The Savannah morning news., 1903-08-19
LYNCHING LEGALIGED.
Rev. Mr., A. NJ. williams Makes His
Position Clever.

Rev. Mr., A. NJ. williams Makes His
Position Clever.
+ Editor Morning News: In your is
hue this morning you discuss editorial
4 my suggested treatment of the lynch
Aproblem. I do not desire to enter into
Controversy, but wish to get my
Thought clearer before the public.
The evils Of lynching are the promo
4 hon of a lawless spirit, it's extension
10 other crimes, and its ultimate use
ks form of persecution of good peo-
4 lie against whom prejudice may arise.
The only defense Of lynching is the
gnormity of the crime in which It Is
Usually invoked. There is a kind of
kndistributed midG<e term in which
this problem has put itself. 1t has
hong been my opinion that the true
kolicy in treating this question is to
meet this confusion of thought and
promote law by a discrimination in
bis treatment.
There is one thing perfectly sure, the
crime of rape is segregated in the pub
Bic mind from all other crimes. The
people are not disposed to cultivate
the extremely metaphysical states of
mind Of the learned divines, lawyers,
EDITORS and Dublicists who in the Sc
Eenty of elegant studios PROFOUND the
|ought-to- of human nature. Public
sentiment is we'll fixed on this matter.
I've are not called on to defend the
tact true craftsmanship must recognize
n as il is and seek to adapt remedy to
! The condition.
What are these facts? A crime so
bow, mean, dangerous as to remove
sthe guilty out of shunaan r categoFiesi
land reduce TO that of the brute. A
crime that forfeits all claims to civili-
|Eation and therefore its usual pro-
'cesses. The mad dog and enraged IL
'ger are higher types of animal being.
'The very discussion of lynching re-
moves the emphasis from condemna-
hon of this vilest act, possible on our
sarth, and helps the Understanding
brute to feel partially justified in his
Heed. I insist that the nature OF the
brine renders IL impossible to be clas-
kifed with the other violations of right.
The feeling excited in the commun-
Ety where such deeds are done is the
natural outburst of indignation that is
IA divlneIy implanted element OF SELF
and self-protection. AS
soon call the rush of blood to the part
|stung by a poisoned asp disease as to
|call this just emotion OF an outraged
people mob madness"
Now, the engineer seeks 20 follow
THE configuration of the surface When
he undertakes a drainage system. 1t
lis wise for the statesman to seek some
natural vent for this righteous indig-
'nation against brutal crime.
The recognition of these principles
land the application of punishment TO
this crime is what 1 sought in my
'sermon of Sunday night. l believe II
rs dullness to insist on unvarying forms
and processes in all kinds of cases. My
'uggestion was that the simplest man
|ner of dealing with this case was to
,segrelyate rape and legalize lynching
To- that crinIe alone. l recognized the
Hanger of Identification, and suggested
new kind of court, composed OF PLAIN
Citizens, authorized to act ON the spot
and at once, but required TO report its
acts to the regular Superior Court at
It's next term.
The advantages of segregating rape
and employing simpler, more direct
processes are threefold.
First. Concentration of public opfn-
ion against general lynching. Recog-
milton in law of the differences in crime
will clarity the question and permit an
appeal to a universal regard for law.
Second. II will provide for legal
as we'll as natural vent of whole
some Indignation, thereby removing a
stigma OF lawlessness from good men,
who have either participated in the
punishment of the rapist or sympa-
thized with it.
Third. 1t will advertise to the world
That this crime is uncivihzed, inhuman
and those who commit it are removed
beyond the pale of civilization. with
lts highly diversified ramifications and
ebstrustities.
My position is a simple word plead
ing for a treatment of this question
under the real conditions that sur
round it, without continuing the trite
olatribes against 1t and reiteration
Of legalistic theories. The dilemma
which confronts US is lawleSs lynching,
Spreading over an increasing number
Of offenses, or the lawful punishment
brutal crime, under newly adopted
lorms, Joined with an increased and
united condemnation Of all lawlessness.