davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening journal., 1903-06-24
A Preacher Of L.ynehins.

From the New York Tribune.
The most disgraceful feature OF the
whole disgracefu lynching at Wilmington
was the lynching sermon Of the Rev. r. A.
Elwood. Of the Oliyet Presbyterian Church
of that city. That a minister OF the gospel
Of Christ should be SO lost to the meaning
Of his Masters teaching and so forgetful
Of his responsibility for reckless utter
ances IN the guse of religious instruction
as to apologize beforehand gor burning this
wretched murderer at the stake, and tell
the Mob that not they. but somebody else
would be morally responsible II they in
dulged their passion for blood almost
passes understanding. Not ON the judges
heads whore he sought to put n, but upon
his own head, is the blood so barbarously
shed by the populace who went out and did
the killing which he urged upon them from
"a Christian pulpit.
The Rev. Mr.. Elwood attempted to cx-
cuse his plea for the murder OF the negro
murderer by blaming the judges for not
ordering a special grand jury. THE judges.
however who knew their business better
than the hot headed and meddlesome
preacher, explain that under the law. with
the state of public excitement they would
nave htHn NnllHth 10 grant a tDulEc OF
venue, which might have made the cul-
prits escape impossible. The ordinary pro-
cedure was considered the most likely to
result IN the punishment OF the crime as il
deserved. This, too. the distracted father
saw, and he said: IF he can be legally
tried this month, by an means let justice
be swift; but If not, then let US wait calm
~ until tho law. I'm its majesty. may re-
move the vile wretch from society"
That was the spirit of the good citizen
and the good Christian. Was it good citi-
zonshp, was 81 Christianity. for the other
clergyman to display in the pulpit to mad
den people bloody relies OF a crime and
urge that he who perpetrated 10 should be
lynchcd since the orderly procedure was
too slow. Was ever act done in building
oonsecrated TO the religion of Jesus max
ing it more unclean and in need Of puri-
ldcauon than that. Murders have been com
mitted before affairs by villains who de.
filed the sacred spot for which they had
no reverence. But when has the priest in
the name OF Christianity given to his peo
pie the scent of blood and then told then
TO go from the altar with the thirst to Kill
Lynching AT best is bad The maddene,
crowi who dened the grief stricken fathe
and overpowcred the faithful jailer werl
a disgrace TO civilization. But the ministe
who urged them on was more than a dis
grace TO civilization. lie was disgrac
20 the holy religion ne professed to teach.
Evening journal., 1903-06-24
The Delaware LynehIna.
Prom tho Kew York Sun.

From the New York sun.
1t is said that until Monday night no-
body had ever beea lvL'hed in Della
ware. That night Ills reproach to The
glory OF Delaware was removed Tho
negro George Waite was hurned az ino
stake. Apparently he was not l..Ii' d
lated or dismcnl cred. ana the ai.ni-
button Of pieces oc i.m an souvenirs To
the 'scb was avoidal.
Ostensibly, White was burned tu
death to express the unpopular .indig
nation az the refusal of the Judge OF
the srncrlor Court 20 call special
session for his trial Really, hc was put
out Of the way because the "sugges-
ton as the hyuotists would say. the
germ OF lynching has spread to Della
ware. Here was a. "nigger" charged
with crime. Burn him. Each iynching
buys the rope or lights the fire FOR am
other one. The Drimeval savagery. the
thirst ana craze for blood. have been
stimulated by each new barbarity.
The passion for lynching. however
atrocious and horrible be the cause.
is disease. mania, "a symptom OF the
homicidal hysteria OF crowds. and il
shuld be stopped i'm the names of hu-
manity Justice and common sense.
Evening journal., 1903-06-24

gruesome scenes OF yesterday and still
advocate mob violence, that man has
need OF the restraining and compelling
force Of the law. This is no time for
mincing words, but a time for the bare
truth to stun men into a realization of
their position. It is true. then, that
pieces of a human being We're on ex-
hibition in public places, and other
pieces guaranteed to be genuine were
for salel This IS the outcome of mob
violence. Don't say that the better ele-
ments refused to countenance such
sickening details-any man who advo-
Gated mob violence is guilty of the full
train of atrocities that followed in the
wake OF the first move TO defy the law.
Evening journal., 1903-06-24
CAUGHT AT RANDOM

