Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-11-27
Chr atnrkrillr enquirer.
Entered at the Postoffice in YorkVille
as Mail Matter of the Second Class
YORKVILLE. S. c.:
FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 27, 1908.

THE Anderson Mail, whose sincerity
we hold in the highest respect, and
whose Judgment generally meets with
our approval, insists upon discussing
the terribly perplexing question as to
the best way of disposing of Offenders
who commit the nameless crime. 1t
thinks that the military ought not to
have been called upon to guard the
Spartanburg jail, and is rather disposed
to sympathize with the soldiers who
refused to muster to orders. Although
we confess that this is q very unpleas-
ant question, we do not feel warranted
in trying to dodge it. The thing, how
ever, is not TO be decided by mans
feelings, what he would or would not
do, or would like TO do, under certain
circumstances. The question is broad
er and deeper than that. OF course,
where a neighbor or even a few indl-
viduals see proper 10 perpetrate
lynching for this crime, there Is not
likely to be much objection. Protest
arises only in case Of grave doubt as
to whether the lynching was justified
by the facts. But while this is the
truth, we would not be understood as
claiming that it is best. Our view as
to what should be done is different
from what we, ourselves would be
strongly tempted to do, and which we
probably would do. But of this TACT
we feel convinced, that if this country
would attain the highest and best
progress in civilization, it must make
the laws of the land absolutely su-
preme, subject only to the revealed law
Of Almighty God. The enforcement OF
law is not perfect in Germany, Eng
land or France; but it is far better
than in this country, and this crime
is seldom heard Of in any Of those
countries. We have seen lynchiqg for
this crime almost since the war, and
every negro In the land as we'll as
every white man knows the penalty;
but lynching does not seem to nave
had a great deal Of effect in the d.
rection desired. On the other hand,
crime owes it's prevalence more to our
fragrant failure to enforce our laws
than to any other cause. 1t is fact
we'll understood by all men of average
intelligence that where law is estab-
lished in ell the majesty that should
belong to it, SO far as human endeaVor
can so establish it, it becomes the most
powerful agency on earth for good-the|
guiding protector and benefactor Of
those who would do right-and a ter
ror greater than lynehing to those,
who would do evil. Now, recurring 70
the Spartanburg case and the justif1-
cation of the soldiers who refused to
obey orders. AS to the soldier we
merely have to say that it is his duty
to obey. 1t is not matter of fine spun
theory; but Of fact. A soldier has
no right even to think Of the right or
wrong of questions like this, or any
other question involving obedience to
orders. But the real point in this ques-
tion is beautifully illustrated in the
attitude and conduct o. Sheriff Mich
oils. With what is known about this
man as a Confederate soldier and as
an officer, no man would think of
charging that ne does not measure up
to the highest standard OF Christian
manhood. We venture that If, as prt-
vate citizen. he could have gotten his
hands on that Spartanburg beast the
morning of the crime, he would have
killed him as a snake. But when he
took that negro into custody as an
officer of the law, it was a different
matter. The life of the negro did not
enter into the proposition at all. 1t
was the sacred majesty of the law for
which Sheriff Nichols stood, and for
this he showed his willingness TO sac
rifice his life. When the administra-
ton of Justice shall have been estab-
Iished in this state in accordance with
the standards Of men like Sheriff Mich
oils. il will be on a still higher plane
even thsB it is in Europe, and there
will be no Rore lynching for the
crimes that are n6ly held to provoke