The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-19

OPEN, PRISONER TAKEN, BURN
OR SHOT TO DEATH WHILE
HANGING TO A TREE, AND AS IN
THE CASE OF SAM HOSE IN
GEORGIA, THEY RUN EXCUR-
SION TRAINS TO THE PLACE"
This paper prints above the cartoon
these words: TYPES OF SOUTHERN
JUSTICE TO COLORED PEOPLE"
and also has pictures of Rogers, "the
Frustrated Mother Who Knows All Too
Well What Will Be The Fate of Her
Son." pictures of his "Fiancee Who Is
Anxiously Awaiting the Result" and of
his sister with Whom Rogers Lived
When Arrested in Brockton." Editor
tally the paper compares the present re-
quistion of Governor Aycock with at
tempts to recover escaped slaves under
the Fugitive Slave Law, and as pre-
cedent cites the refusal of the Governor
of Indiana to honor the requisition of
Governor Taylor. 1t says the purpose
Gin coming after Rogers is not for the
harm he has done to a certain citizens
property but to strike terror to all col
ored people in that community by max
ing them feel that whatever they do, and
wherever they may 60, the State will
spare no pains to seek them and visit
upon them speedy and condign punish
ment." 1t adds:
"That is solely the cause that brings
Crabtree, the North Carolina officer. here
for Rogers. Massachusetts, should never
join in this inhuman effort to terrOrze
defenseless people
All this about negro, accused of
crime, and uttered to defeat trial!
Rogers a hero-a martyr-the represen-
tative of 'defenceless people against
whom North Carolina is engaged in an
"inhuman effort to terrorize. If it were
not pitiable that people in an intelligent
community could swallow such SANDER
of as kind people as can be found in
Boston, all this stuff would be as fun
ny as a circus.
The law of North Carolina makes it the
duty of the Insurance Commission to di-
rect the prosecution of persons guilty of
burning or trying to burn property.
Rogers, Mr.. Young, North Carolina's
courteous insurance commissioner adj
dressed courteous note to the like off,
Ger in Massachusetts, quoting the law
and assuring him that Rogers would
have a perfectly fair trial. Mr.. Young
received courteous reply. The Boston
Traveller received yesterday contains an
open letter to Mr.. Young from Rev. w.
H. Scott, negro preacher, who makes an
inflammatory appeal to the people of
Massachusetts against the return of
Rogers. He recites the burning of the
negro Manly's printing office in Will
mington, quotes extracts from Col. Wad-
delrs speech, and says: 1--WE shall not
allow Monroe Rogers to go back to that
hell where men are transformed into
demons" The letter has not yet reached
Mr.. Young. 1t is so hot it may be that
no bag not made out of asbestos would
transport it.
This same negro preacher seems to be
at the bottom of the agitation, for in an
interview in another paper. he says:
This is deep laid plan to annihilate
the race. 1t is not Rogers alone whose
fotu ic ho sol
race. This is but test case" If the
preacher believes half of this ne sees /
ghosts and is fit subject for an insane
asylum. His Mysteries will soon make it
impossible for any thoughtful man to
give heed to his rantings.
The Traveller says: "a mass meet
ing in Faneuil Hall is to be held soon
and a. letter issued to all Northern gov
ernors, requesting them to ignore
all extradition papers till this case is
settled" 1t is hard to conceive of such
suggestion finding its way in the col
umns of a newspaper, so palpably absurd
and ridiculous must it be regarded by
intelligent men in Boston and Brock
ton.
What is all this stir about? A negro
has been indicted for burning a house.
He fees the State to escape trial. The
Governor of North Carolina asks the
Governor of Massachusetts to return him
to Durham to be tried. II he had been
white criminal, Rogers would have
been extradited and put on trial. Be-
cause he is a negro, and many negroes
still make heroes of their criminals and
ignore their best leaders, the wheels of
justice are stopped. Rogers will be as
safe in Durham as Murray Crane is in