1 10 18 https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/3609673ab7e03543fd81fc17775eeb65.jpg 987b7ada4d4da0d5fac25dde3765b585 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Warren County Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Scott, Nashville Tennessean (Nashville American), June 5, 1898 Subject The topic of the resource Scott, George Charge, attempted criminal assault on a married White woman Charge, making an indecent proposal to a White woman Mob, about 50-60 men Mob, hanging Mob, masked Description An account of the resource <h3>Article Transcription</h3> <h4>Title: Safe in Kentucky</h4> <span style="font-weight: 400;">SPRINGFIELD. June 3.—(Special.)—George Scott, the would-be negro rapist, has been turned over to the Sheriff of Logan County, Kentucky. The negro was induced to return to Kentucky without requisition papers, it being explained to him that he would be much safer there, as he could be shipped to Bowling Green or Louisville should a mob attempt to lynch him. The officers here were very glad to get rid of him.</span> Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://drvk.createuky.net/clone/biographies/1891-1900/george-scott/">Documenting Racial Violence in Kentucky, Scott, George</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Nashville American/The Tennessean [Nashville, Tn.] Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1898-06-05 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kailly Oum Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Logan County, Adairville, Russellville, Springfield 1890-1900 1898 Adairville Kailly Oum Logan County Russellville Scott Springfield Transcribed https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/7a104cf4b55a3f7bef0ddba3dc4eac40.jpg ab74e1f3806d988afb48ff7139cda75d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Warren County Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Morton, Louisville Courier Journal, February 5, 1897 Subject The topic of the resource Morton, Robert Charge, writing an insulting letter to a young unmarried white woman Mob, unknown number Mob, hanging Description An account of the resource <h3>Article Transcription</h3> <h4><b>Title: A Warren County Negro Was Lynched.</b></h4> <p><b>HE INSULTED A WHITE WOMAN</b></p> <p><b>Quick Work of a Small Mob From Rockfield.</b></p> <p><b>THE GUARDS WERE OVERPOWERED</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bowling Green, Ky., Feb. 4.—(Special.)—Robert Morton, colored, was hanged by a mob about three miles from Rockfield, shortly after midnight last night. The lynchers went about their work in a quiet way, and the people of the vicinity were so reticent on the subject that nothing was known here of the affair until noon to-day. Rockfield is a little station on the L. and N., ten miles from this city.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is said that the negro, a son of a section hand at Rockfield, yesterday wrote an insulting and insinuating note to Miss Tommie Johnson, a well-known white woman of Rockfield. When this became known a posse started at once to arrest Morton. When they found him, he ran, and the officers gave chase, capturing him only after threatening him several times. After his arrest, he was taken to a house on the Russellville pike, not far from town, and put under guard until he could be brought here and lodged in jail.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">About 12 o’clock a party of men appeared at the house, overpowered the guards, and took the prisoner away from them. They then proceeded with him about three miles from Rockfield, and hanged him and quietly dispersed, going to their homes.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Morton’s body was found this morning at 9 o’clock and cut down. Morton was about twenty-one years of age, and did not bear a good reputation.</span></p> Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal/1383323/">Newspapers.com</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Louisville Courier Journal [Louisville, Ky.] Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1897-02-05 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kailly Oum Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Rockfield, Warren County 1890-1900 1897 Kailly Oum Morton Rockfield Transcribed Warren County https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/b2a3a4bafe144235161c446204e547cd.jpg c3d2129acbc03127e6074d7970681108 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Warren County Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Morton, Nashville Tennessean, February 5, 1897 Subject The topic of the resource Morton, Robert Charge, writing an insulting letter to a young unmarried white woman Mob, unknown number Mob, hanging Description An account of the resource <h3>Article Transcription</h3> <h4>Title: JUDGE LYNCH HOLDS COURT</h4> <p><b>And as a Result Robert Morton’s Body Dangled at the End of a Limb.</b></p> <p><b>A MOB’S QUICK VENGEANCE</b></p> <p><b>Negro Had Written an Insulting Note to a Reputable Young White Woman Near Bowling Green.</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">BOWLING GREEN, Feb. 4.—(Special.)