Franklin County
Investigation
Solicitor Norris started with commendable promptness the
investigation of the lynching which occurred in Franklin county last week. The
quick work shows a due appreciation of the value of establishing the law and
ending any sentiment that favors subversion of law by the irresponsible action
of the mob.
One of the first things to compel the approval of the
thinking people of the State will e the course of the two negroes, Joe and
Sallie Harris, living on the Medlin farm where the crime was committed, who
furnished evidence that helped materially to trace the criminal. Here was an
example of holding law and humanity above any race prejudice, and if that one
example could be followed by everybody a large proportion of the crime in this
country would be quickly headed off. Shielding a criminal and assuming to
defend him because of race conditions or where it is not racial relations but
fraternity or other ties defies justice and obstructs law and encourages crime.
It is to the credit of these two negroes that they were anxious to see the
crime punished, and that they figured that it was a criminal who was sought and
that his race or color had nothing to do with the desire for his apprehension.
A criminal is a criminal and as such the whole population should
be on the side of the laws. If this fact can be impressed more widely, on white
and black alike, and all be made to feel that the apprehension and punishment
of any criminal is for the common good, we will have moved forward toward order
and law decidedly.
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