Evening journal., 1903-08-14
IupoE LoRE ON LYNcHINes.

JUDGE LORE ON LYNcHlNGs.
Every reader of the Evening Jour
nal should carefully preserve today's
copy for future reference, because IL
contains the full text OF the speech Of
Chief Justice Lore at Chautauqua, on
the subject OF lynchngs. It is a
thoughtful. earnest and exhaustive
paper and leaves very little on the
subject to be said There are many
who viii doubtless refuse to accept
every conclusion. but unless the doc
trine which is laid down by Judge Lore
is maintained. our republican institu-
tions are a mere rope OF sand which
must some day orumble away. Whether
we like this doctrine or not. we must
accept it. for its logic is absolute.
Among the numerous excellent points
the judge makes is that the effect Of
participation in a lynching is 10 de-
grade the individual and to blunt his
sensibilities. We can do no better
than to quote his words
Mob law saps the moral fibre Of
every participant in the lawless act,
and puts The most respectable Of the
mob on the same moral level as the
most degraded For once they join
hands. Both clothe themselves with
the garment OF crime. The most bru-
tai and desperate naturally take the
lead the respectable men follow such
leaders. Lawlessness breeds crime,
and when respectfully and crime lie
down together respectfully wallows
in the mire. The man who violates
law IN any case, finds II easy TO add
other violations TO the last. He readily
finds plausible excuses FOR his viol-
ence, until the time comes when he
needs no excuse at alh The practice
becomes a habit, and breaks down
every barrier against vice. No self
respecting man can be an active par
ticipant in mob violence against law
order and decency and retain his
moral integrity. Every such act leaves
scar. and a blot that lifetime viii
not remove. He can never forget that
he once Joined "a cowardly mob I'm doing
q cowardly act, that he as an individ-
ual and alone he would not dare un-
dertake. Under cover of the multitude
IL
other disguise he has become a frac-
tional murderer. without the courage
to become a whole murderer. In other
words a coward in his crime. Such
a man dare not stand forth i'm a court
of justice and avow his participation II
the crime and let the law take its just
course: and usually when arrested h'
puts in a plea OF am alibi."
II Judge Lore's opinion is sound
then mob leaders and participants ar
not the brave men that they have beer
supposed to be, but they have streal
OF savagery joined with cowardice
There is truth in It, too. The relianc
is In numbers. the feeling being tina
the identity OF the individual is swal
lowed up in the mass. We do no
read when an outrage is committed O
one citizen feeling that justice wi
fail. going alone to avenge the Grim
Judge Lore draws strong indict
ment against all who participate &
Iynchings, and we think Il will stan
any test Of logic or patriotism. II
insists on a resolute enforcement OF N
law at all times ana pays pfop'
tribute to the Delaware judiciary. 81
were we to attempt 10 criticize h
speech we should call attention
nothing that he has said but possib
to an omission. He has not told
any attempt to enforce the law whi'
was so shamelessly defied in our r
cent lynching. and he has failed
place the responsibility. Had he co
cred this point his speech would ha
been complete. AS it stands, tho
who took the law into their own han
appear to have the negative approx
for their act of the authorities, a
under his own logic, this means the e
couragement Of such crimes in
future.