If you don't know the meaning Of
"euphemism," note the fact that the
insane department of New York hos-
pital has changed its name to the
"psychonathic ward"
Many persons who profess to have
sovereign hatred Of war and cruelty re-
gard our method OF celebrating the
Fourth with equanimitv. I'm sDite Of the
fact that incomplete statistics show
that last year thirty-one persons were
killed and 2,772 badly injured on the
glorious da-.
Have you any request TO make ?''
asked the Sheriff of the erstwhile So
ciety man who was to be hanged on
the morrow.
Yes, one" replied the condemned
man. Let me tie the moose myself.
never yet wore a ready-made tie"
Blood IS Thicker than water. but
thicker than blood. even. is the dough.
Evening journal., 1903-06-24
The Delaware Burning.
n De PhIladelnhln -.

From the Philadelphia Press.
The atrocious crime OF burning a human
bsing az the stake was committed on
Monday night within twenty-eight miles
Of Philadelphia II was done with all the
attendant horrors but with rather more
than the usual dellberatlon of a negro
burning in the cotton belt The legal Gus
todiars of the prisoner made some show OF
resistance and some Of the mob were
wounded but the guard of the jaM was in
sufficient and ineffective. the mob was large
armed and determined and, undeterred by
several volleys from the jail broke down
It's doors and bore away the terrified and
struggling victim to his DOOM
When we consider the offense of the
negro cruel as was his punishment. there
viii be no sympathy wasted on him. The
human brute who sacrifices to his lust the
hte ot an lnrocent young woman puts him
scf out of the pale of pity no matter how
horrible thc punishment that follows in
the wake of the crime. The worst of these
mob executions, especially burnlngs. is the
unclviizing influence it has on the par
tlcipants. Such an experience brings ont
all ,hc primitive savagery Of those engaged
90 soc = H'% btNtAA over Nle suWerlng9 of
their wretched victim. Like tigers. they
are excited by the blood they are shedding
and after the torture and orgy are over
the clothing and other mementocs of the
dead are eagerly seized upon as souvenirs
of a highly interesting occasion. An cpl
sode OF this kind degrades the mind and
corrupts the conscience OF all engaged in
ii, and leaves an indelible stain on the
community that permits it.
The excuse given for mob executions in
the sou.A is She delay and uncertainty Of
punishment by the law. In this Whining
ton case the guilt of the accused negro.
White was fully established But the
grand jury had adjourned and the judges
who could have reconvened il and Sc
cured the early trial. conviction ana pun
ishment of the prisoner under the power
and sanction of the law refused to take
that step. The terms work was ended, va
cation time was near and September, TO
their thinking was early enough TO try
this negro. To reconvene the Grand Jury
and hold a special term of court would be
a precedent they did not care to establish.
IL nigh; be pleaded in favor of prompt
justice in other cases. so they postponed
the White trial until fail.
Evening journal., 1903-06-24
ASSAULT AND DEFENSE.

