Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-23
An oasis in the Desert-A Republican
Journal the
OF Democratic Papers by the Radi-
Gals of ats Own Party.

From the Eaton (ohio) Register, Republican, of the 18th
The Office of the Jeifersoniau, at Richmond
Ind, was "cieaned out by some two hundred
paroled soldiers. who were detained by a misun-
Outstanding with the railroad company. aud ob-
liged TO wait over on their way home. Finding a
copy of the Jeffersonian, containing sentiments
which were distaStetul To them, thew proceeded
Immediately to take the law into their own hands
by destroying the Office. liz connection with the
mobbing of Medary's Crisis. and following so
hard upon that outrage. it compels a question,
and involves a principle demanding our most seri
Gus attention. What the p%ecuniary damage may
have been is but a small matter. The moral deg
radiation implied in an attack of that kind is a
cause of alarm. What may have been the Offense
of Medary or the Jeffersonian is not to the point.
Americans have long enjoyed the eighteenth
century to very little purpose. if the light and
progress have not taught them that, at any time.
under any circumstances. with whatever provoca-
ton, or for whatever crime, mob law is an insane
resort. 10 is Rerer right
1t is uHmaRIy. Two hundred excited soldiers
to attack an unarmed and unprotected man.
Ii is dishonest The wantOn destruction of hard
earned property Is in il.
IL is unjust. No hydra headed. irresponsible
mob. hall crazy with rum, is a proper judge in any
matter.
1t is futile. If any man i~magines that pro-
ceediugs of such a kind foster LOYAL sentiments.
or in any wise assist the Government, we beg him
to dismiss the idea. Loyalty. by its derivation,
is submission 10 law. Let not loyal men, there
fore. imagine that because the fierce passions OF
the mob have been this time directed against
sheets with which they have no sympathy, the
matter is aside from their duty or interest. There
is no law, but utter lawleSSness; no loyalty, but
disloyalty to every principle of good government.
in mobocrdtic outrages.
While it works no good result, it inevitably
runs to evil and disaster. Aud thas by the very
nature oil the case. Sin must work misery. And
it will. While human nature is weak and wicked
enough to resort to such measures, other human
nature will not be slow to- remember that the
sudden alarm, and with it, perchance, the mid
night torch. are a sword of double edge. They
will not stop to think that when both edges are
cutting, i, is civil war; nay. more. household war,
street war. neigLbOrly collision, tnmult, blood
reign Of terror.
The feature in both cases alluded to, demands
instant attention The parties engaged were pa
rolled soldiers. Men sworn To- allegiance to their
Government are found using the arms and equip
ments Of the Government to take the administra
ton OF law out Ot the hands of the Government.
How i0 We know, who can tell. which man of us
in Eaton may 6ni himself the victim of revenge
on the part ot a soldier who may persuade his
comrades 10 telprhim on in the attainment of his
own private ends?
1t may seem almost a work Of supererogation
to say So much on plain. well settled matters OF
long established truihs-priuciples that all the
world is familiar with. and that nobody denies
but the times seem to- demand it.
Ii is said by Mr.. Ferguson. as we heard it
that threats were made at Rich DOnd of a visit
here for the purpose of deStra ying the property
of the Press. 1t is, therefore. our business
Should any evil result from these threats, the
community will bear in mind that the Register
warned them. aud exhorted every man. as one
soul. to resist TO the last any such application OF
drunken frenzy among Us.
If any man thinks in his conscience that the
Press is an unfit paper to be published, let him,
like a man, and OH his own responsibility, accuse
Mr.. Ferguson before the proner authority, and
prove his ease, or failing in that, take the conse
quences. But no mob in Eaton.