Old News--1915 Law Proposed

 

The sources discuss the issue of lynching and the need for anti-lynching legislation, reflecting the national debate at the time. Here's what the sources reveal:

• Public Sentiment Against Lynching:

  • The sources include a number of articles and editorials that condemn lynching. These articles suggest that there was a growing sentiment against this practice, at least within the editorial board of the newspaper.
  • One article states that lynching is a "crime against civilization".
  • Another article condemns mob rule, arguing that the courts should be where justice is administered.

• Arguments for Anti-Lynching Laws:

  • The sources include articles that advocate for the passage of anti-lynching laws.
  • One article mentions the need for federal legislation to address lynching, as some states were unable or unwilling to deal with the problem effectively.
  • It was argued that lynching undermines the legal system and violates the rights of individuals.
  • The sources note that victims of lynching are not always guilty of the crimes they are accused of.

• Lynching as a National Issue:

  • The sources demonstrate that lynching was a significant national issue that was being debated in Congress and in the national press.
  • The sources reference speeches and comments by national figures in relation to the issue.
  • One article notes that lynching was being debated internationally, and that the United States was under scrutiny.

• Local Context:

  • The local paper, the Pocahontas Times, was publishing these articles and editorials, suggesting that the community in Pocahontas County was aware of and engaged with this national issue.

• Specific Cases:

  • There is reference to a lynching case in 1909 of a man named "Diggs" who was accused of murdering a police officer, which suggests these types of incidents were common.
  • There is also a reference to an editorial in the New York World, that criticized the failure to pass a law to punish lynching.

Overall, the sources reflect a time of national debate about lynching and the need for federal laws to combat it. The Pocahontas Times articles reveal that the community was aware of the issue and the arguments surrounding it, even if the sources don't record any local incidents of this type.