The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1861-08-03
M0B0CRACY.


There are two grand and distinctive
features OF society. order and disorder,
law and mobocracy; aud the tendency
Of every act of individuals or commu-
mites il towards one or the other OF
these an,agonistic conditions; there is
really no middle ground though at first
view there might seem to BE-; for every
act bears its legitimate fruit .eilher good
or 3s1
From these premises. which have the
sanclion of human reason and Of the
Divine Mind, the most important con
sequences naturally grow; and what
At first may appear harmless. or even
iustifable, oa closer examination will
be found the reverse of these and most
unfortunate in its results.
In view of these things it becomes
every one who desires good order IN
society aud the safety OF his family.
himself or his property. to be careful o.
his own doings. in all things where
there is not clearly defined certainty
of being in the right. Nor must men,
who are always liable TO he swerved OF
blinded by interest or sel6shness. be
The sole judges OF their own rights OF
wrongs.
In new countries there are many
things which have tendency to de-
velop the spirit Of mobocracy. How
often, in the history of the borders, have
Ne the history of tie combination OF
men into leagues called ''Regulaiors. :"
COMMITTEES of Safety" .'visiiants. .
and many other names which this class
Of association. assume. Indeed, our
whole border history is full Of these
organizations and their unlawful deeds.
They usually commence on the plea Of
self-detense. or some other apparent
necessity growing out Of the exigencies
OF the times; bu, almost invariably the
Grst plea or object is speedily lost sight
Of, aud wha, may have been designed
as a blessing and bulwark to defend
our rights, becomes a monstrosity and
an engine OF tyranny and oppression.
II is safe to put down all attempts to
take the law into their own hands BY
individuals. or combinations of in4iyi
duals. as dangerous and much to BE-
feared. even ,hough h they may have the
appearance Of justice and be designed
to maintain and defend the right
There are few exceptions to this rule
As where. in any given community. the
lawless have either a majority or SO
large minority as 10 defeat the ends
Of Justice und render the execution of
the Law a nullity. A case of this Kind
occurred in the early history Of Ohio
in and around Ross county, where
horse thieves became SO numerous aud
the organization of villains so exten-
sive. that no jury could be empanneled
without having some secre. and un-
Known members of the gang among The
twelve. aud thus by perjury was the
Law rendered Of NO avail The honest
portion of community had no recourse
but 10 band together aud shoot down
every man caught stealing horses. In
this way the hest was soon broken up.
We have in Kansas some organiza-
,ions- for tho protection OF settlers
ssa;sst the power OF capital. leagues
Of .:squatters to defend each other
ia their claims lest mcnied men
take advantage Of the need Of set
tiers and deprive them Of their labors
This may be necessay. it doMo,less is to
a grea, extent: bat every lover Of good
order should see that these orgsniza-
tions 60 no, one step. ay. not one inch
beyond their legitimate and needfal use.
We hear it reported that Capt. Mont
gonserys. notorious in the southern pat
of the State. is out ON marauding ex-
petition. and engaged in a general sys-
tenn Of plunder. We have learned 10
disirust reports coming through certain
sources. and do not know whether this
one is entitled 10 credit; but Isesuning
i, to be true. doubtless Montgomery
jns,ifes himself on the plea of retslia-
ton. lie may have suffered much. for
aught We know he may have had grca,
injustice done him; but these things do |
no. justify him in taking, the Law in bis
own hands and robbing others. because
he has been robbed. a Rt
Oar own people may be tempted to
remember the early history Of Kansas,
and feel like 'parins tue Border Ruff
ans back in their own coin," now that
large numbers Of them have turued