The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1904-04-23
Why THE DIFFERENCE?


times in behalf of law and order.
/ We have not hesitated TO oppose
lmob violence, even at the risk of
running counter to public senti-
ment and mourning the criticism
of the State Press. Indeed, it has
been very discouraging to US that
the papers of the State have con-
doned. if not endorsed, lynehings
and burning at the stake.
1t is to be hoped the statement
given out by Gov. Vardaman last
Saturday to the effect that, tho
the negro BALDWIN is not worth
fifty cents, he will, if necessary
spend every dollar at his command
to uphold the law and protect
him, will have a good influence
upon the lawless element of the
country. Gov. Vardaman has
manifested extraordinary enthu-
siasm in his effort to save this
negro. from the time he made the
midnight run with the state mill
tia to Batesville, February %.
The Standard has been prompt to
commend his acts in this affair.
But there is another fact which
we can not escape. A while before
this an infuriated mob was engag-
ed three or four days in hunting
down and burning the negro man
and his wife at Doddsville; while
the crime with which they were
charged was no more aggravating
than the murder of Conductor
Fogarty. Why was it that we
have no record of Gov. Varda-
mans making an effort to execute
the law in that cases And more
recently a negro was lynched at
Cleveland for the crime of mul-
der; and if the Governor ever
offered protest or reprof, we have
failed to hear of it.
For doing his duty in the case
of the Baldwin negro Gov. Varda-
man is heartily applauded through
out the State. With this we are
pleased. But there is another
question which appeals to thought
full minds: Why was it that Gov.
Longino was criticised and cen
sureu for doing the very thing
that Gov. Vardaman is lauded to
the skies for doing? Gov. Long
ino tried to execute the law in deal
ing with mobs-he was harshly
criticised and called in derision "a
negro lover Gov. Vardaman in
an effort to execute the same law
has cast about his head a halo of
glory. In behalf of justice we
ask, Why heap upon the one re-
proach and the other praise? For
the sake of justice, let US approve
alike the course of each when he
has discharged his duty fearlessly
and faithfully, and likewise hold
each to account for failure to
perform his duty.-Blue Noun
lain New Standard.
The Leader heartily indorses
the sentiments expressed above by
The Standard. The first convict
pardoned by Gov. Vardaman after
his induction into Office was ne
gro, and he has pardoned several
negroes since, doubtless having
good reasons for so doing, besides
making extraordinary efforts to
save the negro Baldwin from
mob on two occasions, and calling
out troops to save a negro mur-
derer at Meridian. But, as the
Standard points out, there is the
rankest inconsistency and injustice
on the part of those who condemn
ed Gov. Longino for just such
official acts as these, and now ap-
plaud Gov. Vardaman for the same
thing. IF we mistake not, notably
on the occasion of the Carroll
county lynching of an old negro
woman and her husband for sus-
pected completely in the murder
of a white man by their son,
Editor Vardaman severely as
sailed Gov. Longino and heaped
ridicule upon him for doing
practically what Gov. Vardaman
did in the Batesville and Merid-
ian cases.
It was such editorial utterances
as those referred to, repeated, in
part, on the stump, that caused
many who would otherwise have.
supported Major Vardaman for
Governor, to oppose him as an
unsafe man for that high office;
while multitudes who did support
him, did so because they endorsed
his utterances on the subject of
lynchings and believed that, as
Governor, he would close his eyes
and ears and give free rein to
Judge Lynch all over the State.
That both have been surprised
and disappointed in him, as Gov
ernor, in this respect, is matter
for sincere congratulation to
Mississippi and to the Governor
himself. He is right and pursuing
the safe course in adopting the
policy he criticised SO severely in
his honored predecessor, and If he
but perseyeres in the way he has
started out, will reduce the lynch
ing evil to the minimum.
Mr.. a. w. Williams, Of Crow
ley, La, was caller at this Office.
on Wednesday. Mr. Williams had
the sad duty to perform of bring
ing the body of bis father, Mr..
Thomas Williams, from Crowley,
where he died, and having it in
tered Gt Rnry4p fshifto xuharo tho