The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1912-12-08
ITO He'll With the Constitution.

and an emphatic expression Of a
feeling Of resentment wrought up
by the ungenerOus criticism of Gov
ernor BIease's cOnfrrres at the Gov
errors meeting held in Rich
mond, Va.
In brief, he announced that he
would not call the State militia to
protect a negro raplst from being
lynched by mob.
At this gathering there were
eighteen governors, self-appOinted,
On the invitation Of some personal
authority to interchange views and
TO offer suggestions of practical
value. presumably in the interest Of
and for the welfare Of all the peO-
pie.
This conference Of governors is in
a sense as would be a gathering Of
citizens of prominence from as
many States, and but for the I'M
pleasant incident arising over The.
pronounced attitude Of Governor
Blease would have ended in mutual
admiration and glorification.
1t is conceded that such an end
ing of this conference would not
have been harmful, and if these
governors We're inclined to seek no
toriety in the public limelight it was
their privilege and could be Of no
concern to the Caucasian.
1t may be said that preceding the
dcnunciation of Governor Blease
one of the governors advocated
strenuously the chastisement of
prisoners for infraction of dis
eipiine and as deterrent TO crime.
This is a remarkable declaration.
without spark Of humanity, which
leaves this executive in the category
~ being listed with the ignorant
generally moved by brutal instincts
who have little, if any, appreciation
of the modern method of the treat
B1ent in the prisons and the peni-
teIaiaries where the Wardens are
humane and have come TO recognize
that even the vilest may be readily
persuaded to reform with kindness
than with the whip.
1t may not have occurred to this
conference Of governors that the
greatest majorities Of men in the
prisons and in the penitantiares
are convicts through their first Of
Tense and that they may be re-
deemed to good citizens by humane
consideration instead of brutality.
Is it not surprising then that these
conferrees who did not disapprose
of the suggested brutalizing of con-
victS were as reported suddenly and
outrageously shocked when Cover
nor Blease declared thai he would,
not interpose in the lynching by
mob of negro who had raped a
white woman, nor would he call on
the militia to protect such an inhu-
man being. ~.
The Caucasian has always been
stern agd staunch advocate Of law
for all crimes except the crime Of
rape or. assault on woman.
For such utterance it has no eX-
PLANTATION or apologies TO offer. The
rapist, negro as a rule, should be
treated as monster, a being who
by his act has deliberately forfeited
his life.
What would either or all the gov
errors who have denounced Blease
do if on their premises there ap-
peared rattlesnake or a tiger wolf
threatening his wife or daughter? /
Would there be any appeal to the
Constitution or an awaiting of the
slow process of law with all its
technical entangIements, which are
favorable TO the release OF the
criminal. |,
A rapist or one who would as
sault woman is entitled to no
more mercy than would be accord
ed the tiger wolf a. rattlesnake, and
the quicker he is DISPATCHED the
better for society.
In such eases there should be no
snistake nor should an innocent suf-
fer. but when the criminal has been
fully identified beyond the SEM .
Elance of a doubt. lie We're ridiculous
to engage in a trial. at best a ira |
yesty of justice and a mockery of
lave when by such process the die (
is already east and the rapist is
foredoomed before being adjudged
guilty by jury. =
Suit in such trial by law, so-called,
tale victim of the lustful brute must ?
be called into a court as a witness.
Where is the self-respecting man L
who would consent to his wife, or
his daughter or his sister being re- |
CURED to testify, and perhaps be
subjected to the interrogation of /
some smart aleek or shyster of an 1