Maintaining the Law
May 5, 1894
Summary
A black man is found guilty of raping a white girl, and the governor is allowing his sentence to death as per the constitution of Virginia.
Transcription
Thank God! After four long years of waiting we again have a Governor of this state who regards an oath, and regardless of his personal feeling in the matter will do his sworn duty.
Lawrence Spiller, a colored man stands charged with the heinous crime of rape and murder. A white girl was the victim.
If he is guilty, he is a fiend who deserves no consideration at the hands of the law, and the sooner the earth is rid of him the better.
If innocent, he should be immediately set free.
Our position with reference to such matters is too well known to need comment here.
Any man, be he black or white, guilty of rape should be hanged, but it must be done by the due process of law.
We do not unduly sympathize with the wrong-doers of our race; but we insist that the guarantee in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of Virginia shall be rigidly enforced.
If any one thinks that Governor O’Ferrall has other than the bitterest feeling towards the perpetrator of such a heinous crime because be ordered troops to Staunton he is mistaken. He was left no alternative. His vow was registered in heaven and he realized that is the Great Beyond he must render an account of his stewardship.
The law can be trusted to mete merited punishment, and men, frenzied with passion are held back by the mighty exercise of military power in order that the people of the world may see all the beauty of the workings of our system of government in that deserved punishment can be speedily administered.
Had the Chief Executive then occupying the gubernatorial chair been equally as prompt in the display of a sufficient military force numbers of precious lives would have been spared and a conscientious Mayor would not now be ostracised and an order loving Captain made an exile from the city of his adoption...
Lawrence Spiller, a colored man stands charged with the heinous crime of rape and murder. A white girl was the victim.
If he is guilty, he is a fiend who deserves no consideration at the hands of the law, and the sooner the earth is rid of him the better.
If innocent, he should be immediately set free.
Our position with reference to such matters is too well known to need comment here.
Any man, be he black or white, guilty of rape should be hanged, but it must be done by the due process of law.
We do not unduly sympathize with the wrong-doers of our race; but we insist that the guarantee in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of Virginia shall be rigidly enforced.
If any one thinks that Governor O’Ferrall has other than the bitterest feeling towards the perpetrator of such a heinous crime because be ordered troops to Staunton he is mistaken. He was left no alternative. His vow was registered in heaven and he realized that is the Great Beyond he must render an account of his stewardship.
The law can be trusted to mete merited punishment, and men, frenzied with passion are held back by the mighty exercise of military power in order that the people of the world may see all the beauty of the workings of our system of government in that deserved punishment can be speedily administered.
Had the Chief Executive then occupying the gubernatorial chair been equally as prompt in the display of a sufficient military force numbers of precious lives would have been spared and a conscientious Mayor would not now be ostracised and an order loving Captain made an exile from the city of his adoption...
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Right Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Carlos Serrano
Citation
“Maintaining the Law,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed May 12, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1544.