Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-08-05
GOV. GAMBLERS APPEAL.

Gov. GAMBLER OF GEoRgIA, who seems
to have been ascribing the lswless con-
ditiOns existing in that state to every
thing but the right thing seems to
have at last come to a realization of
the fact that lynching does not check
or stop crime.
We knew this all the time. History
proves it. The only thing it does is to
crafty lust for blood which increases
instead of diminishes.
The mob becomes guilty of as heinous
crime as that charged against its al
legged victim.
But to the appeal which Gov. CAND-
LER issued. He said:
"The purity of the fair mothers and
daughters of Georgia must and shall
be preserved, and at the same time the
lives and liberties OF all OF the law
abiding Negroes in Georgia must and
shall be protected. Arson, and burgla-
~, and assassination, and robbery, and
criminal assault must stop, and at the
same time lynch law must stop. The
good or both races and the fair name
Of the State demand this"
The above sounds strange indeed.
And again:
1.-The ordinary processes Of the law
are amply sufficient to punish ell
crimes. Our judges are pure and in d.
corruptible. Our Juries are composed
of our most intelligent, upright men,
who seldom make mistakes. The mob
often makes mistakes, and the inno-
cent are made to suffer with the guilty.
It never knows how 60 stop, but after
punIshIng the guilty-crazed by the
blood of one victim, 1t thirsts for the
blood Of another victim, and often sac
rifices on the altar of vengeance those
who are guiltless Of crime"
The above is a virtual admission that
the lynchers have stained their hands
with the blood of the innocent as well
as the guilty. And again:
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 erect.
ed. We must do this in the interest
Of the white men of Georgia and IN the
interest OF the Negroes of Georgia. and
for the fair name of Georgia, and 10
protect the virtue of the women OF
Georgia"
He is late In Discovering this. After
permitting lawless white murderers t.
roam over the state soaring colored
people from ths;z homes, lashing the
backs of others. scslping and cutting &C
pieces the bodies OF still others.
He now asks that law be re-eHthron
ed. No threats, no assertion of author.
ity, but the pitiAbie spectacle is pre-.
scented of state Chief Executive beg
ging murderers not to murder any
more people. 1t is indeed humiliat-
ing spectacle. And the President o.
the United States is silent.
i But Governor CANDLKR reaches ths
correct conclusion at last when hC
SAYS:
Lynch law does not stop arson, mol
murder, nor robbery, nor criminal as
sAult. This requires the strong power
OF the statute law, sustained by
healthy, vigorous public sentiment"
And again:
"T would appeal continues Gov.
ernor Gambler, to all officers Of the
State, civil and military. urging them
to remember that the dignity and the
fair name of Georgia are in their keep
ing. would appeal TO them to remem.
Der that they are the guardians OF the
peace and happiness OF the people o.
the State. It is their duty to appre
bend and bring tc justice all who vic
late the law, whether it be the Negro
who commits assault, or the white mai
who kills him for his crime. The CRANE
: juries must realize that it il as mucl
their duty to ferret out and return
true bills against member OF the mol
who lynch q murderer, IS it is to re
turn true bill against the murderer
himself"
How did Gov GAMBLER arrive at thi
conclusion 2 How did he bring him
self to state these truisms which a
conscientious men have been, obserV
ing7
) He concluded as follows:
In bringing about this end, say
the Governor in conclusion, i woul
invoke the active, earnest co-operatio
of ell good men, white and black, wit
the Off GERS OF the law, in their effort
to prevent crime, suppress mob vic
I lence, and bring criminals 80 justice
and restore peace and order and tran
J guilty to all OF our people, Of ever
race, class and condition."
: - =-&zz.z.-u-zsz--~-
! 1t is diff ,ult to believe that Governc
GAMBLER wrote those words. Whs
, caused him to do it The voice OF tn