The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-08-02
ANOTHER DISGRACE.

~HE burning at the stake OF William Stanley ne
gro at Temple, Texas on Friday night, was an
L other OF mob violence which can not be Justl
lied and which brings down the condemnation OF every
good citizen. Stanley accused OF being partner
in the murder of three children When he found
wearing an article Of clothing which belonged TO the ath
e OF the children seized and burned at the stake
Granting that the man guilty OF the crime there
can he no excuse for his execution by mob. Mob VIC.
ence can never be justified for the simple reason thai
those who take Justice their hands and execute
person III q manner contrary TO the prescribed ordf
nances law equally as guilty oil murder as tAs
person whom they execute When the appointed Officers
OF the carry the extreme penalty OF the law on
person after that person has secured his constitutional!
ghts-a trial by jry-and has been sentenced TO DEATH
tits not murder ANY other method OF maktg away with
guilty innocent party is murder pure and simple
There is no getting around this fact The state alone
has the right TO execute and the mob never has the
right no matter how terrible the offence committed.
Had William Stanley been given trial by jury. he
would undoubtedly have found guilty and speedily
executed thus making him pay the highest price tor MS
crime without putting another black mark on the state
OF Texas Not only that but had the due process OIL Ia"
been followed Stanley would have been able TO give
evidence which would made it easy to apprehend
with certainty others who had part in the crime Tor
which the mob burned the helpless negro at the stake
Mob action such taken at Temple, Tex Is
little short OF anarchy. 1t national disgrace that
such things should in this country which is sup
posedIy at least the most advanced OF al! the nauouz
Each mob oubus such as burning OF Stanley is not
only direct violation OF the constitution; but national
disgrace.
is reported that many and children witnessed
the burning OF the negro the stake What wonderfully
fine women they must have been! What fine mothers!
Such a splendid example to set their children! How
highly instructive it must take little children TO
such an affair. What fine generation the next will be
around Temple Tex if the mothers and fathers take the
children 10 such lawless outbreaks! Brought up in
such surroundings children will come to believe that
10 burn man at the stake is but evenings diversion
Thev will never think for an instant it Is right wrong
because thew have been brought up believe that such
outrares are altogether fitting and proper and that the
law is 10 be followed only when they feel like it. and
when the law does not work fast enough they will tnnK
it perfecty proper TO take the law IN their own hands
Why? Because their fathers and their mothers, when
they were little children took them along and made them
part OF the damnabe outrages against justice and
against the constitution OF their own country.
What can you expect different. While the fathers OF
the children who witnessed the mob outoust at TEN
Pile Texas gathered the fuel for the fire and bound the
helpless negro to the stake, struck the match and
watched the flames leap up about the unfortunate nd
idual the mothers brought the children and stood by
with them and watched the gruesome ordeal II mothers
and fathers sanction such deeds, who can blame the
children if they grow up with the disregard for
law and order
The affair Of Friday evening seems so horrible that 1t
is almost beyond believing, and yet hardly week goes
past that the same thing does not happen in one Of the
extreme southern states.