New-York tribune., 1903-07-10
THE LYNCHING EVIL.
Due to Principles Deeply implanted
an Human Nature.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.


Sir: have read with great interest the sermons
and the discussions commenting on the lynching Of
the negro White al Wilmington. Del. Most of them
are outbursts of indignation, accusation against
the city the authorities the State and against the
minister whose sermon claim the cause
OF it. But not one Of them is trying to find the
cause Of lyuching in general and to find ways and
means how to prevent IL
Preachers, statesmen, philanthropists. look for
the cause Of the evil; find the origin Of the dis
ease! Lynching is merely a symptom the effect
OF some hidden force, manifestation OF protest
against something. What that something is is
problem TO be solved. There is always a connec
ton between cause and effect and until the cause
is removed the effect cannot be cured. But, by all
means let US find the cause, let us make right
diagnosis, before attempt to apply a remedy;
otherwise the remedy may prove to be worse than
the disease.
lynching recommended by you, and that is shoot
first; in other words. the authorities should kill
the lynchers when they attempt lynching. VIII it
stop lynching? I hardly think it will If it is
claimed that the lynching of the guilty does not
prevent crime. how will the killing of the innocent
prevent lynching?
1t is argued by those who advocate the shooting
OF those who attempt lynching that principle and
the honor of city State. a nation. are involved
II is true that principles are fundamental, but
their application to conditions intricate and
plcated cases, alters according TO circumstances.
In other words the principle is changed to accom-
modate the conditions.
You also say In the same editorial: "a great
many are now beginning to talk sagely about the
laws delays and the need of severer penalties
viii prevent it? Surely not wholesale slaughter.
@ Al an events let US try mtder remedies before
vent one lynching when the Iynehers are killed
70 iynchlng while the cause that provokes it Is
But what is the cause? There is the rub We
may may differ honestly as TO the cause, but we all
agree that when the cause is found we must re;
Criminal through tecbnicaites and the niea M Of
insanity, are some Of the causes that lead to
Let US take the Wilmington lynching 1t is con-
ceded by every one concerned that all the lynch
ers demanded was speedy trial. that being re-
fused. the lynchng followed. Here the cause was
plain, plain and the remedy is obvious. namely: law
the public welfare demands the judges are en-
powered TO convene and hold court at any time
treatment should be accordingly.
One important cause Of lynching teing over
resOrted to-, and that is for assault on women
WY WY Is II Lhat rape, which IS not punlsnabe Dy
munity in which it was committed, SO that it re-
will not attempt Ivncning for any other crime in
Guiding murder? Does II not show that the com
qay to a tfS oSer pQnhmt of this crime
Right or wrong. the outraged community conSld-
ers Iynching a moral right, and until that law
will be framed that there. can be excuse
Tor It lynching in my mind cannot be stopped.
and the conditions must be regulated accordingly.
is the a Of yn6ng 10 5gufa for qPT pe W the
race question. believe that white man would
be lynched for the offence, and many white
culprits were lynched for the same crime all over
the world It is merely a coincidence that It so
negroes. And there is reason for II, but this
TnoRingg g5aI as proved by the Rev. e W CasvTeT
has become national evil; that In the last nine
been recorded occurring in nearly every State in
the Union. except Massachusetts. New Hampshire,
Rhode Island and Utah. Dr.. i. W. ZWISOHN.
New-York July 2, 1903