The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-08-27
He DOESN'T KNOW ANY BETTER.

o BLEASE, OF South Car.
olna, in an address delivered yesterday before the
conference OF governors in Boston, declared that
lynehing Of men in the south for certain crimes is a
protection to civilization. In the same address he con-
demned the third degree" and characterized it as be-
ing worse than lynching in many respects.
While we agree heartily with this distinguished gen
tleman on his stand concerning the third degree we
maintain that his stand in regard to lynching sounds
very much as If there was nobody home" Just how
he can figure that a lynching is a protection in any sense
of the word to civilization is very hard to understand,
unless It be that he is trying TO get back into office and
is endesvoring to get the mob element votes. A lynch
ing Is a menace to ivilization-always. Every time a
man is Iynched disrespect for law and order is shown in
as much as the law is not permitted to take its course.
and every lynching successfully staged creates a deeper
disregard for law. We admit that justice some times
moves too slowly in the United States: but that is no
excuse for the mob taking the law into their own hands.
Does the honorable gentleman intimate that a man
guilty. OF an unspeakable crime would not soon be made
to pay the extreme penalty Of the law in the south?
Would not the wheels of justice move with much "a
pidity in his case? Is the south not capable OF dealing
out justice. except by way Of the mob?
The following is part of the address defending lynch
ings:-
In the south an aroused mob is an outraged c~ommunity
which carries the law, but brushes aside with mighty
force the laws technicalities and delays. There is no
hypocritical sanctimonious violation of fundamental
lights under the cloak Of law by those sworn to uphold
the law; the deed is open. and civilization and justice
are indicated. And when mobs are no longer possible.
liberty will be dead.
Ptfle. pure and simple. Civilization and justice vindi-
Gated by mob violence-some class to this statement.
Does the honorable gentleman think he can cram any
such rot down the threats of intelligent men and women.
He raves on: "And when mobs are no longer posi-
bic, liberty will be dead" We presume when southern
mobs cease to take men, convicted on fimsy circum-
stantial evidence Of murder, without even a, semblance
III q respectable trial, and sentenced by a mob fearing
court to the gallows; but saved from death and SEN
teneed to life imprisonment through the power vested
IN a Just executive. from their cells and execute them
that liberty will be dead. When southern mobs cease
10 burn men at the stake before any trial at all and cease
bringing the women and children TO such outrages, lib.
erty viii be dead. II this be the case. hasten the death
Of liberty, and get away from mob violence.
Poor old Blease-he probably does no; know any bet
ter. He was raised that way. Has he read what his own
southern papers have to say on the Frank case and 9TH
er ~outrages? Come out of the darkness. Mr. Blease,
and get in tune with the better element; and then you
VIII understand that as long as mob rule holds sway in
eny locality, the very foundations of liberty and constitu-
Honal government are being impaired. When mobs are
no longer possible, sir. liberty will get a new lease on
lie.