The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-08-29
Perplexing Conditions.

The frequent assaults on women ana tne
lynch1ngs which quickly follow present a la
mentable state OF affairs.
Nearly every BODY has tried To account for
lynchipgs, and q whole lot Of newspapers
p have denounced the Iynchers in unmeasured
terms.
II anybody has denounced the crime OF as
sault, We do not now recollecL the fsct.
II there il spot Of ground on all This gloDe
where the Christian civilization prevails
where the crime of assault is not visited ~lIh
speedy death, we are not informed OF the fact
II there has been negro preacher VINO has
warned the young men OF his race agalnsl
the crime OF laying violent hands upon wo-
men his name has not been published In the
newspapers, or we have forgotten the fact.
This newspaper IL impressed with the be-
lief that the frequent denunciations OF ~ ynch'
ines, with never word OF censure Tor as
sault, has created in The minds OF al least
portion of the negroes, a belief that tne
assailants have in some way been defended
or have defenders.
The crime of assault having received 30 lit
tie attention from some OF the newspapers
which 30 madly denounce their fellow -citi-
zens for defending their households, has, ID
our opinion, created in the minds OF negroes
an idea they aud the officers OF the law DO
not to look with horror upon the crime Of as
sault.
That there is race prejudice on both sides is
not to be successfully denied. That there 1s
number OF white men who bate negroes WILL
be admitted. That there are negroes who
have little or no respect for some white men
is true.
These people In their lack of discretion may
bring about trouble at any time, and espec-
tally at this time when there is 30 many as
saults and SO many lynchings, and when no
woman ls safe out OF the sight OF her natural
) protectors.
As to those who have such holy horror OF
lynching:
The crime OF ynohing will stop at any mo.
ment when negro men cease to invite 1t.
The denunciation OF good people who de-
fend their own families is both foolish and
wicked-foolish because 1t is wrong. and
wicked because it may encourage assaulters
to believe that they have able and Influential
apologists or defenders.
When q man is ready to declare that he
would not defend his freside, and that II he
saw q brute assault his daughter he would
run OF after the sheriff. then we might be-
neve that man is telling the truth when he
condemns lynchers. This editor does not
believe that there is an editor in this State
who would not strike down an assailant In
attacking his wife or daughter, and therefore
we believe that those who denounce their
lneighbors for acting in self-defeDce are neith-
or sincere nor uttering their true sentiment.
The man who condones the crime Of assault
while bitterly denouncing the mob would
deny ones natural right and legal author
tty to self-defence.
The columns Of denunciation that have ap-
peared in the newspapers is unjust 10 this
people, and may create wrong impression
upon the minds OF the negroes at home, as
well as upon readers outside of the State. The
people OF this State are just as honorable and
just as sure to defend their families as are the
people OF any other State. And 1t 10 useless
for any newspaper to try to create other i'm.
preston.
This newspaper hopes that neither race
may precipitate trouble Let the negro men
ease to lay violent hands upon our women.
2 Let all men know that such men will be
Z lynched as soon ss caught. And negro preach.
ers, as we'll as such newspapers as think that
negroes may commit assault and escape the
penalty, speak plainly TO erriDg negroes.
1t Ii idle TO denounce lynching. 1t is sinful
and wicked TO inspire assailants with the
hope that either newspapers or governors
may enable them to escape the lust penalty
of an outraged and justly lncensed people
Negro preachers who neglect to warn their
young men or encourage the hope in them
that they escape the certain penalty are
dereliet in their duty. Newspapers and
governors who may encourage criminals
TO hope for deferred punishment, or posi-
BILE escape for their crimes, are not just and |
true to the best interests OF either race.