The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-02
GOVERNOR GAMBLER ON LYNCHING.

Governor Gamblers appear TO the people
of Georgia to put an end to lynching.
Georgia has been especially unfortunate
this wear in the crimes that produce
lynchings and i'll the number and horror
of the sequels. The problem, however,
is by no means one that is peculiar TO
Georgia, and Governor Gamblers state
ment of the case deserves to be reaG,
re-read and carefully considered:
1.-The ordinary processes of the law are
amply sufficient to punish all crimes.
Our judges are pure and incorrupuble
Our juries are composed OF our most
intelligent, upright men, who seldom
make mistakes. The mob often makes
mistakes and the innocent are made to
suffer with the guilty. 1t never knows
where to stop, but after Furnishing the
guilty, drunk with the, blood of one vic
tim. it thrsts for the blood of another,
and often sacrifices on the altar of ven,
geance those who are guiltless of any
crime.
I'VE must away with the mob. We
must re-enthrone the law. We must
restore the altar of reason and tear
down the altar that passion has erected
We must do this in the interest of the
white men of Georgia and in the interes.
of the negro of Georgia, and for the fair
name of Georgia and to protect the yir-
tue of the women of Georgia.
Lynch law does not stop arson, nor
murder, nor robbery, nor rape. This
requires the stronger power of the stat
ute law, sustained by healthy, vigorous
public sentiment.
Il would appeal to all officers of the
State, civil and military, beg them to re-
member that the dignity and the fair
name of Georgia are In their keeping
| would appeal to them to remember
that they are the guardians of the peace
and happiness of the people of the State.
1t is their duty to apprehend and bring
to justice all who violate the law, wheth-
er it be the negro who commits rape or
the white man who kills him for HIS
crime The grand julies must realize
that it is as much their duty to ferret
out and return true bills against mem
bers of the mob who lynch a murderer
as it is to return true bill against the
murderer himself.
Il would appeal especially to the bar
to bring that potent influence which the
members Of the profession exercise III
every community to the aid of law and
order, not only by discountenancing mob
rule, but by aiding the courts and iuries
in bringing accused parties to speedy
trial. Ii is the duty of the lawyer to see
that his client has fair and impartial
trial. but he should not resort to mere
technicalities and pretexts to defeat the
ends of justice or even to delay the en-
forcement Of penalties whereby society
suffers and the confidence Of the people
in the ability of the courts to punish
crime is destroyed"
We do not believe that there is in this
single proposition that can be success
fully attacked He emphasizes just what
the experience of every Southern State
has shown, viz: that lynCtsing does ne.
stop the crimes for which the victims are
lynchel If it did. SO atrocsous are the
circumstances attending most the crimes
that doubtless few men would be found
to@say alight against ii. But since it does
not. it fails utterly to justify itself from
any point of view.
I'VE must away with the mob says
(soyel1lor Gambler, and he is right. This.
not because of what the mob does to the
victim. when he is really guilty, but be-
cause of that it does to itself and to thu
whole public body. The rapist deserves
all that he gets, but the community does
not deserve that life. property, and all
respect for law and order, should be en-.
dangered by the fostering of the mob
spirit. The fate of the criminal may be
largely matter of Indifference. but thu
public safety aud public morals are not