Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-09-02
The Frank Case.

ally be depended upon to be both lair and
level-headed. In the matter OF the lynch
ing OF Leo Frank, II is, however, at vari-
ance with best thought OF the country.
Without discussing the matter OF the
mans guilt-a1out which there has been
considerable difference OF opinlon-the
lynCning of Frank is not condoned, so lar
as know, by any publication in the coun
try outside OF the Register and a few of
Georgia papers.
The tact seem TO be: The judge who
conducted the trial OF Frank expressed his
doubt as TO the prisoners guilt. Several
members OF the u. S. Supreme Court
wrote dissent to the majority opinion
that refused Frank new Trial. In that
dissent the point was made thai under the
phrase "due process OF law Frank had
not been fairly tried. The press OF the
country was almost unit in favor Of
saving Frank from capital punishment,
and looked to the Governor OF Georgia
10 step into the breach with some torn OF
Communication of sentence. He, acting
within his constitutional rights, just as the
President would, who. would vetoe bill
that Congress had passed, commuted the
sentence OF Frank 10 lite Imprisonment.
He did this because, like the Judge who
conducted the trail, and the dissenting
justices OF the u. ). Supreme Court, he
said he doubted Franks guilt and could
not do otherwise than at least let the man
live until developments made clearer the
fact OF his guilt or innocence. The coun-
try at large approved OF Governor Slaton's
act. Some Georgians did not-in fact
the majority did not, and the feeling IN
that Slate, famed into flame by Tom
Watson, took the form ofthe most hideouS
and loathSome act that has diSgraCed a
State in modern times.
Ii is difficult for the writer 10 see how
there can be difference OF opinion on the
lynching oil Frank, however much there
might be as to his guilt after the evidence
had been published in almost every paper
in the country was OF itself sufficient to
the Governor CT the State concerned act
cautiously. The Atlanta Constitution,
acknowledgement be Georgia S oeSt-known
paper, took sides with those believing
Frank innocent. What could eX-Gover-
nor Slaton do other than he did
In spite OF Slaton'S acting within his
constitutional rights, and as he declares
TO his conviction, mob in Georgia said
the law had been overrdden and Justice
thwarted, and accordingly took the law
in hand and against all law lyncheu Frank.
The country at large is hornhed, and
Justly so. The prisoner had narrowly
escaped death from having his throat cut
but recently by a felloW-prSoner who had
caught the Georgia fever OF bood-lust.
The mans wound in the neck broke open
again when hung by the mob. He denied
TO the last his guilt and calmly met death,
refusing TO be catechised by the mob.
The entire circumstance OF his taking
away" was such as to take precedence
over war news in the great publication OF
the country. The Nation, the Outlook"
the New York Sun, Post, the Chicago
Tribune, in fact, everything that stands
for strength in our country, spoke in the
strongest manner that the English Ian
guage would adit of the horrible act de-
failing how 5000 men and women stood
about the body while il was dangling in
the air, holding in sort OF cannioal'S
ioy-meeting, and were only by strong
persuasion prevented from mutilating the
body after the lyncherS had done their
work.
The Register that stands four-square on
the temperance question and is not afraid
to tackle woman suffrage, should not
condone lynching, and particularly such
as Georgia had treated to The country TO.
The writer would suggest that if the
Register would add to its ST OF reforms
10 be speedily brought about that it in
clude the abolition OF capital punishment.
II any man can find in the New Testament
any basis for taking the life OF another or
If any man can lind III the effects OF CAPT.
tai punishment upon the criminal class
any basis to suppose il acts as deterrent
10 crime, LET us have his arguments, The
New Testament distinctly declares that
the law ian eye for an eye and a tooth |
for a TOOTH" has been annulled, and the |
most enlightened men of our country are
now saying what Lafayette and such men |
long ago said namely, the capital punish
ment has no place in christian civilization. |
II the death OF Becker and the murder |
OF Leo Frank do not greatly help on the |
cause of the abolition OF capital punish |
ment many will be mistaken in their sur
misses.
]. o. KNOTT,
WachinOfOu n q