The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-10-04

reign Of mnitarism may ultimately be
an actually. our Institutions are IN
imminent peril and cannot be perpetu-
ated without one OF two things-a rad
ical stiffening OF the public conscience,
or stronger centralized government,
backed by a military force which shall
protect the people against themselves,
We are apt to excuse the frequent
violent popular outbursts from which
our land suffers more than any other
civilized country, both as regards fire.
ouency and barharity, by the assertion
that Ignorant foreigners" are respon-
sible, In this attempt to shirk respOn-
sibiity great Injustice is done our
foreign.born citizens. for they did not
practice lynchlng in their home lands
and are not likely to have so quickly
learned the custom here.
A careful review OF recent disgrace
ful acts OF mob violence brings the the
vitable conclusion that but two races
are responsible for nine out Of every
ten of them-the black ana the white
American.
The Alabama lynehing, like all others
which have been marked by fiendish
atrocities. took place in community
which is distinctively American The
foreign population of the South. where
seven-eighths Of these outbreaks Of bar
barism occur, is Insignificant, while
large cities of the East and the great
West. where the masses of our Immi-
grants settle, are almost entirely free
from mob violence.
There can be no palliatlon for lynch
ing. In condemning in the severest
terms the barbarism Of the Alabama
mob we do not forget the crime Of the
mob's victim. 1t is a fearful crime
but cne which many of the Southern
states punish with death, and conviction
is certain. That these barbarous lynch
ings tend to check the crime Of which
the Alabama negro was accused must
be doubted. for one lynching is often
quickly followed by another IN the
same nelghborhood for the same Of
tense. In a single county in Florida
fourteen negroes accused OF the one
crime have been lynched in eight con-
secutive months. Many similar cases
indicate that revengeful retaliation is
by unnecessary and brutal
mob violence. rather than evil passion
The practice of iynching renders the
lives OF all. whether innocent or gull
ty. unsafe. In overthrowing lawful
procedure II makes Of every man a
Judge Of his neighbor's right to IN ex-
Istence. II causes regret for the crime !
Of the guilty to be lost in the injus-
lice of his punishment It lowers the
moral tone and hardens the sensibili-
lies by public exhibitions Of torture and |
BY teaching contempt for
aw it menaces the very foundations
II society It degra1es the partici
PANTS. the law and the general public.
Il is founded on neither prudence. JUS
ice nor morality. It is an appalling |
disagreement Of the otherwise fair |
form OF our American civilization; a |
lark blot on the escutcheon Of our glo-
-ious republic; a cancer in the flesh Of
society. threatening the very life Of
government.
These burnings Of defenseless negroes
are especially inimical to our interests |
Just now, when the colored races which |
have lately been brought under the
folds Of our flag are studying our every
to see what sort Of treat
nent they may expect in the future un-
Ter American rule. Can we blame
hem II they fail to take a hopeful
view of the situation?
Lynching must be stopped. If it
.akes a large standing army to accom-
olish that end the army will be orovid-
ID. But we are not pessimistic. We
believe that saner ideas viii somehow
prevail. A realization Of the
Nations peril if lawlessness be not
,hecked, impressed upon every mind
by unceasing notes Of warning from
press and pulpit, may avail much. In
he meanwhile laws against fragrant
:rimes should be speedily and rigidly
executed and more states should
,dopt suoh legislation az will best dis