The rioters who assembled at the
workhouse on Monday nisht ai.d bat
tered down the doors, took .hom lives
In their own hands. Had any one OF
them been shot, had the place been
cleared with rifles. the law would have
upheld the defenders. But they had or
ders not TO hre a s19t. and that being
true, OF course the assl was success
full The authorities even held "a ron-
sultation with the leaders OF the rioters
and gave them the information they dc-
sired. The trustees of The Workhuuse
the city authorities and the Governor Of
the State commend the police ANA
guards for their failure to resist, mas
much as Il would have meant blood
shed. II probably would. since mobs
are not usually euelled save by de-
termined and brave resistance.
IL we knew that this incident would
never be repeated, All might bc well:
but should rioter be locked 10 IN the
worlShouse tonight al that his friends
would have TO do would be to go out
and batter ia the doors ana take him
out A defense now by the guards in
volNmg the injury Of anyone would be
a crime, since the precedent OF non-re-
sisiance las been set.
But 1t is said that the mob had "a
large quantity Of dynamite which they
were prepared to use. This. at least. is
an evidence that the iioters were not
actuated by desire TO protect huinen
life. This shows that there was not
that lofty motive, that tenderness
which we have been told existed. The
worhhouse contained hundreds of hu-
man lives, prisoners, guards, tue war
den ana his family and the police. The
mob, inspired by lofty sentiments. was
prepared to blow All of them INTO eter-
nityl The rioters were told that il they
made an assault they would be arrest
ed But their reply in effect was: III
you modest us we win blow the place
up, and their threat was effective. The
result is that New Castle county has
no place where 1t can keep a prisoner
in security.
Evening journal., 1903-06-24
COMMENCEMENT At THE
HIGH SCHOOL TONIGHT
Eighty-hve Young Women
and Men Will Receive
Diplomas

The auditorium of the High School
will be crowded tonight with the
graduates and their friends who will
attend the annual commencement ex-
ercises. The hall win be effectively
decorated. and there will be inspiring
music and an interesting program viii
be given. II viii be as follows
Overture, Beauty and the Beast"
Chattaway
Philharmonic Orchestra.
Prayer. Rev. o. G. BuddingtOn.
ntermezzo (a) "Hiawatha". .... Morct
Cb) Sweet Remembrance
st. Clair
Grafton. "The Single Wedge"
Samuel Lowrie Hamilton.
Essay May Can, Must"
Written by Jeanette Adair Wilson
Read by Florence May Biddle.
Chorus. Away 20 the Meadows. Root
Presentation Of Prizes.
First honor prizes. "A. II. Berlin. a. NJ
Morning News prizes. Edgar NJ. Hopes
Alumni prizes ....... Harry =. Joslyr
Alumnae prize. Miss Elsie McDanie
Bishop Coleman Latin prizes,
The Right Rev. Leighton Coleman S
y. L., Ii. ID.
Medley, Popular Airs" .......... Smith
Essay. National Airs"
Written by Emma Eckman.
Read by Marion Marshall Kite.
Grafton Economy Of Time and
Money"
Written by Arthur Percival Tanberg
Delivered by John Philip Farnan.
Girls Chorus. Ave Maria. .......Abf
Address to the Graduates-Hon. JOIN
/. Kinsey Philadelphia.
Chorus Spring Song ......... .Pinsut
Conferring of Diplomas-Evan G
Shortlidge. M. D., President Of BoarC
Of Public Education.
Glass Song.
March, "Our Director" ........ Bigelov
Benediction. Bishop Leighton Coleman
The graduates are:
February Class.
Sarah May Bonhom. Lulu Berry
Boys, Elsie Dalton Bugless, Margare
Jane Dericzson, Emma Eckman. Ann'
Smyth Fell Martha Bovard Fisher
Mary Fisher. Agnes Virginia Forlum
Helen Rebecca Johnston. Nellie Dolo
rosa Kennedy. Marion Marshall Kite
Mabel Lee. Mary Elizabeth Lowe Ann;
Bertha McCaulley. Emily Chanc
Mitchell. Bessie May Moore. Ethel Ma.
/ Parsons. BESSIE Louise Rommel Helel
/ Simmons Tatnali. Agnes Cecilia Tray
nor. Harrie Alonzo Bell, Everett Cor
Evening journal., 1903-06-24
An Idle Maid.

They say / am an idle lass,
They frown upon me as they pass;
My. gown becomes me and It's new.-
The butterflies are idle tool
The world has need of butterflies
Elise why flft they i'm sparkling guise.
They bask in sunshine by the hour,
And ] rock IN my lilac bower.
With work and study far away,
What care for the words they say.
I wiz not teach, ] viii not sew,
or tend the lettuce down the row,
But dance. and sing ana pretty be,
And wait the Prince that comes for me.
Some day TN hear the Princes tread,
Hen stop beside my sweet rose bed,
He'll praise my checks, and praise m
hair.
And tell 10 me that I am fair.
And then in state with him 1ll go
TO where the crystal fountains flow;
ll dress in silks and linens fine.
With maids TO bring for us the Wine
But be he poor, with love for me
That shining In his eyes / see.
Then will keep his cottage trim.
AMI sew the seams. and bake for hin
Cora A. Matson-Doison. in July Nation,
Magazine.
Evening journal., 1903-06-24
Delaware's Disgrace.
New York World

