The record-union., 1896-12-28
THE LAW OF THE MOB.

The new Governor Of Alabama in his
inaugural address appealed to the peo-
pie of that State to give him their coun-
ranance and aid in suppressing lynch
law. 1t is humiliating that an American
Governor should find the necessity for
such an appeal. 1t puts a blush upon
the cheek of American pride that the
advisability and probability of such
suppression should be a subject for the
slightest debate
Governor Johnston we'll declares that
there is no excuse for an appeal to
lynch law, which, however much may
be said for it, as in many cases the
manifestation of a spirit Of manliness,
and as recognition by the people of the
deterrent virtue of swift justice rs new
ertheless born of the spirit of passion,
and is the result Of revenge rather than
of a love Of justice. The Governor
says:
Where the administration of the law
is wholly within the grasp of the best
citizens Of the State; where the sympa-
thieS of Judge and jury are entirely on
the side Of the victims of brutal lust, no
excuse justifieS the spirit that would
override the orderly administration Of
justice.
All Of Us understand how difficult il
is to restrain the passion and indigna-
ton that arouse the hot blood of rela-
tiVes and friends to visit summary pun
iShment upon those who commit the
most heinous and unforgiving crime
against society, but our people must be
made to understand that the proper
way to punish these and all other
crimes Is by the law Of the land. The
danger of infiicting punishment upon
the innocent, when passion and not rea-
son holds the scales, is SO great, that
all good citizens should repress their
just indignation and aid in preserving
peace and enforcing the laws of the
land, which are surely of sufficient
severity.
This is well said and is followed up by
the suggestion that the Governor be
empowered, in grave cases, where the
passions of the people are infamed by
some horrible crime, to call special ses-
shons OF the criminal courts and direct
speedy examination of those charged
with the crimes.
That is a novel suggestion. and there
Is some danger in 1t since 1t is difficult
in cases Of heat of the public blood to
secure juries that are cool enough and
strong enough to remain upinfluenced
by popular cla1nor.
Commenting upon the address and
appeal of the Governor, the Richmond
(va) Times says that during the ad
ministration Of Governor O'Ferreu of
that State not a single case Of lynch
ing occurred, owing TO his watchful-
ness and care, and it intimates that any
Governor who is disposed to do so can
do a great deal to prevent Judge Lynch
from holding court. The press should
take as firm stand against lynching
as the Times always has "a fact we
have noticed), no matter what the Of
Tense charged, nor how clear the proofs
of guilt, because lawlessness is always
denoralizing. No matter how much the
people may express satisfaction at the
death Of a criminal by Illegal violence,
the aftermath is bad. AS our contem-
porary puts 1t:
Whenever the people take the law in
their own hands they always rally the
lawless element, and give encourage
ment to them to acts of violence, which
too often have not the pretense Of Jusu-
fication Notice it when you will, and
you will find that one act Of open law
lessness in a given community is almost
sure to be followed In quick succession
by others.
But the press does not always take a
stand against lynchings. Formally 1t
may rebuke the resort to lawlessness.
but very often when it does so there is
to be read between the lines secret but
ill-concealed approval and such evident
coulnendation as to give aid and COM
fort to the offenders and thus encourage
a repetition of the appeal TO lynch law.
There is, therefore. a solemn and un-
ayotdable duty incumbent upon who