The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-08-26

Atlanta. August 25.-On his return
N. Terrell held a conference with
sampson W. Han rfngton, adjutant
general % Georgia. in which the re-
cent Statesboro lyrching was discuss
ed. The conference terminated with
the appointment of q court Of inquiry
to Investigate the CONDUCT of the militia
from which the moo took the prison.
ers.
The court is composed Of Colonel A.
r. Lawton, retired Of Savannah, pres
ident; Colonel w. E. Wooten. Of Alba
my; Lieutenant Colonel w. w. Barker
of Atlanta; Major R L. WHY, Of
~Thomasville; and Captain Warren.
Grice, Of Hawkinsville.
After the appointment Of this court.
Governor Terrell issued the following
statement:
Il was greatly surprised and noe
ed over the S~tatesboro occurrence. I
had been advised of the necessity of
sending to Sttesboro during trial of.
the murderers of the Hodges family a
military guard for the Preservation OIL
peace and order, which 1 did. Before
my departure for st. Louis 1 was IN.
formed that the trial was proceeding
orderly and that nowhere was there
any evidence whatever of an inten-
ton on part of those present to inter
fere with the regular administration
of justice. The judge, the sheriff and
the commanding officer. all reported
that quiet and order had marked the
proceedings and that no outbreak was
in the least apprehended.
II felt greatly relieved over the sit
uation and left the state for ST. Louis
on official business connected with tn.
Georgia exhibits. I was proud to know
that the people of Bullock and sur
rounding counties were just and brave
enough to give to h wretches. though
guilty. of robbery, arson and many
times murdererS, a fax and impartial
trial, and let the law take it's natural
and orderly course. I was therefore
not prepared to believe as true the
news that / receivd en- route, of the
action of the mob, so horribly revolt
ing and s:ckening in it's details.
II have been greatly mortified over
the crime Of this mob. I take comfert
in the fact that it did not represent
the sentiment of this state, for it's ac-
ton is condemned by a large majority
OF the people of the state and as for
that matter of S~tatesboro and Buliick
l~county, he scene Of the crime. NJ
defense an, and no apology should be.
made for this action vf the mob. IT
should be denounced by law abiding
citizens everywhere. The wretches
whose lives We're taken deserved
death, yet it is unqustionably true that
no man who ook part in the, homides
had the right to infict it. The crime
against these negroes is of but small
Importance compared with the great
crime against the law. The law has
been whipped, overcome and troiden
under foot by the mob. The neg-3es
may not have deserved better, but
surely the law did.
Il regret exceedingly the militay did
not preserve the peace. They Were
sent there to see that the law was ell
forced and that peace vas preserved
at all hazard. They represented, with
the civil authorities. the majesty OF
1.-the law and when the civil and mill
tary authorities failed to enforce the
law, whether or not 1t was their fault
an dthe mob succeeded and there mas
a triumph of 1awlessness over law. 1
| do not censure either In the absence OF
a thorough investigation.
I'm accordance with the report and
Recommendation of the adjutant gem
era1, I have ordered a. court Of inqui-
Try, composed Of fair. conservative n
competent officers to investigate the
action and conduct of the military on
THAT occasion. l shall request the civil
! authorities, the court 50 outraged, 10
| do its utmost to bring the offenders
lagainst its dignity and h majesty Of
| the law to speedy and swift justice"
| The court of inquiry Will onyen
on Thursday at Savannah.