The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-28

That referred to the achievements which
Major cutchins had previously asked for.ss
How could the Governor have misunder-t
stood fhise Hold company ut armory'
meant keep the men armed and ready to
move at moments notine. Major Clutch
ins said, as plainly as he could, without
Appearing to dictate to the Governor, Il
Know that you will wire me to remain,
and I want that other company from
Richmond to start for Emporia the mo;
ment I telegraph for it, Major cntcpins
has been very guarded in oil that he has
said since he was first ordered to En-
poria, and he has spoken in the kindest
terms Of the Governor. But his meaning
In the telegram. above cited, is so plain
that It cannot be misunderstood. There
to him when the Governors reply was
received. 1.-THE sole responsibility" said
the Governor, .'is on the sheriff. If he
orders you to withdraw you can do nothing
but obey. We have done everything pcs
ssble to uphold law and prevent mob viz
lence and are still prepared to render
any aid necessary. Have recalled train
with Captain Chcatwood's company, and
will again dismiss them.
There never was more unconditional
surrender. Troops at Emporia ordered
home; troops at home dismissed; the
states prisoners abandoned to their fate
and before Major Cutchins and his men
reached Richmond the first victim OF the
mob's fury. had been swung up. Cover
nor Tyler knew, as well as he could fore
know anything. that there would be
lyncfing. lie did not question the posi-
tive statement made to him by Major
Cutchins. His reply, in effect, was that
the Executive was exhausted" and the
mob would have. to do its worst.
We do not mean to shield the local ofl-
Gals at Emporia, but we do say that the
Governor of Virginia is responsible for
the savage breach of the law at Empo-
ria on Saturday last, and he cannot clear
his own skirts by shifting the blame to
the county sheriff. II he had wired Major
Cutchins to- hold his ground and defend
the law, there would have been no lynch
ing, and all men, save such as were IN
sympathy with the mob, would have
praised the Governor for his courageous
devotion to duty.
We would not appear to pursue and
harrass the Governor. 1t is very far
from our disposition to give him pain,
but great principle is involved, prin-
ciple in which the people are vitality con-
cerned. The surrender of the Governor of
Virginia and the GreensvIlle County au-
thorities to the mob, the iynching or
negro by white men and the lynchins OF
a white man by negroes. as matter OF
compensation, have done more than any
similar group of outrageous acts since the
war to rally the 1awless element and bring
the law into contempt. Yet the Cover
nor, i'm defending his course, seems to
serve notice that hereafter if mob IN
any county can manage TO intimidate or
deceive the sheriff. or make him drunk
and intimidate the judge, it may nave
its own way. for any interference IL may
meet at the hands Of the Chief Executive.
We are unwilling that such precedent
shall he established The Governor OF
Virginia is clothed with sufficient author-a
itiv to suppress riot and preserve the
peace whenever and wherever the local
authorities cannot or will not uphold the
law. We say that Governor Tyler mas
at his command the entire military force
of the State, and that he should have
called out every soldier in the State and
that he should have exhausted every re-
source, both civil and military, before
mermittiug the mob at Emporia to break
into the iail and hang men who were in
The States custody. Our plea is for law
and order and the courage to MAINTAIN
it at all hazard and at any cost