New-York tribune., 1906-08-18
NsULTED SOUTH CAROLINA.

Commenting few days ago on the Salisbury
lynching in North Carolina, The Columbia
State urged the people of North Carolina to
demonstrate their purpose TO put down lawless-
ness, saying:
It IS time for North Carolina to grapple with
the issue. We are confident that such a lynching
as this that occurred at Salisbury could not have
taken place in this state. South Carolina has
made lynching an uncomfortable pastime; il has
even been rendered dangerous. The simple rea-
son for this is that public sentiment in South
Carolina is opposed 10 lynching. What is the
state Of public sentiment in North Carolina? If
Il IS opposed to lynching a substitute for the
orderly procedure OF the courts, then il is time
that this public sentiment make itself felt
The mob IS not difficult TO manage when it dis
covers that the law and the officers Of the law,
reinforced by public sentiment are actually in
earnest
It is now time for South Carolina to grapple
with the issue, and we hope its conduct in
Furnishing the Iynchers at least will measure
up to the aspirations and the local pride Of this
able exponent Of the best sentiment of the
commonwealth. The mob at Greenwood did
what The State" thought South Caroiinians
would not do, and did It under conditions mani
Testing pecuhar contempt, not for the North,
not for The Negroes, not for traitors to their
own people," as some SOutherners are so fond
OF calling those OF their neighbors who revolt
against wrongs stealing for refuge under the
cloak OF ancient tradition, but for that SOW
and authority are among the fondest traditions
Of Southern life. That proud commonwealth
IS humbied IN the dust not at the feet OF any
allen eaemy, but before its own citizens. There
have been lynchiDgs in South Carolina before
DoW-Tece1EIy, 20 its credit be 1t said, less fire.
Quently than Of old. The public sentiment of
which ~Tae State speaks is substantial No
former lynching. however, was so cOnspicu-
ousiy an attack upon the state itself. The Gov
ernor OF South Carolina himself no carpetbag
O1hcial, 10 alien fnctionary, but native South
CarOlinian, ruling the state by the free choice
OF Its people. the representative Of its proud
sovereignty appealed TO the lynchers as their
friend and their Governor 10 respect the au-
Thority OF their state. They evidently regarded
him as thsiI friend They listened to him. they
cnsered him, and then they showed what poor
contemplate things they thought the institll-
tons and authority Of South Carolina were by
promptly committing the murder which he
asked them not 20 commit
IN North Carolina q determined effort IS being
rcaIe 70 punish the Salisbury lynchers South
Carolina cannot afford 90 fal! behind It has
ct sake tie reputation for civilization claimed
for It by a loyal press. Much more important
It hEs az stake the honor Of a commonwealth
whose geOpbs are extreme in their devotion
% it. The issue presented 20 the people is not
simply Ire murder Of q poor wretch, nor the
6eEanes OF law involved in every deed OF pub
&c disorder, but the insult offered 70 the Gov
esnOr OF South Carolina. his Office and the
state. We have often seen passion torn 20 tat
feEs OgeS supposed insults 20 the South and
Southern institutions. What VIII be done about
tbs 3ns1is7 If South Carolina lets IL go un-
punished, Il must have forgotten the old devO-
don 20 the IDEALS Of honor and self respect Of
which ft once boasted. What In particular are
the Governors Intentions? He saw and reoog-
mixed many gnenb2rs of the mob that refused 20