"Also with a gambler who was put
ashore here from a river packet and subsequently became involved
in a dispute with a late citizen of this place touching the
number of aces in a pack of cards. It is not for me to
criticize! What I may term the spontaneous love of justice is
the brightest heritage of a free people. It is this same
commendable ability to acquit ourselves of our obligations that
is making us the wonder of the world! But don't let us forget
the law--of which it is an axiom, that it is not the severity of
punishment, but the certainty of it, that holds the wrong-doer in
check! With this safe and commodious asylum the plow line can
remain the exclusive aid to agriculture. If a man murders, curb
your natural impulse! Give him a fair trial, with eminent
counsel!" The judge tried not to look self-conscious when he
said this. "If he is found guilty, I still say, don't lynch him!
Why? Because by your hasty act you deny the public the elevating
and improving spectacle of a legal execution!" When the applause
had died out, a lank countryman craning his neck for a sight of
the sheriff, bawled out over the heads of the crowd:
"Where's your nigger? We want to put him in here!"
"I reckon he's gone fishin'. I never seen the beat of that
nigger to go fishin'," said the sheriff.
"Whoop! Ain't you goin' to put him in here?" yelled the
countryman.
"It's a mighty lonely spot for a nigger," said the sheriff
doubtingly.
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