The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-18
LYxcHrxG AND ITS CRITICS.

ne PSe3s OF the country mas not Tor
tonne time been 30 much exercised over
u lynching rs over that at Urhana. This
Is no doubt due to the fact that IL took
place In a Northern state in a peaceable
town. and vas accompanied BY the death
and wounding OF men who would any
where be regarded az ordinarily tnoffens-
i've citizens
We need not look to tho Urbana papers
for disinterested expression of opinion.
The press. the pulpit and public senti-
nieut are all alike influenced by the sur
r,indings. and IL would be bold man
who in a small community should raise
his voice In denunciation OF his neigh
hors under such circumstances. The in
terviews had with local people are pub
sished far and wide. but they are ad-
dressed to the Immediate vicinity. We
nssd have no sympathy with lynching,
ard stIil have a warm place for the man
wronged woman than with her assailant.
We look to the pulpit as wen as TO the
courts to uphold the law and sustain Of
ncers In the performance Of their duties.
and At the same time read without con-
demnstion the comment passed by the
pastor Of the Presbyterian church.
THE light la which to accuse or ex-
cute the crime pcrpetrated upon one OF
our most respectable. pure and inteili-
gent ladies OF Erbana il to ask the Ques-
tioa: II that had been my wife or
hay ais
pursued with regard to the disposition OF
the criminal?' There comes time on
the part Of both individuals and nations
when. from the increase OF crime, there
Will be felt the need Of the violent en-
forcement OF what may be called the un-
written law OF justice. in order that there
may be enacted written law that will
protect the helpless against the brutal
violence and crime such as vas perpe-
trased In our city a few days ago"
There Is something about these remarks
which reminds one OF the story OF the
woman taken in adultery: LET him who
Is without sin cast the first stone" Let
him who would not have been animated
by the anger OF those indignant friends
Of the outraged woman be the one TO
criticisc this minister's words.
IL IL not just to look to the people Of
rftana Just now for n calm and unbiased
Judgment. They have been stirred TO
aueer and have reacted to sorrow. Many
feel saat the inciden. Ii deeply 10 be de-
plo-ea. but viii not utter the words of
condemnation. II Is to the forces of pub
lie opinion we must turn for a strong
ae.uneiatson OF any iawlsssness. The
iavlessnsSs OF the lower orders OF mob
"a not nearly so dangerous as the iawless-
ness OF those from whom orderlness Is
expected. The governors % several states
have been invited to express their opinion
on the Incident. anc l; IL a singular result
that the only one who did M. declare
that no circumstances can arise under
which tho exercise of lynch law is war
santahle VAS the governor Of New Haup-
shire. that state which is almost syuony-
nous with ruritanlsm and which is
named for the county In England whence
oagae tho famous band who planted che
fsos of freedom and set IN the standard OF
rigorous piety or Plymouth Rock. IL is
fFosa North Carolina the strongest denun-
,lsglaa came. Gov. Rcssen Says that. al
though che barharous erutes who com
mlt 0ameless crimes must be Killed and
killed quickly. It must be deae uader the
forms OF law" He advises that the ex-
ecutive power cail the court Immediately.
sna that re trial. conviction aaa punish
ment Re prompt.
Tals Is the sprest preventive Of lynch
ing. 1t is useless to talk II furnishing
lx0chsrs. they could hardly Ne convict
e3 and II they were the punishment
Would probably I've nominal Human ma
turn IS noS always 10 be controlled BY
law. ofi.elalS r,ust use Judgment in re-
sistinx a public demand for a lynehspS
sut sas best way for = man 10 avoid be-
irs lynehea IS 20 avoid committing a
crime provocative 81 lxnchiug The pow
erfvl eeAsaa Tor opposing lyncaing la the
maintenance u society. IL ss rot tinses
wlgh any pity Ter the euiprit whose OF.
fsosye 1eservex IL