The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-09-10

North and
Recent events In Alabama are worthy
the attention OF our northern friends
who are so concerned about the bar
barious crueities' visited upon a Ger
tain class Of negro criminals at the
south. It is always necessary TO dwell
upon such instances as these we have
In mind. because the philanthropists
in his part OF the country. while they
see every lynching without fail. are
rater disposed TO overlook the efforts
OF law-abiding men to uphold the ma
jesty OF the law Efforts are made.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. attended by more
risk thar lecturers in safe places are
perhaps aware of-and not seldom sue
cess is achieved only at the cost OF
bloodshed.
Less than two weeks ago, for exam
pie, Hon. John Pelham, circuit judge in
the northern part of Alabama, a state,
not q federal official. assisted by Solfc-
itor Coleman and the sheriff OF st.
Clair county. held at bay an infuriat-
ed mob bent upon lynching a negro who
had been found guilty OF the unpar-
donable crime. In the heart OF 3 noun
tain district n beset by desperate and
fearless men, Judge Pelham. with the
help OF a handful Of volunteers. beat
back the would-be l~ynchers. He ask
ed for no militia. He took his life in
his hand and save the negro from q
violent and lawless death. 1t was not
lone easily, as may be believed by any
one acquainted with the people OF
North Alabama, their ideas and their
customs. The representatives OF the
law had to shoot, n shoot straight.
before the mob could be convinced
that death awaited them in any furth-
er prosecution OF their bloody plans.
Two or three had been killed outright
and several others when they
reached the conclusion that Law and
order a indomitable protectors for
that occasion, at least, n that sub
mission was the wiser and better
course.
Still more recently, in the case Of q
lynching actually accomplished within
fifty miles OF the capitol OF the state,
Montgomery, a leader has already
been sent TO prison for life, two OF his
coaojutors LAY received sentences for
ten years. and another is on trial with
every prospec OF receiving similar
punishment
The trouble with the south's critics
and ~accuser is that they ignore occur
rences of this kind, although there are
many of which they might readily in
form themselves, ard concentrate their
energies in a denunciation OF the lynch
ings which are not prevented. AS q
matter of fact, however. these mob ex-
ecutions take place very often at the
north, especially in such states as Ohio.
Indiana, and Kansas-much oftener
than at the south, if We consider the
negro population-and we have yet to
hear of an instance in which a lyncher
has been arrested, tried, and punished,
if, indeed. any serious attempt has been
made in that direction. Northern peo-
pie who write and declaim on this
subject. always with the southern e o
pie as their horrible examples, need to
strengthen their position at the earliest.
possible moment. First, they should
keep careful account of the northern
lynchings, with a view to odious COM
PARSONS. Secondly, they should make
an estimate of the efforts made by the
two sections to prevent this Kind OF
violence. and the character of punish
ment inflicted where prevention has
not been possible. 1t is our opinion
that the south will make a very favor
able showing in this respect as con-
traSted with the north, and that q
great many gentlemen now compla-
Gently engaged in r~epruaching their
southern fellnw-citizans will find that
they have profitable employment FOR
any amount of such ~eloquence at home.
There is just one remedy for lynch
ing, and it is idle to talk of any other.
The communities that are the victims
of one particular crime must be taught
not by precept, but by unvarying ex-
ample-that uch outrages will be
promptly, certainly, and terrfblg,
avenged through the agencies OF jusy
tice. In default of that assurance,
made doubtly sure by unmistakable and
overwhelming proof, all the preaching
in the world will vail nothing. If the
law does not give them vengeance
quick and thorough. men Will take it
for Observation-Disclosures Post