Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-03-31
GOV. TYLIK's RESPONSIBILITY.

The action of Governor TYLER In per-
uniting the lynching of WALTER OoT-
TON (colored) and BRANDT O'GRADY
(wbite) Saturday, March %, 1900 at
Emporia, Greenesville Coanty, Va, IL
without n parallel in the criminal an
mails of the commonwealth.
Viewing It from any dispsssionate
standpoint, it made the Chief Execu-
tive q party to . crime, which was
heinous in its conception, and disLoli-
cal in its execution.
The troops were sent to uphold the
majesty of the Law. but this &C uld have
been done only by saving the lives of
the prisoners.
These men hso virtually thrown
themselves upon the state, and the
state in disarming, manacling aud
holding them had assumed 9 response
bility which it could not honorably
shirk.
Its duty was to either protect these
mems lives against all corners, backed
up by all of its machinery, or it should
have armed and released them. giving
them the opportunity to protect them
selves.
By no process of reasoning, either
OF morals or of law can the RESPONSE
bility be shifted from Governor ].
HoGE TYLER OF VIRGINIA. He admits
that he knew that the withdrawal of
the troops would mean the lynchinp of
the prisoners.
As lynching is murder, according Ito
the ststutes.of Virgins, .he thereby be
came . party to the crims, and is as
much responsible for the shedding OF
blood ss are the judge. the sheriff and
the mob who took away the lives of
the prisoners.
Indeed some have argued that he is
even more so, for he was outside of the
zone of passionate excitement, and
within the confines OF the EXECUTIVE
MANSION, free from danger.
He had the General almost
at his elbow, and presumed to be learn
ed in the law. There is hardly even q
shyster attorney in the state, who
could not have told him that it is moi
necessary to declare martial law in or.
der to save she life of citizen.
The protection of life and liberty i,
the purpose for which governments art
established. BE had the example O.
his predecessor, Hon. CHARLES It
0'FERRALL staring him in the face, and
that constitutional provision com.
handing that he shall take care thai
the laws are faithf lily executed.
Gov. TYLRR was therefore left with
no discretion in the matter, after hi
had been officially informed that the
removal Of the troops would result il
murder.
Certainly when the Judge of Greenes
vile County infor ned him that hi.
Own life was in danger, and the mol
had suspended the operation of the
processes of the court, il ever there
were a time for declaring even martha
law, it was then. Moreover, the
statutes provide that every citizen i,
legally bound to prevent the commits
sion of felony.
1t is 10 wonder that the entire coun
try, the whole civilized world has re-
garded with amusement, the action o.
the Governor Of Virginia.
This has been intensified when il i,
known that he, as ChIet
OF the military forces of Virgins or.
dered Major Sol. CUrcHIxs to plaes
himself and men under the control OF
and wholly subject to the orders of /,
drunken white sheriff, man who at
tempted to drug with wAiskey, tho
militia OF the state.
This then 10 . spectacle (which mo-,
only dumfounds the public but create,
amAsemsnt among all classes WHEREBY.
or Il Is told.