Evening journal., 1897-07-03
IiNcIlE SANS 4LAss HOUSE.

In discussing tn, merits OF eastern
and western civiliz, son, the Turkish
minister at Washington has declared
the recent lynchings in Ohio and Mary
land as "fiendish atrocities only equal
led by barbarian savages." He over
looks the important fact, however, that
the outrage occurred, not because of the
government but in spite OF 1t. That is
the difference between America and
Turkey The fact that these lynchings
did occur In spite Of the government
does not necessarily detract from our
national honor. To the contrary, Mr..
'HonOraible" Turk, 1t shows that these
heated acts OF violence tohumanbeings
were the result of the excitement OF
outraged communities. Indeed, the
people connected in these unfortunate
affairs could not have slain armies OF
Armenians in cold blood. or course tie
Americans who have taken part in
these incontrollable outbursts OF pas
sion at the indignities forced upon
weak women OF their race by the brute
element OF an inferior one are not to be
excused for their disobedience OF the
law, and yet there is an undenlable
something 10 applaud in the gallantry
shown our women on these lamentable
occasions.
The sensational details OF the recent
lynching at Urbana, Ohio, with the mis-
led conflict OF the militia and the peo-
pie have made painful reading In legal
language this affair is a disgrace to the
state. Added to the reports OF other
and more violent lynching from the
Southern states, these details published
abroad will only increase the general
misconceptlon. OF civilization dn The
United States which has long prevailed
on the other side OF the big natural
tank. In consideration OF this unfortu-
nate result and for the honor OF law
and order, we feel called upon to appeal
TO the community at large to make
greater efforts in the future to control
themselves, on these occasions. MANY
times, and particularly at Urbana, the
government is unintentionally at fault
Mayors, sheriffs and local militiamer
cannot seem to realize that an exasper.
ated mob of people cannot be trlhet
with by legal red tape.
When the authorities perceived that
popular passion was aroused, why dlt
they not remove the wretched prisoner
TO place Of safety? In the face OF thil
violent anger, why did they depar
from the usual forms OF administering
justice by finding an indictment befor,
a special grand jury and then tryinl
and sentencing the prisoner in dis
guise? And after thus giving the mol
an impression that through fear of ia
power the legal authorities were result
ing to trickery did the judge. In sen
fencing the brutal convict to the ful
extent Of the law, permit his own ange
tO find vent in the comment that tn
penalty for his horrible offense shoul'
be death? All these preliminarie
served further TO incite the spirit o
vengeance Finally when the militar
was summoned to uphold the majorit
Of the law, the appeal was insufficient
and half-hearted leadership resulted Il
bloodshed, retreat and surrender. Fror
beginning TO end, this is a tale of COW
ardly evasion, weak in decision and la
unentable fury. We do not wonder tina
Governor Bushnell is indignant, an
that the local authorities are busil
blaming one another, while the peopl
who took part in the riot will regret tn
part they took in IT until their dyin
day.