Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-03-24
FEAR RACE WAR.


out of the lyncbing Of the uegr" John
son by mob Monday night few hours
after the United States Supreme Court
J had granted a stay of execution OF The
death sentence passed by a Stale court
assumed sericus aspect yesterday when
telegrams were received by Presldent
Roosevelt, members Of the Supreme
Court aud Attorney General Moody from
a number Of the most prominent and
conservative citizens Of Chattanooga ask
ing that the government leave the sliua-
ton 10 Chattanooga for the local aulhOri-
ties to deal with, explaining that for the
federal authorities to take hand IN The
matter at this time would, in view OF
the present disturbed condition, result
in northng short Of grave race war.
The messages were carefully considered
at the Cabinet meeting yesterday, and
while the force of the argument was ap-
preciated by the President and his OIL
cial advisers, nothing could be deter
mined until the Supreme Court justices
could be consulted.
Mr.. Moody consulted with Justice
HARLAN and other members Of the court
Yesterday afternoon in regard to the mes
sages from Chattanooga, and II is the
understanding that the justices would
not agree 70 leave the matter of punish
ment of the local officials and members
of the mob 10 the local authorities.
The messages offered assurances to the
authorities in Washington that the law
respecting people of Chattanooga not
only did not approve the lynching OF the
condemned negro, but that they believed
proper precautions were not taken by the
sheriff and bis assistants to save the
negros life, and they further believe
that the members of the mob and Sheriff
Shipp should be severely punished. They
assured the government officials that the
sheriff and the participants in the lynch
ing would be adequately punished
Ia the meantime, District Attorney
Penlaud, his assistants, number OF
deputies and secret.service men are in
Chattano, ga, and unless orders to the
contrary are sent arrests ia the case are
expected soon.
1t is not believed in Washington that
the programme already mapped Quito
arrest Sheriff Shipp, who had the negro
| in custody at the time he was lynch
ed, aud possibly other local officials and
members of the mob, if possible, on Il
charge of contempt OF the Supreme Court
will be carried out. The members OF
the Supreme Court seem determined
| that all parties concerned in the lynch
ing of johnson shall be punished either
by the court itself or the federal govern
ment.
The Department of Justice had been
\ in tele ,raphic communication throughout
the day with District Attorney Penland,
and, it is stated, they have sufficient evil
dence to warrant the arrest Of Sheriff
Shipp, il 20 others.
A Chattanooga man who arrived in
Washington Yesterday direct from home
said:
"F0r the past four months taere have
been several cases where negro men as
ssuIted white women OF the biggest moral
standing in Chattanooga, the treatment
received by the victim in every case
being most brutal. YOa can imagine
the feeling that exists in Chattanooga as
result Of these Outrages. The large
majority of the citizens OF Chattanooga
are law-abiding and absolutely disap-
prove of lynch law or any other form
| of lawlessDess, and we feel that the men,
bers of the mob that lynched Johnson
and :he officials who did not prevent toe
| lynching should be punished, and they
| will be if the federal authorities will
| let the local courts handle the case. But
there are about rs, 600 negroes in and
around Chattanooga. When any OF the
officials concerned in the case or mem
bers of the mob that lyuched the negro
are arrested by federal authorities the
msiority Of the negroes will misconstrut
the action of lhs government, aud as
result a race war Of grave proportions
| will be, in my opinion, inevitable.