LYNCHING IN AMERICA. [To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—I think Mr. Chauncey Hackett's letter on the subject of your review of The Children of the Slaves has some implica- tions which are hardly true. First of all, it is not conditions on the Mexican border which give the United States a bad name. There is nothing like so much lynching there as in Georgia and Mississippi, and it can hardly be said that the mechanical difficulties of communication are great in these States. As regards lynching of white men it does occur, but it is rare. The case cited of Leo Frank was certainly the lynching of a white man, but he was a Jew, which makes some difference even in America. The lynching party came from Atlanta, the capital of Georgia, and broke into Milledgeville prison and destroyed the prisoner. It is generally said that he was lynched because Jewish influence was otherwise likely to obtain his reprieve. The case is often quoted as a justifica- tion for lynching. It is not true to say that there has been in recent years any diminution of lynching and mob-violence. Quite the contrary, these things show themselves on the
increase. The very fact that, as Mr. Hackett says; the Republican Party won its great victory in the Presidential election with a "strong anti-lynching plank" in its party platform shows how the minds of decent people in America are outraged by these happenings. It was certainly remark- able that for the Democratic candidate Cox there voted only the lynching States. And I said in my book that the political hope of the negro must lie in the coming triumph of the
Republican Party.—I am, Sir, &c., STEPHEN GRAHAM.. 60 Frith Street, Soho Square, T V. I.
Previous page
