Gov. Bradley's Utterance
December 21, 1895
Summary
The newly inaugurated governor of Kentucky speaks out against lynchings and injustice in the black community.
Transcription
Hon. W. O. Bradley, the Republican Governor-elect has been inaugurated and in his admirable address took a positive stand against lynching and the lynchers. His language has the true ring about it. Here is what he says:
“Above all things, the constitution and laws within its spirit must be enforced. Every citizen shall be protected in life, liberty and property at whatever cost. I solemnly appeal to the people in every locality, and to the officers of the State for a faithful, energetic and fearless enforcement of the law. Nothing can be more effective in the suppression of crime than the cultivation and expression of a healthy public sentiment which will hold in just execration every criminal; more especially the murderer and assassin. Mob violence (which has its home in the breasts of cowards) should be prevented at all hazards, and if committed, should be properly and severely punished. Such action is an open declaration of want of confidence in the courts and instead of promoting does serious injury to the welfare of the State. The commission of crime to punish crime can find no apologist in a Christian civilization.”
Well said Governor Bradley! And again:
“I shall do right, as God enables me to see the right; be just, as He enables me to determine what is just and by the love that I cherish for the State of my birth, do all that within me lies to advance her prosperity, enforce her laws, protect her citizens and maintain her honor, remembering always that I am not the governor of a party but of all the people.”
“Above all things, the constitution and laws within its spirit must be enforced. Every citizen shall be protected in life, liberty and property at whatever cost. I solemnly appeal to the people in every locality, and to the officers of the State for a faithful, energetic and fearless enforcement of the law. Nothing can be more effective in the suppression of crime than the cultivation and expression of a healthy public sentiment which will hold in just execration every criminal; more especially the murderer and assassin. Mob violence (which has its home in the breasts of cowards) should be prevented at all hazards, and if committed, should be properly and severely punished. Such action is an open declaration of want of confidence in the courts and instead of promoting does serious injury to the welfare of the State. The commission of crime to punish crime can find no apologist in a Christian civilization.”
Well said Governor Bradley! And again:
“I shall do right, as God enables me to see the right; be just, as He enables me to determine what is just and by the love that I cherish for the State of my birth, do all that within me lies to advance her prosperity, enforce her laws, protect her citizens and maintain her honor, remembering always that I am not the governor of a party but of all the people.”
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Cord Fox
Citation
“Gov. Bradley's Utterance,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed October 9, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1509.