The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-06-04
TUESDAY. JUNE 4. 1917.


PhLSS AFot<RfSi Fcls VIZ ALIENS.
We break rule Of silence as 10 criticisms
OF The FtrgtH4oas editorial policy by other
papers TO point out TO the BH<aa Itsta Tunes
that our concern respecting the tnaudlin sym
pathy expressed FOR the Allen gang by the
people of w s4heriiie has been fully justified
by the MISCARRIAGE of Justice evidenced by the
Claude Allen jury return Of verdict OF
second degree murder on evidence upon which
sane man could put any other construction
than that it spelled either justification OF
murder IN The Hrsj degree.
The TINES objects strenuously 70 what we
had TO say about the Wytheyille offerings Of
flowers and deicacies TO the most fragrant out
laws in the conntry's history. and offers TO
justify them by alleging similar fsvors shown
10 Beattie betwee the time OF his arrest and
execution. II must remember, however, that
there was for while, AZ least. ground for
concerning latter guilt ard
In addition, that his crime was personal
rather than public. seattie murdered
a helpless woman, the Aliens shot down the
only agency except Lynch Law that Nytbs-
vile. or any other community. depend upon
for protection. Personally ~e do not admire
the spirit ihst makes hero OF a man
pected Of killing bis wife for infatuafion with
another but. logically consider
such a course Iess dangerous 70 morals and
public Justice than similar treatment OF men
who ha1, decreed defiance no the very form
and principle OF Law.
Taking The Tim<s statement as standard
Il Is not difncuit 70 understand how II hap
pened that the Aliens we're Toasted, or that
CT ude Allen permitted to escape the 81 2c-
,ric CHI ir. II refers 10 them being, as
Caesar said Of the Gauls, far removed from
me marx where sold those things that
tended &c e erninete the race" The refusal
o. their right TO make and sell li1uor and
brandy ailed them with hearty rage. A
political feud brought forth all their manly
qualities. from which the Times concludes
that, The Aliens were sctuated by an honest
t m ts'-en idea 10 tn ir personal righte. "
! sa~
We believe uo one synpa thi1es with the crime
that theN committed. but the people Of w he
Vile appreciate the viewpoint or the Nir
-sala mnuntaiueeTs and they. like msnv other
people throughout the State. while NOT SWIM
oathising th The crime can nevertheless sym
m rsi~e with the Aliens in the plight In which
thar md themselves Floyd Alien IL no
lonFer the care-free. wild and law defNiua noun
tsiF ssr When all is said thu fact remain }hat
he is man, suffering daily pain from his wounds
ard 10 pay the death penalty in The eleC-
trie chair Therefore, tn the light ~ all the
facts in the case, think it comes with poor
grace from The Nirgiuisn TO take TASK the
people Of Wytbsviile for trying. out OF he kind
neks Of their hearts. Ia minister somewhat 10 the
comfort OF his remaining days.
Whether 1t happen in Wytheyille, or Rich
mopd. or New York, or elsewhere, the practice
o. pubic demonstration in favor OF Grim
.nsla neosssasslT aaa It's @aadioHs. s9Fe2t >gFan
public opinion concerning their crimes The
deed and the, cannot be separated 1t
Is EN- more to be regretted when THIS attn
tide. usually .prin1ins fro mthe thougbIIess
sentimentaiity Of individuals, finds even
sporadic endorsement at the hands Of The
press