From the New York World.
The CHASTITY lynching in Wilmington has
certain features that distinguish il from
the majority of such crimes. Lynchings OF
this peculiarly atrocious character usually
occur in small towns, in regions in which
negroes are especially numerous. In this
case the auto-da-fe was held in a city of
eighty thousand inhabitants, within twen-
ty-eight miles of Philadelphia and only
rs miles from New York, place, too, IN
which seven-eighths of the people are
white Moreover. the mob was spurre6 on
by the sermon OF a minister who exhibited
blood stained leaves In his pulpit, while
the family of the nogros victim appealed
for the law.
The officers seem TO have done their duty
but a heavy responsibility rests on tn,
court that refused 20 expediate the lega
punishment Of the horrible crime thai
drove the community TO madness. ln suci
a case as this the best way TO prevent
Evening journal., 1903-06-24
wednesday. June sa, 1908.
TwENTY.FouR HOURS LATER.

Il IS a bad mess. Many man who
counreled violence, ana who By careless
words encouraged the mob, has ears of
egret ahead of him. Those who as-
sumcd the leaucfshlp or who gloated
over some participation in the gruc-
some tragedy will wish TO forget il as
the years pass. The victim got Moth
Ing more than ne deserved. but Nhat has
this community gotten? A tarnlshed
name a reputation for disorder. an in
creased spirit OF lawlessness. And il
was SO unnecessary. Had the nend
been tried and acquitted there would
have been some excuse. But there wac
not The slightest ground for the be-
liof that he would escape punishment.
The count proposed 10 try him under
due form OF law. ane naturally did not
imagine that the people would resort to
violence
One OF the trustees oc the workhouse
declares that the mob was composed OF
representative citizens; if so, God pity
us. II these lynchers stand for that
sentiment which is representative OF
Wilmington. then we need to save an
the pennies which the children con-
tribute TO the foreign mission fund and
use them right here in Wilmington.
There Is a streak Of savagery which
the human animal tries to conceal.
which, with little encouragement.
comes to the surface. It is this streak
that has been uppermost in Whining
ton and its vicinity for the last twen-
ty-four hours.
Men who have been taught the truths
OF christianity and who are presumed
TO have the instincts that belong TO
human beings have clawed over the
cinders for trophies and relics, And
these they have exhibited with all the
pride Of a child over new toy. Are
these the sentiments that have been
inspired by a reverence Tor the sanctty
of womanhood and a reprohation OF
crime? Is there woman who rejoices
that her husband father or son helped
TO execute the vengeance of the mob?
Does any wife feel that participation
in this spectacle has shown her hus-
bands devotion and tenderness for her?
Would amy young woman want to en-
trust hes life to one who had set fire
to the fagols? This is not Christianity.
it is not the better part Of human ma
ture. it is letting out Of the primi-
tive instincts of savagery
These words may appear harsh, but
our people must be brought instantly
to "a realization of the truth. The
lynching was scarcely over ere the most
lawless element was looking FOR new
victims Many proposed "A trip TO Do
yer TO lynch the negro accused Of at
tempting an outrage near that town
recently Let that spirit go unchecked
for few days and we should have q
miniature French revolution. The At
torncs General has a serious response
bnity. and unless we want anarchy we
must support him ia his cnor,s TO pun-
ish the'ring -lcadera Of lhis riot
Evening journal., 1903-06-24
"The Maieatv Of the Ia,., y

