New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-03
GOVERNOR CANDLER'S APPEAL.

Governor Gambler Of Georgia has issued an
appeal to the people Of his state on the sub
iect of lynchiDg which does him much credit
and which, proceeding from such source
ought 70 evoke a cordial response and he pro
ductjve of good The truths which the Gov
prnor perceivps he has set forth in language
quite as frank and plain as that which North
ern observers have employed in dealing with
the same matter but II may be hoped that he
will he listened TO not only without resent
mont hut with A sincere disposition on the
mart Of his audience to give him the practical
support which he solicits For we assume that
Governor Gambler means to be n leader In the
movement which he advocates. II would in
woke" he says. 'the active. earnest coopera-
"tlon Of all good men, white and black. with
"the officers of the law in their efforts TO pre-
event crime and suppress mob violence and
"brlng criminals to justice and restore peace
land tranquility to all our people Of every race,
"class and condition." As the Chief Magis-
trate Of the Commonwealth he doubtless real
ICES that his duty does not end with admon-
ton and entrcaty.
The Governors appeal derives It's force from
his luminous presentation Of the case against
the lawless punishment of crime. He declares
and her juries composed of intelligent and up
right men "who seldom make mistakes But
"the mob often makes mistakes. and the inno-
cent are made 10 suffer with the guilty. 1t
"never knows when to stop, but, after punish
ling the guilty, drunk with the blood OF one
"yictim. IT thirsts for the blood OF another. and
"often sacrifices on the altar Of vengeance those
"who are guiltless Of any crime" True 1t is
that the passion for uSurping the functions OF
the law which may have its origin in just
detestation of an atrocious crime, or even seem
to spring directly from the instinct OF self
preservation, almost inevitably finds its ulti-
mate expression in acts Of hideous barbar1ty
and degradation And true it is also that such
indulgence in ferocity is far worse than useless
even for the purpose which It ostensibly serves.
lynch law does not stop arson, nor murder,
nor robbery, nor rape. This requires the
"strong power Of the statute law, sustained by
"a healthy, vigorous public sentiment
To the cultivation Of such a public senti-
ment Governor Gambler entreats all the intelli-
gent people of Georgia, and especially the
members Of the legal profession. TO contribute.
and he impressively urges all officers OF the
State to remember that it Is their duty TO ex-
haust their authority in bringing to Justice not
only the negro who commits a crime, but the
white man who kills him for It. There can
not be any doubt that the people are capable
of responding to this appeal in such manner
as to accomplish the object which they ac-
knowledge to be essential to their honor and
welfare. IT, as they maintain, the shocking
processes Of the mob are the expression Of
feeling that is not only intense but originally
laudablc then that feeling IS competent, IL
properly directed and utilized. to enforce
prompt and efficient administration Of the law.
That truth is Of universal application. We re-
fer particularly TO Georgia only because the
invitation to these remarks happens to come
from that State Wherever, North or South.
a disposition to improve the operation Of the
law is made an excuse for defyng the law
Governor Gamblers appca! should find n re-
spectful hearing.