The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-08-04
TRUE AS GOSPEL.
A Manly Editorial on In Subject of
Lynchine,

Lynching.
> Atlanta, Ga, July N.-The Atlanta Com.
mercial is emphasizing the feeling here over
lypching. The New York newspapers have
oeen jumping on the Commercial and its re.
ply Is sensational. 1t tells the New York
Journal that the Journal and Constitution
represent nothing but that contemplate
hypocrisy that subordinates the security O,
defenceless women and children OF the coun'
try precincts to the greedy and false notion
northern investments in the Cities" 1t con
tinues: 1.-The people OF the north are bigger
fools than we q k them TO be II they accept
as a correct reflection Of public sentiment In
the south the professions Of these papers on
fully deceived If they believe what either sayt
In regard to the sectional question. They
may be sure that they are charming hem
with their diplomacy In order to more efiec
tua!ly rob them with their ingenuity"
1.-The people Of Georgia." the Commercial
continues, flavor lynching for the usual
CRIME. Those who contend that lynching IL
confined to the lawless element are q lot OF in
fernal liars who take the people Of the north
for q lot OF in fernal fools. We might as well
be plain and honest about the matter. 1
their contention is true, that the people form
Ing such mobs are lawless and unrepresenta,
tive, why is 1t that these men, or some o
governor offers rewards, but the oldest inhab
liant doesn't remember OF one being claimed
or paid.
THE GRIFFIN LYNCHING.
"In the case OF the Griffin lynching there
was the most perfect order, and 1t Ia q vel
recognized fact that In the crowd there were
graduates Of the state university and some o
compare with the ci civilization OF any country
on the face Of the globe. There is no one x
prosecute these men for It is impossible u
get a grand Jury In spalding county TO indie
main reason given by all lynchers IL the law't
delay" This Ia far from the truth OF the sit
uation. II the people knew absolutely tha1
the criminal would be hung by the law In
violence would continue unabated. It moi
the uncertainty OF the punishment that ex
cites them. It Is a spirit hat breathes the
Hottest chivalry, q determination that the
pure victim shall not be subjected to the har
rowing experience that follows court inquiry
In order that her assailant may be properly
punished. This is the main consideration In
every lynching for this particular crime, and
all appeals TO law will be futile until gallantry
becomes a thing OF the past"
BRING IT HOME.
ave believe" continues Mr.. Blackburn
sin law and popular reliance on thu statute
but the people being the authors Of the Law
we believe that every man should VOW hit
highest and strongest allegiance to that greaI
unwritten law that calls upon him to protec
his family from despoliatIon. We believe
that the man who would see his own CHILD
outraged and then call upon the people tc
submit to law and allow her to be examined
In detail before a gaping, curious crowd, Ii
worse than the brute guilty Of the crime and
should be hung on the same gallows with
him.
If the daughter OF either one OF the New
York editors that criticised our position were
outraged by some skulklng brute, and some
OF their friends should lynch the devil, the
wounded editor would have nothing bul
pra Uses for his chivalrous helpers, and would
In any event, be the last man, or earth to say
Let the law take Its course. This states the
case. LynchiDg for this crime Is a home ques-
ton and must be look ed at from every flreslde
II Is a great wrong for one of US In the cowd
ed cities to shut ourselves In the shells o
our o W II security and with hold our sympa
thy from the poor country man who Ia with
his family at the mercy of al inferior and
criminal race. His wife is just as pure al
ours and his little children have their fingers
just as firmly olinohed In there heart strings
az those at our police protecte ed homes. 1T IL
right that our people should protect theil
homes In this way and we repeat that Goo
should he praised every time such a brute II
hung. The only security to our system O
government begins and end at the hearth
stone."