From Philadelphia Evening 1clegraph.
The Gospel D. fate, Cowardiee ana
Brutality, as preached by the Rev. ROD
ert A. Elwood pastor Of the CIn et
Presbyterian Church oi Wl'mingtnu.
has borne abundant f. cit. ana tnis
champion Of practical anarchy has
seen "the majesty OF the law upheld
more speedily ana more effectively lhan
he ANTICIPATED. Rich as The English
tongue is IN harsh bitter wo IDS. il is diff
hcult to find language which fifty char
acterizes the midnight orgy. OF crime on
the outskirts of the city OF Whining
ton and it is not wo-th while 90 make
the abortive attemD,. The rergesen-
tatives Of the law made pretonse, at
least, of trying TO prevent the subver-
sion of the established institutions Of
Christianity, civilization and social or
dor but the accounts or the conflict
with the mob, and especially the trining
execution done by the snots on the arm
ed guards of the workhouse, Indicate
that their hearts We're not I'm their
work, or that they were craven hearts,
which IS cutie as bac.
Evening journal., 1903-06-24
The pelaware Lynehina.

From the Philadelphia Record.
Delaware las been disgraced by a lynch
ing for which there is absolutely no ex-
cuse. There was no excuse for the attempt
TO ynch, and no excuse whatever for the
failure 10 defeat that attempt. The negro
charged with a shocking crime was in GUS
tody No. negrb who has been captured
and is accused of such crime Is in the
least likely to escape punishment. II is in
nnitely more likely that an innocent man
would be condemned than that q guilty
one would be acquitted. This man was in
the Lands of the law. and justice was
certain to be done. The lynching was a
wanton piece OF barbarity. proved so by
its method. A dangerous animal may be
shot on sight. but only savage passicI
for the innictlon of torture will account
for the burning.
The county workhouse where White wa.
confined, IS a strong building. It coulc
easily have been held against mob. FIFTY
policemen and guards were in IL. and the,
offered no substantial defense. A dispatch
says that they decided not to resist thl
mob with any show of strength for feai
of causing "a general massacre" The,
should be severely punished for refusing
TO do their duty and protect the authorit,
of The law and the majesty of the state
The Governor had ample notice tina
lynching would be attempted. He Nigh
have had regiment OF the Natona
Guard on hand. Several Southern Cover
nors have ordered out troops on much les
warning than Governor HUM had. He wa
culpably negligent. The state of Delawar
is on trial, and II must punish the leader
of he mob ana the officials who failed &
uphold the law.
Evening journal., 1903-06-24

Rev. DR.. J. NJ. Ludlow, noted Presby-
terian preacher and writer: Let us have
a law as soon as possible that will render
swift justice to every assailant of wo-
manhood
"The lynching at Wilmington has
shown us what is demanded. We cannot
have it any too soon.
This was an infamous crime, enough
to provoke mobs in the North.
81 am of the opinion that the mob's
work could have been prevented by a
speedy justice that would have given the
murderer what his crime deserved
Il have no sympathy with the mob
that has cast such a blot on our civiliza-
ton.
There was just one ray of Christian
ity in the entire affair, and that the adj
mirable resignation of the father of the
child. He was willing to let the law take
its course, willing to wait months,
though it must have been 4 trying wait.
Why, then. should the mob take the law
in its hands?
AS for the minister that preached
that sermon, he is TO be pitied. 1t was
certainly the height of imprudence No
doubt he, too, was fred to the heart with
revolt against such a dastardly act. but
he was there as a leader and should have
been wiser
Mrs Russell Sage, wife of the famous
Evening journal., 1903-06-24

