It also warns us as a race to furnish no crime that provokes lynching; for when lynching once gets started, guilty and innocent alike will suffer, and crimes both great and small will be punished alike.
"In regard to the lynching of our Comrade Cook, I have this to say.

Every feature connected with that crime but emphasizes its heinousness.

Cook was a quiet, unassuming, gentlemanly being, enjoying the respect of all in a remarkable degree.

Having wronged no one he was unconscious of having enemies.

His wife and loving little ones had retired to rest and were enjoying the deep sleep of the innocent.