The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1897-07-30
LET The GUILTY SUFFER THO
THEAEAvENS FALL"

Editor Dcmocii Star
A great deal is being SAID from lhe
pulpits and through the press, ana IN
fact through this county, ABOUT lyhcli-
ing and thenegro, | have had many
inquiries al TO my opinion upon Tue
matter.
Therefore, I would like TO say few
things Through the columns of your
valuable aad widely circulated paper
with referelce TO lynch law, While
am no apobgist for lynch law under
any circumstances, aln free to admit
that there hre two sides to the ques'
tion, and there is danger Of forgetting
the cnormity OF the crime in the
stress we put on the observance oi lnc
law. Because coOrcd people nave
been so proiounced in their denuncia,,
tiOn Of lyndh law many have reached
the conclusion that they are In SYM
pathy with iapists and other notorious
criminals Who are generally the VIC
tins of sueh law. This is great
mistake. The better class OF negroes
all over the South are unanimous IN
their condemnation Of the wretrhes
who are guilty of these unmentlona'
bic crimes. They recognize the fact
that the whDe race is suffering 10 the
eyes of the world through the conduct
of the vile scoundre!s who perpetrate
these crimes, and in many places the
white people regard negro with de-
testation aud suspicion, believing him
to be capable Of any criminal act
where he is left unrestrained. From
experience and bserSatiOn l know
this to be true. | for one am not will
ing to be thought in sympathy with
crimes or criminals, and especially
with those Of the crimes | am now
considering. II the negroes as race
ever expect to gam the confidence and
respect of their white nclghbors, and
to elevate themselves in the civilized
life, they must emphasize in no un-
certain way their detestation Of the
more brutal Of their race who commit
the horrible offense OF rape, arson and
the like. There must be no sym apathy
for such characters who disgrace their
own race and bring the whole race in
to shame and contempt.
While | say these things. | would
not be understood as fav0ring lynch
law. Could the real criminal suffer it
would not he so bad. But when inno-
cent men are frequently the victims
OF excited and infurialed mobs who
take the law into their own hands, the
necessity for legal conviction is ap-
parent. Lynch law, too, no matter
how justly adm Mustered, is bad in its
tendency. 1t is making a mockcry
and is disregard for all law. 1t is
educating the people in the very law.
lessness it is intended to prevent.
Let the Legislature provide for
speedy trials in cases Of this sort, and
let the people understand that the
guilty must suffer. | am sure the
better class Of my people are in sym
pathy with every legal method to stop
this awful crime of rape. 1t is to
their interest to be so. They cannot
afford to be in the attitude of palliat.
ing or eXcusDg or apologizing for this
blot upon their people and their civ
| lllzatlon. There is no South or North
in this class Of crime. The sentiment
everywhere in this country is in favor
Of dealing out speedy and terrible
punishment to the despOilers OF wO-
man. A stop must be put to the
crime of rape, and he who commits it,
be lie white or black, must be made to
know that terrible retribution will
follow. All our people ask is that
justice be done; that before the law
the same evidence be required to con-
yict Il negro that is required to con-
vict white man, and the same pun
IShment be meted out to the one as to
the other whenever the proof is CON
elusive.
Speaking for my people, let the
guilty suffer though the Heavens fall.
Lyncling is not race question, but
a national question, and it is proven
by the fact that of the 40 persons
lynched in 1896 "a were white men.
| recognize the fact that in the or
der Of Providence we must live to-
gether, and ! would like to contribute
my part toward inculcatlng in my
people these great principles of right
eousness, truth and respect for law.
which are the foundation upon which
alone they can build up a self-reSpect-
ing manhood. Respectfully,
THOS. l. KEYS.
Ocean Springs, Miss, July 26. 1897.