nell Britton. Albert Massey Comegy
Bernard Joseph Dougherty. Lusi
West Greenwood. Samuel Lowrie Ham
ilton. Joseph Kramer Kates. EdwI
Hall Marks. Richard Conwcn ShouI
George Jackson Stevens. George EdgI
Warren.
June Class.
Nellie Hurst Austin. Mary Elizabet
Baer, Florence May Biddle, Ett
Cooper Boulden. Mary Howard Brad
kin, Susie W. Brackin. Nancy Liuia
Brown. Estker Mary Christian, aial
tina Augusta Dunn. Carrie Hittngl
Eaton. Elizabeth lola Egan. Mabel ind
Frederick. Grace Anne Hardin. lrer
Stiegel HenlIel. Clara Cecilia Kolbu
Anna Frances McCloskey. Edith Wood
ward Mcdaniel. Susan b. McMulleI
Ethel Laura Neave. Irene Pierce. Mad
Ratledge. Amy Marie Rile. Nathai
Robinson. Ada May Rosin. Louis Roi
inson Scott. Rebecca II. Sparks, Loui.
NJ. Sparks. Louise Hungerford TatnaI
Sara Richardson Tatnall. JosephiI
Marie Tomany, Helen Elizabeth YaI
dever, Anna Pearce Vernon, Jeanneu
@AN''tt' w 'i''ii' A@t'iil'i'i tA'tNA@S'tti l'ti
son,Osmore Wheeler Buddington.JamI
Norman CraiG, Herbert Blaine Chan
bers, George Roy Eaton, John Phil
Farnan. James Stanislaus Grant. wi
liam Thomas Homewood. John FRANC
Horty. Herbert Spratt Lilley. jam
Clifford Mecannon, Charles Edgar MI
Carroll. Francis Xavier Mooney Jes
Israel Rolph. Walter Rossiter Rohi
son. Frank Roop smith, Jr, Thorn
Argyle Souder. Arthur Percival Tai
berg, Francis Philip Traynor.
Evening journal., 1903-06-24

lynchlngs is to forestall them by summary
trial and the legal innicuon of the death
penalty IN the shortest possible time.
What is needed is an approach to the
ctlerty and certainty of a court-martial
Evening journal., 1903-06-24
Rishop Mecahe Coming.

Bishop McCabes Bright Side
Life in Libby Prison is one OF
most thrilling and interesting lecu
on tho American platform. All shot
hear it."-Rev. Robert Watt.
Hear this lecture at st. Pan
Church. Friday evening, June 26.
Evening journal., 1903-06-24

Rev. Father NJ. j. Lavelle. rector of \
Patrick's Cathedral: 1T was a detel
able crime. The father has nv svmIi
thy. He proved himself thorou
Christian in trying to stay the mob.
This lynching is blot on our ciyi
zation that is TO be regretted. Undoul
edly the law is slow-too slow in su
cases-but We cannot expect the mass
of the foreign element who flock To b
shores TO respect the laws if our oJ
people take it in .hcir hands.
81 have no sympathy with this l,ll
law, and the sooner it is crushed ont id
ever the better for our country"
BY Judge j. w. Bookwaltcr. of OhiI
The americans are the only people ~
BURN their victims. That is the poll
of particularly horrible significance
me in the recent lynchings on NorthQl
soil.
81 am astonishcd at the brutality
our nation when il is aroused. No md
ter what other barbarous cruelties n
civilized nations may resort to. they
not burn people. Lynchings and killinl
by mobs of excited people are not M
known in many countries. Our natid
however, seems to carry TO terriH
lengths its desire to do something med
and novel. II become. tiendish."
Rev. Dr. Reginald Campbell. the cell
brated London preacher: Il should hal
to think. even for moment, what
would have done had my daughter bed
the victim of such an inhuman crime.
is too bad, too bad.
81 admire the Christian manhood id
played by the father of the girl.
There are some crimes that profol
all the inhuman that is in man. al
this is one of them. Still, | cannot ID
derstand mob violence.
Lynch law is practically unknown
us abroad. 1t seems bit barbarcl
where there are equitable laws to punii
such a crime, even to the satisfaction
the most bitter-minded.
no more can J account for the teacl
ing of this minister of the gospel
does seem decidedly unwise and mli
coming a minister 20 preach a lynch Id
doctrine from his pulpit. But. on n
other hand, one must weigh such inn
dents i'm the American scale. not in
English one. So that, after all. my opl
ions may not be so valuable as u
choose to think.
"All summed mp. it was a heartless i
fair, and the law should have been IA
mitted TO take its course. No law, hol
ever. could bring Justice too swift in sud
case
Evening journal., 1903-06-24

During the Hood everything 81
damaged in Kansas City but the X;
sas CITY Platform which was alrea
high and dry.