Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-06-09
Law andorder VS.. Revolution.


received, furnish occasion for reflection upon
the character of our institutions, and their
adaptabiiity to tho circumstances and the cou
dition OF the people Of a country, growing in
population aud in wealth, like the Unitcd
States. If there is good reason for the action
taken by the people of New Orleans now,
and for the similar proceeding in San Fran
cisco not many months ago, if these proceed
ing can be defended on the plea Of necessity,
in order to prevent crime, ard 10 protect
society, then We say frankly aud in all sin
cerity, our system Of Government is failure,
and must sooner or later give place to a
stronger and more concentrated form Of ad-
minsteriDg the laws, and maintaining public
justice.
When society becomes so corrupt, and
crime so far goes UNPUBLISHED that good men,
the friends of order aud Of public virtue are
obliged to depose the public authorities and
10 usurp power for Se!fp protection, the day of
Revolution has come, and the government
which for more than three quarters Of a &c o.
fury has been oar pride, and which for a
large proportion Of that period has chal'
leuged the admiration OF the world, has
ceased to perform its functions, and 40 longer
deserves the confidence which has been re.
posed IN it.
There is no such thing as 4 Revolution, in
aid of the law, and Of Government. When
men assume an attitude Of hostility to eyisting
authorities, they do 80 in subverslon OF the
Government under which they live. 1t is
idle to talk Of deposing the ministers of the
law, for the purpose OF restoring order, and
preventing crime Let this be recognized as
a just and proper proceeding, and every am
bilious man, every disappointed aspiranratter
power, may easily fad IN excuse for sub
verting the constitute AUTHORITIES, and setting
up a rule of his own.
The apology for revolutions is always tie
charge Of bad government, 0! a lax admins
tra:ion Of justice, failure TO protect the
rights, the lives and tae property OF the peo-
pie. Ii that reason can avail for the usurpa-
ton of power by Vigilance Committee in
New Orleans, it may hold equally good 10 New
York, in Baltimore, 10 Louisville, in Washing.
ton, or anywhere where vice and immortality
prevail, and where the laws have failed to mete
out due punishment to Offenders. There is
no halting place, no middle ground between
law and order on the Ole hand, and reVolu-
ton on the other. Let the act at San Fran
cisco aud at New Orleans meet with approval
through ,ut the Union, and we are In no wise
better of as a nation, in point OF political
power and stable government, than the South
American and the Central American States.
Every ambitious, unpr!ncipled man will have
full lIceuce 30 incite Il revolution, and his
power will only be limited by The degree OF
Influence which his talents, his money and
other adventurous circumstances may enable
him TO command.
| The American people must PIT their seal
OF condemnation at once, and with emphasis,
upon all proceedings calculated to subvcrt
| the lenal and legitimate authorities, whether
in national, State, municipal or township
affairs. Puhic order must be maintained
THROUGH the legitimate and legal authorities
| Ii extraordinary means are required to ferret
! ont and punish crime, II the o'hcer- OF the
! law are weak, corrupt or incompetent: II, IN
! short the efforts of the friends OF order and
| of peace are demanded 20 protect society from
| injury and from danger, let them be made IN
coni junction With the public authorities, and
not in defiance of them; in aid Of the officers
of Justice, and not in resistance to their com
mands.
We do not stop to inquire into the causes
Of the present alarming posture OF affairs IN
New Orleans. II is sufficient to know that
an attempt is made to override the leSaI
forms o: Government, and to place power IN
the hands of irresponsible, nnau'hOrscd and
self constituted parties; 70 denver up the lives
and the property of the citizens, TO the mer
cy of men who act under no legal restraint
and acknowledge no law as a guide to their
action. These facts alone are sufficient fol-
every good citizen to promo unce condemna
ton upon the mOnstrous assumption, and &c
ioin in invoking upon the head OF the wlliu
violators Of law, the speedest retributive JUS
tice.
We do not for a moment subscribe to the
doctriae implied in an approval OF the un!aw
ful acts upon which we are commenilng.-
We do not believe that our Republican Gov
eminent has fulfilled its mission, or that II
has ceased to afford protection II those who
Gondly trust u cur institutions Tor safety Il
property and life 1t We are correct, then II
behooyes every good citizen. TO dlscOunten
ance on al proper occasions, the spirit VI VIC
lence upon which such proceedings are oascu
and especially does it become the newspaper
press to use its whole power and influence, 10
behalf of public order, and the rigld enforce
ment of law by the proper authorities.
1t is said that disorders Of an alarming
character prevail in New Orleans, and thai
,bc city authorities are inefficient and neon
petent. If this be so, let their hands b'
strengthened. II they are corrupt let The
citizens who would preserve the rights o
the people. and enforce the laws, in body
demand such action as shall ensure the dc
sired result: bat le, all things BE- done law
rnlly and subordinate to the legal oothoriti"s
THIS is the only way to accomplish the 90
iect which oil good men seek, and for whict
all good citizens will labor.-N. !. Jo'". .
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