—News has just reached here of the lynching of a negro by the name of Robert Morton at Rockfield, this county, last night. The telephone connections between here and Rockfield were burned down a few weeks since, and it is hard to get the full particulars. <br /><br />A message from Petros, two miles below Rockfield, confirms the story, and gives the details as follows:</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The negro resided at or near Rockfield, and a day or two since wrote a note to Miss Tommie Johnson, a prominent and well-known young lady of Rockfield, asking her to meet him at a secluded spot between her house and the depot yesterday afternoon.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It seems that she showed the note to some relatives or friends, who met the negro near the place designated in his note and attempted to capture him. The negro fled, and was pursued by the party, who fired four or fives times at him and wounded him once or twice. When finally captured, he was taken under guard to a vacant house, and while there another party came in and took the negro away from them and into the woods, where he was hanged. The crowd was composed of eight or ten men, and they did not return to the cabin, nor has the negro’s body been found. There is little doubt, however, that he was killed, and while none of the Rockfield people will say much about it, it is very certain that Morton is dead. The people of the vicinity of Rockfield are unusually law-abiding, and the insult to one of their most popular ladies must have been great to have caused them to have taken the law in their own hands. <br /><br />A report just received since writing the above states that the negro’s body has been found, and cut down, though no notice has been sent to the Coroner, who resides here. The young lady, Miss Johnson, is related to quite a number of people in this city and all over the county. A first report stated that she had been assaulted by the black brute, but this proves to be untrue. The mob was exceedingly quiet, and, having accomplished its work, dispersed without stopping to look over the matter. No one knows, and in all probability will never know, who composed it.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean/113019694/">Newspapers.com</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tennessean [Nashville, Tn.] Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1897-02-05 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kailly Oum Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Rockfield, Warren County 1890-1900 1897 Kailly Oum Morton Rockfield Transcribed Warren County https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/15cbc5012024f0e85f3dfc7286fae0d7.jpg 09afde7d4af2a094e90f75cada213661 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Warren County Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Morton, Owensboro Twice-A-Week Messenger, February 10, 1897 Subject The topic of the resource Morton, Robert Charge, writing an insulting letter to a young unmarried white woman Mob, unknown number Mob, hanging Description An account of the resource <h3>Article Transcription</h3> <h4>Title: NOT LYNCHED. Warren County Negro Boy Who Wrote a Young Lady a Note Only Whipped.</h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bowling Green, Ky., Feb. 8.—Robert Morton, the negro boy who was taken from his home near Rockfield, ten miles south of Bowling Green, Thursday night by the mob, has not yet been found. It is claimed by the people of this city that the negro was not lynched, but only severely whipped.<br /><br />Morton’s offense consisted in sending an offensive letter to Miss Tommie Johnson, of Rockfield. Her friends heard of this and several young men went to the home of the negro, took him to the woods and gave him one hundred lashes on his back. It is said the boy left the country, fearing more serious punishment.</span></p> Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://newspapers.com/article/the-twice-a-week-messenger/134958742/">Newspapers.com</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Twice-A-Week Messenger [Owensboro, Ky.] Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1897-02-10 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kailly Oum Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Rockfield, Warren County 1890-1900 1897 Kailly Oum Morton Rockfield Transcribed Warren County https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/6821a7cd8eb41cdb21307f7a59262240.jpg 1073544524ec6061a84858539eb232ed Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Warren County Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Morton, Brookhaven Semi-Weekly Leader, February 10, 1897 Subject The topic of the resource Morton, Robert Charge, writing an insulting letter to a young unmarried white woman Mob, unknown number Mob, hanging Description An account of the resource <h3>Article Transcription</h3> <h3>Title: HE WROTE A LETTER.</h3> <p><b>For That Offense Robert Morton, a Negro, Was Hanged by a Kentucky Mob.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 400;">BOWLING GREEN, Ky., Feb. 6.