.
Mr.. Wilson gave an interesting history
of lynch law, and treated the supJect
in a close. judicial manner. lie declared
lynch law, in its enactment, JUDGMENT
and execution, a grave crime against inc
State. 49,. A..
saferrardg thrown around the life and
liberty of a citizen. and compared In strlK-
ing figures the privileges II conferred
upon him, with the methods OF lynch
law.
said he: III you would like TO know
what thing OF lynch law, had as soon
draw a dagger. and creep up behind
foe pinioned by a giant. and plunge tne
dagger In his body from behind, as 10
engage in a work like this. where crowd
OF brutal men. loaded down with fire.
arms like walking arsenals. attack poor,
weak creature, perhaps bound hand ana
foot" 1900.
He then examined few OF the excuses
given for the enforcement OF this metnod
of punishment for crime, among which ne
named the delay Of the trials by the courts
OF the land. I have no question that some
persons deserved death who died by
lynch law.
crime, violating the sanctity OF the home
deserves ten thousand deaths; but that Is
not the question. The real question is
shall the citizen forfeit his right 10 pro-
lection at the hands of the law IL he
has violated the rights vouchsafed him.
let him suffer by the same tribunal
what is the remedy 1t is not lynch
law. There is not an instance where
lynch law has decreased the crime Tor
which the lynch law was practiced.
Tho Remedy.
criminal practice If you want "A speedy
trial provision should be made that, where
"a nameless crime has been committed, a
special court be convened TO at once inves-
tigate the case.
lie then suggested a number or methods
which might be used. such as a majority
decision OF the jury. a preponderance OF
testimony, silence. a confession. and a
misstatement taken as incontestible evil
dence OF guilt. Ther expressing his revolt
al such methods as would rob the law OF
its protection declared any or all OF them
preferable to lynch law. which was moth
ing short of murder i'm its worst form.
MIR. Wilson'S speech was clear, forcibIe
and convincing.
Mr.. Eryan's speech.
Mr.. Joseph Bryan commenced his brief
address with a well-timed compliment i'm
which ne endorsed the soundness as well
az the sentiment of Rev. Mr.. Wilson's
speech. which he said had the ring Of the
true metal and that without knowing the
antecedents Of the reverend gentleman
he was much mistaken if he had not at
some previous time been a lawyer. as such
speech could not come from one UNI
learned in the truths and greatness Of
the law. This Mr.. Wilson acknowledged
TO be fact
Mr. Bryan said that the case had been
already argued and the verdict gwen, and
there was little remaining TO be said that
had not already been well said: that he
would not attempt to describe the gross
of the trial OF n defenceless man
by bowling mob thirsting for his blood.
or the wickedness OF the punishment by
death OF man who, In all probability,
might not be guilty at all.
Said he: 1.-The spirit of lynch law ia
such that the more heinous the offence
the sienderer the evidence required of
guilt. and the victim is often dragged
along the street by bowling mob, some
times with rope around his neck. and
when 4 contemplate this thing l turn
from II with horror
IL Is not the Socialist IL Is not the
Anarchist by whom America is assailed.
pnt IL Is the American lyncher which is
the most alarming symptom i'm our coun-
try to-day.
= Lynch law is suspicion without proof.
passion without the calmness of Judi
cial proceedings; revenge without reason.
and a brutalism. and he cultivation OF
a spirit of which an Indian would 10
ashamed.
IL is something about which Won can
not fold your hands and say this thing
cannot come to me. that IL cannot ham
pen here I'm Richmond
Is there a mother here with a son avav
from home. who reads of these terrible
things. who does not have n dread that
by some compromising circumstances
over which he has no control, he NAV in
the passion or an excited people, be
dragged away and submitted to the cruel
revenge which actuates a mob at such n
time. 1t is, indeed. an agonizing refiec-
ton.
l subscribe TO every word the GENTLE |
man who preceded me said about the
wickedness OF lynch law. When a man |
grasps a rope by which the vengeance OF !
lynch law is visited on its victim. he is |
ms much murderer as IL he stabbed n |
man In the back.
" nj Revenge
The cause OF lynch law is the impatience |
of the people over the DELAYS of tho |
law, they want revenge, and do not rant |
TO walt for the law
II revenge is going 10 take the nlace |
Of the law In heinous crimes, what will |
De the next step. where will you draw
Ihe liner The barriers once broken down
'here il no restraint. II justifiable In
one case. why not In another?
Any man who takes the law IN bic
own hands is lyncher.
i have been often asked by men 70
In event OF such reyoiting crimes as tbav
would describe to me. / would not re-
sort 10 lynching. and l have cried out
No: SO help me God. would never
under any circumstances. have my hand
stained AS Virginian, I am willing
10 leave myseif and my family In the
hands or the old commonwealth. believ-
ing that she VIII ever do what is right.
II is not the severity of the punishment
that stops crime. but the surety of It.
The solution OF this question and the
of this element of crime lies |