The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-24
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY a. 1898.
4 CASE OF FEARFUL LaWLEss-

The report Of the lynching Of the negro
postmaster at Lake city in South caro-
ma, II true, discloses q terrible oondi-
ton of society in that community
Conceding that the aversion was natur-
AT with which the negro as a postmaster
was regarded by the white people OF
Lake City. the negro was certainly not
guilty OF Death I'm accepting an office
given him by the government at Wash
ington. If any crime against society was
committed IT was by Mr.. Mckinley. How
awful the deeds of q mob may be when
the restraints Of law are broken was here
Iuridly shown. Not only was the man
KILLED. but his baby was killed and burned
up with him. and his wife. two daughters
and a small son were shot. The victim
mad neither committed rape, murder ar
son. nor any other crime-but he had ac-
cepted an Office and was Objectionable ON
that account.
1t cannot be pretended that there was
any danger Of negro domination in South
Carolina. All that had been settled by
the constitutional revision. But the law
less spirit which was engendered in the
night against the negro is shown i'm this
merciless and indscriminate massacre.
Where such a spirit exists st IS apt TO
break out in the most unexpected way.
II is some such awful catastrophe OF
blood that we may expect If a disregard
for law is any way tolerated even
here in quiet old Virginia-if We but let
a contempt OF law become general in any
locality. The particular result expected
from a lawless deed may be thought to be
not only unobiectionable, but absolutely
beneficial, and yet there is no benefit
which can counterbalance q popular feel
ing or disregard and contempt for the
law. II that feeling prevails and takes
possession OF mob the mob draws no
line and man ana infant. right and JUS
tice. alike 90 down before its awful
rorGf
me people at large reason very plainly
about it. They say IF our leaders. our
statesmen. our oxemplars IN church and
business tell us it is right to break the
law and perjure ourselves in this partl-
cular-as FOR instance In clections-be-
cause they say we win get some benefit
by 1t, why should we not break the law
when in some other matter we ourselves
think that We will get another benefit
by so doing
when tho line OF the law and its rever-
entail observance is once broken down,
all restraint Is thrown to the winds and
the spirit OF anarchy is let loose.
This time 1t was q negro and his whole
family OF six, who were either killed or
wounded, because he was dsagreeabe as
a postmaster-the next time Il may be
some Objectionable white person who may
3e easier settled with by a mob than in
court.
We think II best. " mob law is TO pre-
wal, that II should be so announced, and
Jet every man take care Of himself as
best no can. but It is unfair and even
cowardy to lull persons into a sense OF
security with the idea that the law will
protect them when 1t is only a sham. and
when the lawIess spirit is as effective
as 1; anarchy were the avowed principle
Of society. one side or the other should
be taken; either is preferable to the de-
ceptive and treacherous middle ground.
Which side will virginians chooseg No
one who knows them will doubt for an In
slant, that virginians will stand for the
side OF law and order and the homes, OBJ.
seryance OF an cath Of ONCE.