The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-09

would lynch him. ut is n significant
fact" he adds, that the community that
enjoys comparative immunity from lynch
law ia usually community that enjoys
comparative immunity from demagogue
officers"
In this connection no pays high fri-
butte to Ex-Governor O'Ferrall, OF Nir-
ginia, declaring that II was due to THE
Governors courage and watchfulness
that lynch law was practically stamped
out of Virginia during his administration.
10 also pays a tribute to the Richmond
authorities for the manner in which aeaso
OF criminal assault was disposed Of in this
city several months ago, II being less
than forty days from the time OF the
assault 70 the execution OF the criminal
and yet the trial was conducted with dig
nifty and with entire fairness to the ac-
cused. he naving afterwards made fun
confession.
But while the election OF brave men to
executive positions" DR.. Pell continues
practically insures the execution Of the
law where there Is an enlightened public
sentiment. It does not insure the execu-
ton Of the law IN a community where
majority Of the people are unenlightened'
whether they are ordinarily law-abid-
ing people or not II IS this aspect OF the
problem that has awakened the more
thoughtful class Of Southerners to the
gravity OF the situation, and has inspir-
er nearly all the proposals that have thus
far been made toward the prevention Of
the lynching evil"
DR.. Peli then mentions number Of
recommendations that have been made
by the Governors Of the several Southern
States. notably that Of the former Cow
ernor Of Virginia ana others, that law
be enacted making the county in which
a Nnching occurs liable In exemplary
damages to the representatives Of the
person lynched. lie calls attention to the
fact. which has been more than once
pointed out in these columns, that such
IN
Carolina yet the worst lynching that
the South has known. perhaps, occurred
recently in that State.
Or. Pell thinks that the most effective
law that has been CT acted in this direc-
ton is a Virginia statute, making tho
crime of assault with attempt TO commit
rape punishable with death or imprison-
ment, II the discreuon Of the jury. For
reasons which are well understood. this
law has been most effective and has never
been abused. But he agrees with The
Times that it IS quite impossible to pre-
vent lynching by law. II men will not
regard the fundamental law Of the land,
they will not regard statutory law
DR.. Pen thinks that much Is to be ac-
complished through the influence OF IN
telligent citizens who shall undertake to
awaken in their neighbors higher regard
for law. But. he tells US, the southerner
does not as a rule feel the responsibility
Of citizenship. The. NortherIer" he
saws. lis a Roman, ready to sink individ-
uality out or slght LOT the ola1ei 'iN
southerner is a Greek, whose highest
ideal is not perfect state but a perfect
man. hence. the intelligent southerner
sits under his own vine and hg tree and
does not presume to teach his neighbor."
That is something TO think about In
conclusion DR.. Pell recommends that the
Northern press preach against negro
crime. and the Southern press against
race prejudice. He urges also the I'M
portance Of teachers for the negro who
shall instruct him in morals, and thinks
that the South should take the worthy
young negro by the hand as earnestly as
the mob has taken the unworthy negro
by the neck. ana encourage him in all
high ondeavor. that the race may not be
without salt to save it.
Such is a meagre outline OF Or. Pell's
article. Of which we may nave some
thing to say hereafter in the way Of COM
ment