The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-12-03

New York, Dec. IA special TO the
Herald from Atlanta says: One man in
the south will make the race for congress
on platform that has as its principal
plank declaration in favor of lynchings
when mob violence is necessary TO pro-
tect the sanotity of home."9 Benjamin
NJ. Blackburn, an Atlanta editor, wants
to succeed Leonidas F. Livingston from
the Fifth Georgia District. and boldly
announces that the contest viii be waged
largely on the lynching issue.
M. Blackburn does not hesitate TO at
tack any measure he does not indorse.
OF to arraign most vigorously any Of
fetal whose conduct ne disapproves. He
prides himself on mis- chivalrous devotion
to the cause of woman and on his great
reverence for Jefferson Davis. These
are his pet themes.
Though diminutive in stature, being
only five feet six inches tall, and weigh
ing 12O pounds, Mr.. Blackburn's personal
bravery has never been questioned, and
he is noted for the quickness with which
he reients the least intimation OF an in
suit. He is 81 years old.
Mr.. Blackburn was an earnest advo-
cate Of Grover Cleveland in 1892. and af
terward refused two consulates offered
to him by the president, declaring that
he was entitled to higher recognition. In
the last state campaign Nh. Blackburn
opposed the election Of Governor Akin
con, the regular nominee, on account Of
his manager having circulated a circu-
vxr,vt an oh Cd nj Oe-
Gus appeal for negroe votes. He con-
tended then that ne would not give one
good woman for all the political parties
that ever existed. He supported Bryan
and Watson last year.
While the congressional election is
several months distant, Mr.. Blackburn
has already begun his campaign, and 1
found him today discussing the political
situation with some of his friends in
Democratic headquarters.
'Tn view" ne said to me, ''of the fact
that lynching has become a national is
sue, declaration against it having
been made by the last Republican ma
.tional convention, I thought that it
was not altogether inoppertune for meto
take an Independent view on this ques-
ton, az southern man who is appealing
to the voters of the south for their sup
port as congressional aspirant-
Therefore. in announcing my candi-
dacy for congress from the Atlanta dis
trict, l did not hesitate to declare in
favor of lynching for the usual crime as
tbebest means Of protecting the sane
THY oc our homes.
81 know that the Democratic state
platform inveighs against Iynching for
these heinous crimes against the fireside.
l am democrat andshall submit my
claim to the regular democratic organi-
cation, but 1 am no hypocrite. Such a
in this state is an abominable piece Of
hypocrisy that will not indorse, and l
may say that there is not worthy man
in my state VINO does indorse it at heart.
at may be argued thatby the success
sively nervou. part Of the community.
from southern investment whenever a
manly assertion is made by one in
public life, that lynching fort his Of
Tense is a crime against law that no
party can indorse. These same nervous
political spirits are possibly influenced
by the view that any honest and aggres-
sive declaration from them in favor Of
largenegro vote that may involve them
II political defeat. According to my
view, as a southern man, welded to
sentiment, democracy means Caucasian
ism in its very essence.
while I consider that lynching for
even this crime, viewed in the alb
is an unfortunate resort, / do not agree
to the proposition that Ut is crime
against the law of the land, for the Tea-
son that the victim so outrages the law
by the enormity Of his offenSe that he
places himself beyond the contenpla-
ton Of the statute and the protection Of
the administrative power of his safe.
although a young man, I shall ap-
peal to the old and to the only south and
not to any new theories that have been
advanced by men of design for no other
purpose than to gain sickly applause
and paltry dollars.
''It viii be a most threatening condi-
ton in the south when the Caucasian
ism shall fail to assert itself"