Preface

The greater part of what is contained in these pages was published in the New York Age June 25, 1892, in explanation of the editorial which the Memphis whites considered sufficiently infamous to justify the destruction of my paper, the Free Speech.

Most of what appears in these pages was published in the New York Age on June 25, 1892. It explained the editorial that Memphis whites considered infamous enough to justify destroying my paper, the Free Speech.

Since the appearance of that statement, requests have come from all parts of the country that "Exiled" (the name under which it then appeared) be issued in pamphlet form. Some donations were made, but not enough for that purpose. The noble effort of the ladies of New York and Brooklyn Oct. 5 have enabled me to comply with this request and give the world a true, unvarnished account of the causes of lynch law in the South.

Since that statement appeared, people from all parts of the country have requested that it be published as a pamphlet. It appeared under the name "Exiled". Some donations were made, but not enough to publish it. The noble efforts of the women of New York and Brooklyn on Oct. 5 have enabled me to meet this request. I can now give the world a true, unvarnished account of the causes of lynching in the South.

This statement is not a shield for the despoiler of virtue, nor altogether a defense for the poor blind Afro-American Sampsons who suffer themselves to be betrayed by white Delilahs. It is a contribution to truth, an array of facts, the perusal of which it is hoped will stimulate this great American Republic to demand that justice be done though the heavens fall.

This statement does not excuse the violator of a woman's virtue. Nor does it fully defend the poor, blind Black Sampsons who allow themselves to be betrayed by white Delilahs. It is a contribution to truth, a collection of facts. It is hoped that reading these facts will stir this great American Republic to demand justice, even if the heavens fall.

It is with no pleasure I have dipped my hands in the corruption here exposed. Somebody must show that the Afro-American race is more sinned against than sinning, and it seems to have fallen upon me to do so. The awful death-roll that Judge Lynch is calling every week is appalling, not only because of the lives it takes, the rank cruelty and outrage to the victims, but because of the prejudice it fosters and the stain it places against the good name of a weak race.

I take no pleasure in exposing the corruption described here. Someone must show that Black Americans are more sinned against than sinning. It seems that task has fallen to me. The terrible death toll Judge Lynch calls out each week is appalling. It is appalling not only because of the lives lost and the shocking cruelty and violence inflicted on the victims. It is also appalling because of the prejudice it encourages and the stain it leaves on the good name of a weak race.

The Afro-American is not a bestial race. If this work can contribute in any way toward proving this, and at the same time arouse the conscience of the American people to a demand for justice to every citizen, and punishment by law for the lawless, I shall feel I have done my race a service. Other considerations are of minor importance.

Black people are not a beastly race. If this work helps prove that, I will feel I have served my race. It must also stir the conscience of the American people to demand justice for every citizen and legal punishment for those who break the law. Everything else is less important.

To the Afro-American women of New York and Brooklyn, whose race love, earnest zeal and unselfish effort at Lyric Hall, in the City of New York, on the night of October 5, 1892—made possible its publication, this pamphlet is gratefully dedicated by the author.

The author gratefully dedicates this pamphlet to the Black women of New York and Brooklyn. Their love for their race, dedication, and selfless efforts made its publication possible. They showed these qualities at Lyric Hall in New York City on the night of October 5, 1892.