—Wednesday night near Rockfield, a little station on the Louisville &amp; Nashville, ten miles from this city, a negro, Robert Morton, was hanged. Wednesday Morton wrote an insulting note to Miss Tommie Johnson, a popular young white woman, and when it became known a posse went to arrest him. He ran, and they gave chase, capturing him after shooting him several times. While the officers were guarding Morton a mob overpowered them and took the prisoner out of their custody and carrying him three miles from town hanged him. The body was found yesterday morning.</span><br /></b></p> Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-semi-weekly-leader/134926108/">Newspapers.com</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Semi-Weekly Leader [Brookhaven, Ms.] Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1897-02-10 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kailly Oum Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Rockfield, Warren County 1890-1900 1897 Kailly Oum Morton Rockfield Transcribed Warren County https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/6dbc648bfe1ac48225cfe494a31df007.jpg ead204a774031f1f6466b2be08ce5f59 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Warren County Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Skaggs, Milwaukee Daily Sentinel, April 17, 1891 Subject The topic of the resource Skaggs, Will Charge, murder Mob, seven members Mob, shooting Mob, masked Description An account of the resource <h3>Article Transcription</h3> <h4>Title: Lynched a Negro Murderer.</h4> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Louisville, Ky., April 16.—Near Bowling Green, seven masked men visited the Old Union neighborhood at an early hour this morning and shot to death Will Skaggs, a negro, 18 years of age, who on Tuesday fatally stabbed a young white man named Kirby.</span> Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Unknown Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Milwaukee Daily Sentinel [Milwaukee, Wi.] Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1891-04-17 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kailly Oum Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Bowling Green, Warren County, Allen County 1890-1900 1891 Allen County Bowling Green Kailly Oum Skaggs Transcribed Warren County https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/1caddf2bda1120b2767b129b288f96d6.jpg fe41b18a8e5ddcecbe98cd0fc7479b5b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Warren County Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Skaggs, Anaconda Standard, April 17, 1891 Subject The topic of the resource Skaggs, Will Charge, murder Mob, seven members Mob, shooting Mob, masked Description An account of the resource <h3>Article Transcription</h3> <h4>Title: Shot by Masked Men.</h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">LOUISVILLE, KY. April 15.—Near Bowling Green seven masked men visited the old union this morning and shot to death Will Skaggs, a negro, who on Tuesday fatally cut a young white man named Kirby.</span></p> Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anaconda-standard/134925833/">Newspapers.com</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Anaconda Standard [Anaconda, Mt.] Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1891-04-17 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kailly Oum Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Bowling Green, Warren County, Allen County 1890-1900 1891 Allen County Bowling Green Kailly Oum Skaggs Transcribed Warren County https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/4f956cf99ea6febe2f22e8e82f88cabb.jpg 69cc1729133b041ba930fc7b2ee34e2b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Warren County Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Skaggs, Nashville Tennessean, April 17, 1891 Subject The topic of the resource Skaggs, Will Charge, murder Mob, seven members Mob, shooting Mob, masked Description An account of the resource <h3>Article Transcription</h3> <h4>Title: KENTUCKY. A Young Negro Boy Brutally Shot to Death by a Mob.</h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">BOWLING GREEN, April 16.—[Special.] At an early hour this morning a mob, composed of seven masked men, visited the house of Boyd Johnson, a negro, in the old Union neighborhood, about fifteen miles from this city, and shot an 18-year-old negro boy named Will Skaggs, killing him. The facts, as near as could be learned, are as follows: Several days ago the negro was in Allen County, and became involved in a difficultly with a white man, the result being the negro worsted his adversary by cutting him severely with a pocket knife. The negro immediately returned to the home of his father, John Skaggs, but left there yesterday and went to the house of Boyd Johnson, a neighbor living near by. Just before day this morning the mob called at the house of the boy’s father and asked the whereabouts of his son. Not knowing their intention, his son having said nothing to him of the cutting, he told them. They immediately left the house of Johnson. When in a short distance from the place they saw the young negro leave the house by the back door. Five shots were fired at the fleeing boy and he fell. Upon examination it was found that all of the balls had entered the body, causing instant death. After the killing the mob dispersed quietly. It is thought that they were friends of the white man from Allen County.