Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-30

depths by tho horror Of this murder
where a good and peaceable citizen
was murdered by two thieves whom
he discovered had stolen his property.
They admitted in court that they had
stolen his property, and they not only
murdered him. but robbed him Of his
watch and money. shockingly mutt
lated the dead body and hid 1t In tho
woods. Five hundred good people were
about to lynch the murdcrers. when
a vigilant Governor called the courts
to his aid, and the people quietly sub
mitted and trusted the courts to do
their duty. When the court had acted.
what do we soc? Outsiders. far from
tho scene. rush into print and spread
false and slanderous charges and in
situations against the judge who pre-
sided at the trial. And then the at
torney employed (and paid. pre-
sume) to defend these thieves and MUIR
6erers PUSHES into print to sustain. as
fesses his own dereliction in tho duty
Of an attorney. What is tho effect of
such things as this? by their fruits
you shall know them" It Is bitter
fruit indeed. From such seeds sprung
the tree that bore the Allen fruit in
Carroll. where brave and gallant Judge
Massie died on the bench and his
sheriff and others died in the discharge
Of their duties. for daring to enforce
the law against such a band Of out
laws Is never before disgraccd old Vir-
sinia. And then we had the scanda lous
spectacle of good people forgetting
that these officers of the law died to
preserve their liberty and their prop-
erty, going to the extent OF raising
even greater standard in their ef-
fort TO have one Of these outlaws par
Hnr CO., -,
and handsome and because he was only
aiding his father 10 shoot up court
OF justice. OF course this boy should
have his sentence committed or be
pardoned because he was only aiding
his father to murder man whose
property he had stolen.
SEED THAT BRINGS
FORTH LYNCHINGS
This is the seed that brings forth
the bitter fruit Of lynchings. of which
we have had an illustration recently
have never had a lynching in my
circuit. though ! have tried men for
all the crimes in the catalogue, and
whY' Am / claiming too much il I
say that II is because my people know
that ! enforce all the laws? Now IL
seems l am reaping the rich reward of
having my name brought before the
public through falsehood and Islander
~ the apologists Of murder and theft.
AS judge who is capable of utterly
snorins the rights of an ignorant and
frightened negro boy. and inducing him
20 plead guilty in order that I might
sentence him to death, has ii come to
any iEnoramus or crank can
II his VIII besmirch the reputation
If any Judge. and have the newspapers
spread his ISLANDERS broadcast over the
state? But do not complain for M
'@!f. great as is the power of the press
or good or evil. and Judges and courts
'Te ameIabie to fair criticism by peo-
lie who have the character and stand
ns entitlinG them to be heard. but
should not the press be very careful
VOW 4, uses that power or lends 1t to
others: II my long life and character
aHnot withstand unjust aspersions.
hen ! have lived in vain. but it is
or the fair name Of our courts of JUS
n my person. The reign OF law and
he integrity OF the courts are the chief
afeguards OF our free institutions Do
We discern the signs Of the times!"
20 We realize that this old world and
Is civilization are rocking and trem-
llins In the titanic struggle between
he forces OF good and evil-between
.narchy and chaos and law and order,
DO we realize that one great nation in
'raspins at freedom has sunk into the
'ottomless pit Of socialism, anarchy and
'ther iaWlessneess? Look abroad in our
WA land. and note the Increase in
rime, rape. arson. murder and theft.
vote the teachings and the acts OF tho
: w. w. Note that treason and dis
egsrd OF all law is openly advocated
n the streets OF our cities, and le, US
rem bic for the fate OF our institutions
tSiEned) GEORGE ECEDLEY.
Farmville. Va. August os. 1917.