Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-07-15
AN EPIDEMIC OF LYNcHING.

Lynching. like some forms of dis
ease, is having a run. The epidemic
is not confined to any particular Sec
ton of the country, a fact which
gives good cause for the greatest
alarm. and most serious thought by
all law-abiding citizens.
A majority of the lynchings that
have taken place in the past few
months were the result of race ha-
tired, the negro being the particular
object of the white mans wrath. The
south having set the example of sum-
mary vengeance upon the black man
for his wrong-doing. with a total dis
regard for his rights and the majesty
of the law, the epidemic has spread
to the northern states.
Following closely upon the lynching
of a negro at Belleville, Illinois, came
the d~isgraceful scene at Wilmington,
Delaware. Hardly had all the details
of the mob's work been given to the
public before Judge Lynch convened
court at Evansville, Indiana. That
his decree was not swiftly carried out
and a negro hung or burned at the
stake was owing to a determined
sheriff's posse and a company of state
militia.
While no one will think for a mo-
ment of c~ondoning or apologizing for
the crimes of these negroes, yet every
good citizen who has respect for law
and orderly government will deplore
the growing tendency OF mob rule. In
every case these negro offenders de-
served the death penalty or a life
sentence, according to the laws of the
states in which the crimes were com.
mitted, and there was no reason to
believe that after a fair trial justice
would not have been melted out to
them. Have the mobs accomplished
anything more?
After enduring every manner OF in
suit and some personal injury for
twenty-four hours and when the jail
was about to be assaulted those on
guard at Evansville were ordered to
fire upon the mob. II had a most sal
utary effect. The majority compos
ing a mob is always cowardly; only
a few leaders possess courage. There
was a scurrying to get away from
the danger and the mob never re
formed to carry out its purpose.
There may be some question as tt
which fired the first shot. There al
ways Is in such cases. 1t is imma
terial. The fact that the mob refus
ed to dispurse was a challenge to the
officers of the law and a breach o
the peace. If there Is any criticism
to be made it is in dilatory ratheI
than in hasty action.
The example set by the authorities
at Evansville should have a whole
some effect. If followed rigidly Their
would be fewer lynchings.
In its hot-headed haste and disre
gard for law the mob is directly re
sponsible for the death OF a dozel
people and the wounding of twice tina
number.
II lynching had any deterrent effec
upon the commission of crime at leas
a little excuse might be found for II
But this can hardly be claimed II
the light of recent events. Those az
ologists for lynchings, a few OF WHOM
pollute the pulpit, cannot escape thel
responsibility or take comfort out 0
the most recent attempt of the mo
/ to usurp the power that belongs {
the courts.
The race problem in mis- countr
can never be settled by brutal metz
DDS. One wrong does not justify al
other. II often occurs that men wh
compose a mob are but little bette
than the victim whose life they ar
seeking.
This epidemic will not last. 1t ha
often beer said that the quickest wa
to eradicate an evil is to give 1t III
sway for a period. License breed
a vigorous resistance and that is a