</span></p> Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-skaggs-the-tennessean-n/109127757/">Newspapers.com</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tennessean [Nashville, Tn.] Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kailly Oum Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Bowling Green, Warren County, Allen County 1890-1900 1891 Allen County Bowling Green Kailly Oum Skaggs Transcribed Warren County https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/e1316966547f6eea414b976dbabda65d.jpg 5a718830c17611428c42f506b99924d4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Warren County Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Morton, Richmond Climax, February 10, 1897 Subject The topic of the resource Morton, Robert Charge, writing an insulting letter to a young unmarried white woman Mob, unknown number Mob, hanging Description An account of the resource <h3>GUARDS OVERPOWERED</h3> <strong>And Robert Morton Taken out By a Mob and Hanged</strong><br /> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">BOWLING GREEN, KY., Feb. 5.—Robert Morton, colored, was hanged by a mob about three miles from Rockfield, shortly after midnight Wednesday night. It is said that the negro, a son of a section hand at Rockfield wrote an insulting and insinuating note to Miss. Tommie Johnson, a well-known young white woman of Rockfield. When this became known a posse started at once to arrest Morton. When they found him he ran and the officers gave chase capturing him only after threatening him several times.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">After he was arrested he was taken to a house on the Russellville pike, near town, and put under guard until he could be brought here and lodged in jail. About 12 o’clock a party of men appeared at the house, overpowered the guards and took the prisoner away from them. They then proceeded with him about three miles from Rockfield, hanged him and quickly dispersed, going to their homes.&nbsp;<br /><br />Morton’s body was found Thursday morning and cut down. Morton was about twenty-one years old and did not bear a good reputation.<br /></span></p> <p><strong>Shot, Not Hanged.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 400;">BOWLING GREEN, KY., Feb. 6.—Further details of the lynching of Robert Morton colored, at Rockfield, Wednesday, or writing an insulting note to Miss Tommie Johnson, show that the Negro was decoyed to a vacant house out of town and shown the note. Morton then drew a pistol and fired on the mob twice, wounding one man in the leg. The mob returned the fire and Morton fell. He was picked up and carried into the hills. His body has not been found.</span><br /></strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-richmond-climax-guards-overpowered/133838258/">Newspapers.com</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Richmond Climax [Richmond, Ky.] Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1897-02-10 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kailly Oum Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Rockfield, Warren County 1890-1900 1897 Kailly Oum Morton Rockfield Transcribed Warren County https://drvk.createuky.net/news-articles/files/original/4dcade7a802efe5079fdd5745a3214bb.pdf b0416cf9272751dd6934cb7b8e4efa3a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Warren County Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Morton, Freeman, February 13, 1897 Subject The topic of the resource Morton, Robert Charge, writing an insulting letter to a young unmarried white woman Mob, unknown number Mob, hanging Description An account of the resource <h3>LYNCHED FOR WRITING A DISRESPECTFUL LETTER</h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We learn from the Standard, published in Lexington, Ky., that a Robert Morton was lynched in Bowling Green, Ky., Feb. 4th for writing an insulting and insinuating letter to a white lady. The Standards says:<br /><br />“Morton wrote an insulting and insinuating note to Miss Tommie Johnson, a popular young white woman of the town, and when it became known a posse went to arrest him. He ran and they gave chase, capturing him after shooting him several times. While the officers were guarding Morton, a mob overpowered them and took the prisoner out of their custody and carrying him three miles from town, hung him. The body was found the next morning. The matter was kept so quiet that it was not known until noon the next day. Morton was 21 years old and the son of a section hand.”