Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-12-01
Sees Justification for
The San Jose Lynching

As a member of the legal profession,
the undersigned Is naturally conserva-
tive and believes ordinarily In the due
processes of the law and its orderly
administration. He Is, therefore, OPP
posed to lynch law in principle. He
believes, however, there arise in So
ciety at times conditions that may
justify 1t. When crimes Of an atrocious
and shocking character become ram
pant in q community, and when the
courts and the agents OF the law fail
through corruption or ineficiency In
the discharge of their duties in the
enforcement Of the law and the protec-
ton OF society. as appears to be the
situation throughout our country for
some time past, and the enemies Of
society for that reason and through
the aid OF shyster lawyers either escape
justice altogether or get totally made
quate punishment, then the drastic
action OF the vigilance committees Is
justified.
Their activities under such circum.
stances are warranted upon the theory
that under our forms OF government all
laws are derived from the people, and
those who execute and enforce the laws
are but the agents of the people In the
execution OF their will as expressed in
the laws.
Now when the instrumentalities and
the agents of the people prove corrupt,
inadequate, and fail in the discharge
OF their duties In the protection Of
society for which they are created by
the people, 1t is the right Of the people
to resume the powers which they have
delegated, and themselves execute the
laws in summary way.
klQDaDinP which IN one Of the most
htnlOlS and desplcabla OF crimes. has
grown to such proportions in the United
states that no persons OF means. or
and all such people throughout the
country are now in a state OF fear and
panic, not knowing at what hour they
or their loved ones may be the victims
OF the kidnapers.
The kidnapping and brutal murder Of
young Hart following many similar
cases. especially the Lindbergh case Of
painful memory, III which the kidnapers
either escaped detection or were given
only prison terms, aroused the people
OF San Jose to a high degree Of anger
and apprehension, and consciousness Of
the dangers threatening them, and they
quite naturally concluded the time had
come for drastic action and q summary
example.
For the reason given. and under the
circumstances, there cannot be other
than feeling Of sympathy for them
and tendency to justify their action.
1t may be that few more cases like
this will bring kidnapping into disrepute
and make 1t questionable, and result
in more efficient judicial system. and
better class of representatives of the
law. and housekeeping in the legal
profession. which Is so badly needed.
There will probably be no more kid
mapping in and around San Jose.
Thirty odd years ago a situation
arose in New Orleans that required d.
rect action Of the people. The city
was terrorized by the Italian Malta.
1t appeared impossible to break II up
by the orderly processes Of the law.
The people OF New Orleans recalled the
powers they had delegated in the laws
Of the city. and In broad daylight
they marched to the city Jail where six
OF these criminals were confined and
executed them summarily. The result
was that the Malta disappeared in New
Orleans forever. and peace and order
reigned thereafter.
ALEXANDER SIDNEY LANIER.