Evening journal., 1897-10-13
THE LYNCHING EVIL
STRONGLY DENOUNCED BY CHIEF
JUDGE HENRY PAGE.
NOTHING MORE ALARMING THAN
THE LAWLESS SENTIMENT
THAT SEEMS TO HAVE GROWN
IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

Princess Anne, Md, Oct. 13.-At the
opening Of the October term of the Cir
cult Court for Somerset county, Chief
Judge Henry Page, in charging the
grand jury. made some very strong re-
marks in regard to the recent lynching
Of William Cuba, who had been tried.
convicted and sentenced to death for
criminal assault upon Mrs. Mary Kelly,
OF Marion, in June last.
There is" said the judge, nothing
more alarming than the sentiment that
seems to have rapidly grown in the
last few years that certain crimes
should be speedily followed by SIM
mary punishment of the criminal at the
hands of the incensed persons without
the Intervention of court Of justice.
That this Is SO is probably due to the
fact that, in the estimation of some
good people, It is supposed that the pub
lie peace and order can better be so
maintained than by running the risks
of the laws delay, the uncertainties OF
! iuries or the pardoning power of the ex-
ecutive. But this is a great error, and
it is the duty of this court and of all
! citizens to do what lies in their power
to bring about a more correct view of
the matter
1T has been amply demonstrated by
( all past experiences that a close OBJ
servance Of the law is the best security
for the prevention of crime. Indeed
upon this depends not only the good or
der of society, but even the preserva-
tiOn of our lives. our property and our
/ liberties. The bill of rights of our Con-
stitution enforces the accepted opinion
of all civilized nations on this point
BY article 20 IL is declared that the trial
OF facts is one of the greatest securities
of the lives, liberties and estate of the
people; by article 21 that in all crimi-
nal prosecutions every man has q right
to be informed of the accusation against
him, to have copy of the charge, to bs
confronted with the witnesses against
him and to have a speedy trial by an
impartial jury. and by article % that
no man ought to be deprived OF his lib
critics or his life, but by the Judgment
of his peers or by the law of the land
''All these wholesome principles, thai
are approved by experience and funda.
mental rights by your Constitution
lynching absolutely sets at naught Il
gives no rights to the criminal, it de-
/
of a trial and ruthlessly puts an end t
his existence without observing any o.
the safeguards. that all experience has
demonstrated are necessary to protec
the innocent. If any number of per
sons can CT themselves. without trial %
any kind. say that a person is guilty O
crime and rightfully proceed to exc
cute him. there is an end of all law. N,
limit can be set as to the time and cir
cumstances when il may be done, ant
you and l and all of us hold our live
and fortunes at the mercy of any i'm
pulse that may take possession of tn
community in which we live We ma.
be destroyed like a wild beast, evel
though a partial trial would hav
shown Us to be. in. fact. innocent. Ap
parent guilt would be all that would b
necessary. It is needless to say, there
fore, that lynching is wholly withou
law and all safety. In fact where tn
courts are open It Is not a right or
remedy for wrongdoing" The judg
west on further to impress On the pub
lie mind the seriousness of the lynch
ing evil and the need that existed @
courts and juries to uphold the law an
the rights and liberties Of ali men.