The Colorado statesman., 1900-01-27

cent years as follows:
1885. .lS4: 1856 138; 1887 l22; 1888 142
1889 176; 1890 127; 1891 1872; 1892 235
1893 200; 1894 100; 1895 Ill; 1896 III
1897 I66; 1898 127; 1899 l07; 1900
1t will be observed that the evil
reached its high water mark in 1892
when 235 were lynched. The decline
from that time until the present year
has been fairly gradual. A slight in
crease is noticeable in 1897 when l66
persons were victims of mobs.
Considering the statistics of the
Courant as accurate, the optimists
have great reasons of their faith. 1t
certainly argurs good for the future,
10 that there is preceptible decline
in lynchings. This decline must be
attributed rs much to the Influential
Northern dailies, also many Southern
ones, as to the efforts on the part of
the Negroes themselves. The crea.
ton of public sentiment against the
pernicious practice, the result OF those
agencies, has proven. a means OF
bringing about results that more rad
ical means may not have secured.
1t is a matter of congratulation that
the evil is dying out from the weight
of public opinion which is decidedly
against it. 1t is mistaken notion
that the whole country is indifferent
to the savage outbursts that appear
caucerons growth on the body polite
of the country. There are but very
few men who are mobbists by instinct,
either white or black.
The fact is simply this; that the
log cabin and the big house idea is
vet vivid in the minds of those who
dwelt in the white houses. 1t will
take years Of earnest endeavor on the
psrt of either race to disassociate
incidents of by gone days.
What has followed the slavery period
is but the natural result of the break
ing up OF the period. 1t is evolution.
Evolution does not move by fits and
starts, but ruus It's cycle as malig
nant disease ana ends only when 1t
ends. Balms may be administered,
must be administered to prevent total
annihiation, but they simply serve to
assuage that the end may be we'll but
they cannot eradicate.
Time, the great dispenser Of all
good gifts to mankind claims the
right of way, and to it must be pinned
our hopes of delivery. To implore
governmental Intervention for relief
is privilege, but a privilege merely.
1t is a privilege that is sometimes at
tended with sacrifices. The sover-
eighty of the state is taljsmanic TO the
citize1s of the state and it will be but
a poor state that does not in some
way defend the actions of the state
no matter how far reaching and dam
aging these actions ar. The inactiv-
ity Of the government in the matter
of the late disf snchising acts in the
Southern sta sea iscUnclnsive that the
government has Ieckoned the cost
for, we mu not suppose the govern
ment is sitting supprnely by allowing
depreda ions to be committed on
part of it's cirizens. if it could, by the
turn Of the hand, bring about The
needle reforms.
All o. the recent presidents have
expresse desire that the races
should. dwell together in peace. 1t
may mean but little to those who suf-
fer the arrows Of outrageous fortune;
these meaning" plt ti'u les but it is
the very best That the age will per-
NIT. No government wills its own
destruction; it carries ont those pro-
grams, policies aud expediences that
contribute to governmental longevity.
However there is no defense of the
miquitous practice that has gained
the country unenviable notoriety
abroad and created distrust and hatr-
ed in the hearts IF those at home.
The laws delay, so often urged i'll
defense of the dtrocious acts is but a
lame excuse. In our highly civilized
communities apprehension equals
conviction in event there is the evi
derce Of guilt. The laws are defeat
ed of their IDS, which are to protect
the weak, when the communities be-
come it law unto themselves; there
being TO appeal but from C@car
drink, TO Caesar drunk. In the name
Of the innocent ones who are siruck
down by an avalanche Of opposition
who have their side Of the story