The San Francisco call., 1904-03-12
LYNcHING NOT SECTIONAL.

YNCHING, OF negroes for murder, is not
sectional between North and South N the
- South majority OF the victims are black, while
in the North majority white, but Northern com
munities enjoy lynchng negro much any in the
South. The mob in Ohio had all the characters
of mobs everywhere, but reported to have been
enthusiastically cheerful than such crowds usually
are The good shots at the victim were cheered and
there picnic air abroad that relieved the gloom
OF the proceeding This differs from the Southern way
Down there the shadow of solemn duty is over
lynching, and go to it grmly and without
smile. So it may be said that in the North lynching
is amusement and in the South ceremony.
1t is said that in the Ohio ynching there was
spirit of admonon to the officers of the law. While
is but little satisfaction the fellow who is lynched
to know that he is merely used of discipline
to in Office, perhaps that the motive OF the
mob. 1t said that many homcides have occurred in
that county recently and juries have been lax punish
ing the guilty. Under such circumstances would seem
effective TO hang few urymen Instead of this
being done, it is probable that members of the slack
uries in the mob, helping it do murder and
cheering the good shots.
Every lynchng produces crop of criticism of the
law and the courts If the matter is examined it will
be found that laxity lies with the juries They are
drawn from and represent the body of the people They
the representatives of the community the ad.
minisraton of the law and the sole judges of the
facts They always carefully selected, but no
sometimes relatives of the person trial get juries
and in in this State the who committed
the crime for which another trial was member
of the jury and succeeded in having the innocent man
acquitted 1t is plain that if critics of the will
look into in which justice fails they find juries
that is to say the people themselves blame
In the Ohio ynching appeared another matter for
serious reflection. The cheerful mob which murdered
the negro followed by ncendiary mob that was
not pleasure bent. 1t fred the negro quarter of the
and prevented the Fire Department from going
the until the confagraton had done its work
The for this act that the negro quarter was
the shelter of idleness. vice and crime.
That is a serious The Northern born and
raised is noted for his industry. thrift and
abiding spirit. Where negro quarters are found in
towns along the Ohio River and elsewhere in the North
they built up by negro immigrants from the South
If they community life there is raised
an issue that will not be decided by burning
the stake putting the torch to roofs that shelter
and children. 1t is issue that is OF interest
the North and South, and problem that they must
work out hand in hand This done by elevating
the negro the sshy sentimental sense in which
that is used but by making him wholesome factor
in the practical affairs of the country
Booker Washington this issue clearly, and as
clearly its solution which he is toling Teach
ing the calculus and the catechism will not bring light
into the negro quarters, North South Seeing the
effect of ideness the white youth of the North we
should know that neither ethics religion with
stand ideness Teaching the negro how to work and
make himself sought for his skill and his industry is
the only solution if there be any Booker Washington
is frank in stating the shortcomings of his race and
that is the main of his power When race
and its leaders conclude that it perfect and resent
caricature of its qualities and its foles there no hope
for that The professional negroes who attack
Washington and his gospel of work and clean living are
worse enemies OF the negro than the white men who
burn him at the stake Others should be encouraged
follow the example and take up the work of the
founder of Tuskegee An institution like it in Ohio may
make unnecessary the publication of negro quarters by
FIRE
Our missionary energies spent at long range.
We spend millions in China and Africa and keep our
Government embroied by interference with the civil
institutions OF other countries. Why should spend
millions every year in trying to solve problems and
mend morals and manners in other countries while we
have this problem hand home? If all the zeal that
is put into making few doubtful converts to Chris
tianity that they don't comprehend put into train
ing negro workers like Washington to go among their
the negro quarters of the North and the black
belts of the South teach the gospel of skill work
economy, property, cleanliness and decency are of
opinion that mankind would get benefit than is
gained in carrying the gospel abroad to people who
don't want it.