Reader, pray do not be a fool and say this story is fiction. Would
that part of it was! But the treatment I received by the mob on that
terrible night is the most natural and easiest thing in the world
under the present conditions of society. It may happen to you, and
worse, anytime, in any town, village or city, from Boston to Texas--for
humanity is the same wherever you go.
Woodbur and Bilkson arrived at the village of Jamison at eight o’clock
on that Saturday evening. They called on the shoemaker, who was a
justice of the peace, showed him their warrants for the arrest of
“John Doe” and “Mary Roe,” supposed to be secreted in a log house in
a certain woods two miles away. They desired to surround the house at
three o’clock in the morning and capture the inmates, who were said to
be desperate characters.
The shoemaker J. P. put on his specs, read the warrant with a great
show of wisdom, said of course he would help make the capture, and so
would his son Tom.
Tom was called in, told the circumstances, and requested to engage the
services of two or three trusty men to go along. “But, Tom, mind you
keep the matter quiet,” wound up the shoemaker.
So Tom promised, and of course told confidentially every one he saw
that the “cranky old man and stuck up woman” they had seen, who lived
in Smith’s log house up in the clearing, were escaped murderers, and
that all who wanted to help make the capture must be at the tavern at
three o’clock Sunday morning. Now excitement is a scarce article in
country towns, and mankind is ever greedy for it; so at three o’clock
the select male population of Jamison was at the tavern--mind you not
bad people either, just good, plain, homely, honest citizens. Most of
them would have been terribly insulted if you had hinted that they were
not Christians.
I told you only one man out of fifty thinks, that the rest have no
opinions but those furnished by parents, preachers and sophistical
politicians. I do not say these opinions are error necessarily, but
that they are simply borrowed. Having received this second-hand
opinion, they will dig over the whole earth for reasons and excuses
to defend it, honestly thinking the while they are in search of
truth--mere followers of a bell-wether.
Bilkson just at this time was the aforesaid bell-wether. Someone said
this man and woman were criminals (there is the opinion); therefore
they must be--in fact, there was no proof to the contrary. Then they
began to back up the opinion which had been so skilfully injected
into them. They remembered certain blasphemous remarks of the man,
for had he not said, “I am the son of God, and all men may be if
they claim their heritage,”--“I have divine rights by reason of
heavenly parentage,”--“A church is no more sacred than a blacksmith
shop,”--“Sunday is no more holy than any other day, and a preacher’s
calling no more sacred than a farmer’s,”--“No man by dying can wipe out
the sins of others, but every man is a savior of his race who lashes
himself to the mast of righteousness” etc.?
“Just as if there is any sense,” said the blacksmith, “in lashing one’s
self to the mast except to save one’s self! He is a Catholic, too,
for didn’t he say he not only worshiped Jesus but also His mother?”
And another declared he had heard him say he not only worshiped the
Virgin Mary, but all good women who conceived good thoughts and had
high and holy aspirations. Then someone had asked him what worship was,
and he said it “was not an act of the body, like going to a church
and kneeling, but only that state of mind where the worshiper thought
of the person or being worshiped with profound respect, good-will and
love.”
The simple country people were very sure that any man who held such
heretical beliefs was a rascal or worse, and being about like other
people at the time, were honest in the belief that a man who rejects
the Trinity cannot have much respect for the Ten Commandments. So they
were glad of an opportunity to assist in ridding the community of a man
who was endangering the religious faith of the young. In short, the man
was corrupting the youth of Athens and must go.
On this particular occasion Bilkson was leader, for when a man assumes
leadership and calls in a loud voice “Fall in everybody,” he is never
without a following.
The persistent advertiser in trade is a self-appointed leader, and
if he talks big and keeps his promise passably well, he can hold his
followers for a time at least.
If you would go well-dressed, smiling, serene and confident, to the
homes of any of these mobbers, they would acknowledge your superiority;
and if you were only firm and plausible, they would grant you any favor
and lend you any assistance you desired. You are leader then--not
Bilkson. But woe betide you if cold, naked, a-hungered, you fall
famishing on their doorsteps, and at the same time some Bilkson
happens to point the finger of suspicion in your direction. You
have no “inflooence.” “Inflooence” is king not only with Straight,
superintendents of schools, and other politicians, but also in society
and church. He who subscribes the largest amount to the pastor’s
salary has the most to say in the management of the church, and if
he becomes displeased he threatens to “come out,” (the “come outers”
are numerous), and adds, “You know that if I go I do not go alone.”
Thus does he shake his “inflooence” over us as a club, and we cringe,
explain, apologize, and the fear that the big subscriber will tramp out
with heavy tread, numerous following and fierce black looks, disappears
as we see the great man placated by our abject attitude.
Fear of losing the favor of people of influence keeps men respectful
and decent when nothing else will.
“Inflooence” is first cousin to Mrs. Grundy. Inflooence is king--Mrs.
Grundy queen.
Note you how some men leave their quiet and virtuous homes where Mrs.
Grundy’s goggle eyes are on every side, and go to New York where
Mrs. Grundy is not watching them. How intent they are on seeing the
“elephant,” and how they do buy green goods and gold bricks! Great is
“Inflooence”--great is Mrs. Grundy!
A grimy tramp with thick neck and knotty club possesses “inflooence.”
His wishes in rural districts at least are often respected.
Now you are a woman. You may be free from guilt and you may not, but
if you are purity itself--sorrowfully do I say it!--in the year of
Our Lord, 1891, innocence is not a sufficient shield; and if you are
weak, weary and footsore, from the miles and miles you have come down
through years of injustice, and the crowd is pressing you close with
intent to stone you, it is a miracle if from out the mob there steps
the commanding figure of a man, and raising his hand aloft to warn them
back, says in a voice not loud but which all can hear,
“Let him who is without sin cast the first stone!”