The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1901-02-06
DOWN With LAWLESSNESS.
Stirring Appeal from One of the
Best Citizens of the County.
The Time for Determined Ac-
tiOn Has Come.

The Time for Determined Ac-
tiOn Has Come.
THR LEADER has received the follow
ing communication which comes as an
echo of the sentiments wesexpressed
last week under the caption, "Good
Citizens to the Front" 1t was written
by one of the best known and most in
fiuential citizens of Lincoln county. a
man OF action rather than words, who
Is In blood earnest over the grave sit
uation discussed, and who, as far as he
is concerned, stands ready to respond,
to the fullest measure, In any way con-
sistent with good citizenship, to rem
edy the evil complained of:
EDITOR LEADER am not an adept
when it comes to expressing my
thoughts on paper, nor have the gift
OF language that would enable me to
impress my hearers were l to address
them. Had these faculties, neither
tongue nor pen should rest until the
peril that is threatening the entire
community by the atrocious acts of
the lawless, being perpetrated almost
daily in our midst, would find a re-
sponse In the heart of every law -abid-
ing citizen. Murder, incendiarism,
burglary, blind tigerism and other kin.
dred crimes are becoming so common
as to command but limited attention.
Just think of it. A man shot down,
cruelty murdered on public street, in
the city of Brookhaven, on a bright,
moonlight evening, in sight and hear
ing of numerous persons. The au-
dacity of the crime is almost beyond
comprehension. We may rest assured
that unless the perpetrator is hunted
down and properly punished. the
whole community will pay the penalty.
The time is past when men who bave
the welfare of the county in their
keeping can remain silent and say, at
is no affair of mine"
Are all men towards? l think not.
Are we to remain passive when the
very safety of our wives, our children
and our homes is threatened? You,
reader, may be the next victim of the
assassin's bullet. Your home may be
the next one the fire fiend will reach.
Your son may be the next to fall
captive to the "hell broth" of the
skulking "Tiger." Let the manhood
of Lincoln county rise up in it's might
and place the seal of condemnation
upon the criminals who are running
the fair name of our county.
We have come, beyond question, to
the parting of the ways. There can be
No further compromise with crime.
Every citizen interested in the fu-
ture prosperity, morals and happiness
of our community mast rise up in his
might and determine that such condi
tions shall not longer exist.
The "Blind Tiger" is at the bottom
of all the lawlessness that is going on,
and its suppression is an absolute
necessity. 1t can and mast be done.
If present conditions are to contin-
ue, then farewell to the fair name of
Lincoln county. Brookhaven, with
her numerous churches and schools,
can don her garb of sack cloth and
ashes and quietly await the fate that
befel Sodom and Gomorrah. Retri
butive justice may be slow, but it is
nevertheless sure.
CITIZEN.
Since writing the above, | have
learned that John Sasser has been ar
rested, charged with the murder of
Lard. If he is innocent, let him prove
it. If he is guilty, then let the punish
ment be sure, swift and commensurate
with the crime. G.