<br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The above article is reproduced, not so much to show up another case of lynching, as to prove the fact, that, life is daily becoming cheaper. We mean Negro life within our own domain. It may be considered a sign of awakening conscience in the tone of the Southern press, which at this time is using its influence in trying to stir up public sentiment against such outrages, that strike at the race’s very existence. It is a matter of appreciation to note the worthy attitude. But will it amount to any more than the press of the North that has been thundering away at the iniquitous institution? There are many mobile minded white men and women of the South who have always upheld the supremacy of the laws, yet, as in the days of rebellion, what did their puny opposition amount to? We do not underrate the influence of their demonstrations, but the evil must show some sign of abatement before we conclude as to the potency of the press. The learned are to be convinced, but the standing army of intellectual beggars will not be educated in a day. The unwillingness to believe that the Negro is anything but an inferiorilly endowed being, is difficult to erradicate [sic] when so great a pleasure results from the belief. To be hung for writing an indecent letter is a spectacle for modern civilization. If Morton alone suffered, well might we hold our peace, but ‘tis not Morton that was stricken down. It was a blow aimed at ten million of people who are unfortunate simply in being born. No question of pessimism or optimism at this juncture. Dollars and cents have long ago dropped out of the equation. The unknown quantity of respect for the race remains quad erat demonstrandum. Misdemeanors of all denominations will occur, do occur daily, but it is not the prerogative of any hastily organized tribunal to settle the matter. It is nothing within the court’s province to mete out punishment commensurate with the crime. Those who first framed the laws took into cognizance the probable existence of the malefactor. They accordingly specified the possible crimes and the penalties for the committing of the same. The only excuse for the existence of courts, criminal or otherwise, is to protect the weak against the strong. “A nation on trial,” says the English, and with much show of reason. A nation that acts for a part of the people, defends them, when criminals, trys them, and when innocent acquits them, that recognizes the blinded condition of the goddess of justice, that weighs all in the balances alike, has a government for, of and by the people. If these conditions do not obtain, the nation is but an experiment; its people submitting to its rules and regulations at their fancy. These irregularities are being winked at in some parts of the country: a process which is disreputable from a national standpoint. National honor! What an odd sound, when liked a whited sepulcher lay in its bosom an object of perpetual detestation. Cuba Libre, and Delena est Negro! will do to couple together for a National yell. Armenia for Christ! Negroes for hell, is the joyful refrain. The Sultan of Turkey comes in for his share of scoring by the christian world. What about the bullet riddled Negro whose life mounts the smoke of the fire by which he is consumed? The skeptical Negro is in the land. His almost superstitious religious beliefs keeps him from multiplying only. The apparent causes are amply sufficient. The weakness of Republics is no more apparent than in cases of this kind. Officers who hold their offices and are sworn to do their duties, are intimidated in various ways, all resulting in the maltreatment of a class of citizens at the behest of popular sentiment or approval, regardless of the mandates of the law. Every man is innocent until proven guilty! What a beautiful theory, but how ruthlessly violated! Crime of crimeless, the violation of the proprieties, whether great or small, when supposed to be committed by a Negro, death is the only compromise. Nor is it peculiar to one section. The length and breadth of the South are so inoculated with the venomous spirit that suspicion is a synonym for death. While the millions are law abiding, having no part in, nor sympathy for, the rascally members of the race, it should not be held that these irregular takings off are of no moment. It must be born in mind that whenever these charges are preferred, no matter in what community, the whole community is for the time inflamed as one man against the Negro, proving an utter contempt for him when he swings beyond his prescribed circle. It is hard to say, but safe to say there is no power strong enough to combat the evil. To threat, to denounce, all ends in threatening and denouncing. The fire will burn until there is no longer substance on which to feed. As the years roll on the Negros will still be shot down in cane-brake and bush&nbsp; &nbsp; They will expire amid the crackling flames and voluminous smoke that ascends to heaven as an only protest. The sheep of a nation—domestic and docile—waiting in the shambles for sacrifice—such is the picture of our most free institutions up to date.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived America's Historical Newspapers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Freeman [Indianapolis, In.] Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1897-02-13 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kailly Oum Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Rockfield, Warren County 1890-1900 1897 Kailly Oum Morton Rockfield Transcribed Warren County