The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-08-24
INTEND 1IING \ ST.iTE

Oran@cblIr& Times & Democrat
South Carolina has not been hon
ed by the recent acts Of a lawlcss
lnob seeking TO wrcak vengeance
lu,on thc SlaverS OF a Columbia
ch..ll;Icur 'i.he determination OF
ti1c mob TO take matters into its
OWE hands reflected neither respect
for Tie courts OF their state nor a
regard for the Sovereignty and pow
er OF their commonwealth. 1t was
Il disSraceful proceeding and one
that should be heartily condemned.
The mob proceeded beyond the
boundaries of the state. however.
and technically invaded . Georgia,
a ncigEborinG state If this had
happened between two separate
,soverei=ntics entirely independent
Il prompt apology would have been
demanded Bette; still. tho mis-
icel!ancous mob would probably
never have cotton to the Augusta
Stockadc because troops of Georgia
would have met them at the River
ana DIOkc u llltIi l'lNlllN.
Nor did the travcSty upon States
authority end The Augusta Off
Gals sent the prisoners to Savan-
nah To avoid the mob. ard the po-
lice authorities Of Augusta took no
steps to oppose the lawlcss inva-
sion. Finally. the sheriff of Lex
inSton county goes TO savannah.
gets his mon and instead Of taking
them TO the state penitcntiary at
Columbia. where they belong. he
deposits them in the Charleston
i jail. presenting the county officials
with his burden. and departs for
home. Near Columbia his train was
stepped by the mob and searched.
In al these proceedings, shame
ful 10 the i;,wabiding citizens Of
South Carolina. there are many
i lessons 30 he drawn and many re-
Elections which can be made. The
first and foremost is that such law
+! lessncss ,.ust be checked, even at
the prig" Of bloodSllcd. Running
from mGhS and exhibiting fear of
the lawl"ss is no way to bring about
respect. for law and established
method. Of justice. Every agency
Of the state should be cXerted to
create the proper regard for the
states authority, and il any mob
attacked a shcrif;'s party. let the
members take the consequences.
Secondly, the motive for mob
attacks arc twofold. In many
cases it is racial prejudice and re-
sentiment for attacks upon women.
Eut. this does not answer mob ef-
forts aeainS; white criminals. Back
of this latter class of lawlcSsness
lies q conviction that criminals Sc
cure freedom and lcniency too Of
ten from .iurieS and courts. Law
abiding men sitting on juries will
+ have to begin Furnishing those gull
" Of murders and other crimes so
that in times Of excitement the
knowledge that the law will meas
urc out punishment as earned will
act rs a deterrent to mob action.
Thirdly. the county officers en-
trusted With the enforcement Of the
law and the protection of prisoners
must take a stronger dose Of res
oiution and courage to defend those
in their custody from any mob.
The spectacle of a peace officer
ike a sheriff running all over the
Stase Of South Carolina and Geor-
Sia To avoid a lawless group is
certainly q reflection upon his oath
20 uphold the law and the dignity
Of the s.atc. \ determined sheriff
with equally rcsolute deputies. well
armed. should face any mob. and
prevent capture o.; the prisoners.
In 50 doing the sheriff would be
carving out his duties and per-
forming . public service. 1t might
harpen thu; u few people would get
Killed if .. foolish mob net Il brave
sheriff. BAT in the long run our
state VIII hc we'll served. for law
I"Ssncss must either die. being root
Cd ont entirely. or the State will
suffer e,"vously as lnobs become
laor. and ,nor" lawleSs. Iynchinss
follow upon sli@iter prct"Nts, and
state and county officials yield
l.lnrc 10 the l;.Wl"ss clement.
N;o..ornor Cooper should have in
! formed Sheriff Roof to swear in
1.-The requisite deputies and bring his
prisoners to the state pcnitcntiary,
and il any mob stopped hm. to open
fir" on the mob. That order pub
licIy given and publicly accepted
wotid have avoided any trouble. It
would haze save, tn" State from
being placed in the humiliatinS and
Ridiculous position of lodging a
mob IN It's own capitol.