The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-08-15
LYNCHINGS WILL NOT CEASE
UNTIL RAPE CEASES.
THE GUILTY SHOULD BE HUNG BY LAW
The Sentiments of Prominent CoIored Men
in Connection With Crime for Which
Brodie is Next Week to Stand
Trial in Henderson,
Trial in Henderson.

stirred by the brutal crime near Kit
trell about ten days ago, and in view of
the great indignation at the escape of
the negro, who so brutally killed the
poor, unfortunate Falkner woman last
year, by being sent to the penitentiary
instead of being hung; the fact that the
people did not take the law in their
hands on this occasion is the more re-
markable and speaks volumes for them
as a law-abiding people. The white peo
pie of this county are peaceable and re-
spect the law; but many fear that for
bearance will ere long cease to be a
virtue" unless things are changed and
that speedily.
The trial of the brute comes off next
week, and in view of the forbearance
Of the white and the usual good feel
ing between the races here, your CORE
spondent has interviewed a number of
the leading colored men of the county on
the subject, and takes pleasure in pre-
senting them to the public.
Thomas S. Eaton, who is really the
4. leader among the Republicans of the
county, and has held the office of reg
lister of deeds for several years, says:
That he is unalterably opposed to the
crime of rape; that it should be stopped;
that he is opposed to lynching, and
thinks that all should be accorded
fair trial and if convicted then hung, and
not sent to the penitentiary with the
chances of being pardOned out. That
while he is opposed to lynching, that
he does not hesitate to say that he would
kill any one who committed the crime
against any of his own folks; that he
believes the colored people, especially the
leaders, should do all in their power to
frown down and stamp out this crime;
that its continuance must always be q
cause of friction between the two races
to the greater hurt of the colored.
Rev. r. |. Walden, who is pastor of
the colored Baptist church here, as well
as at Louisburg, says:
That he is opposed to lynching under
any circumstances; believes that we are
and should continue to be law-abiding
people; that the law Furnishes this crime
with death, and that every rapist
should be put to death, but according
to law; believes in a speedy trial, follow
ed by swift punishment. Let the rapist
be put to death, but not so as to have
the people guilty of lynching; that the
better class of colored people cannot af-
ford to protect the rascals because il
Ministers, leading laymen and the bet
ter class of our people should strive tc
get up a sound sentiment against this
crime and its perpetrators. Our asso
Citations and other assemblies should
speak out in no uncertain terms against
the crime as well as against Iynching
The crime must stop to stop the lynch
ing.
The Rev. Walter Patillo, who has
long stood well here as preacher
teacher and leader among his people
says
1.-THE crime is an awful one and its
increase is alarming. Something must
be done and at once to put a stop to it
The people cannot afford to show any
more interest in or sympathy for these
criminals than is necessary to see thai
the right man is punished. The crowd
ing around them when charged with this
crime and congregating at the jails il
all wrong. Let them all have a fail
trial, and then let the punishment bt
swift and sure. Our ministers and as
semblies should speak out and condemn
this awful crome-in fact every deem
colored man should speak and teacl
against it, and all should see that thei
acts in special cases do not destroy thei
general teaching. The suppression Of
this crime, now becoming so common
will stop the lynchings which will soo1
follow it, and thus will be removed on,
of the greatest barriers to a good feel
ing between the races. A good ant
peaceful feeling between the two race
is to be desired and prayed for by ever,
right-thinking man, both white ant
black"
Rev. Allen =. Eaton, who has lon
been leader among his race here, an
is now pastor of the First Baptist churc
OF Durham, and Of Red Bend church i
this county, says:
The failure to lynch G. w. Brodi
was largely due to the law-abidin
character Of the people Of our county
and to the good feeling that exists her
between the races. For the crime O
rape and to prevent the lynching of tn
criminal, speedy trials are demanded
The punishment must not be delayed
The men in whose breasts lies the dC
termination to protect the virtue of on
women, are the men, who, when free
will do the lynching, unless the rapiS
is Speedily punished. In my humbl
judgment even the speediest trials wi
nof always stop lynchings-they will, t
spine extent, always exist so long as th
cflme Of rape is committed. The poop
cannot always resist the cry of the vii
finn. As long as the crime is commi
fed, destroying as it does the good fee
)lng between the races, and especially 6
1t IS increasing at such an alarming e.
tent, even the best and most conservatiy
I men, white and black, feel like sayini
Let the brute reap his just reward. II
is destroying the virtue Of women, il
censing the white people, and doing IL
basest injury to his own race TT
crime is not committed by the old-tin
class Of cOlored men. They were the pr
tectors Of women, white and black, bl
it is committed by the new, shiftle
young negro. He is raised up with lit
religious training, few home restrain
and becomes "roamer," or at best fee
that if necessary, he can change b
home and it will suit him as well.
fact he generally does the deed at son
now pIaca aud 4.yh .ra bo I;y.