Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-03-20
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Whether there are such organ'zanons
in existence Is more than we know.
There are some reasons why men should
associate Cor the defense OF their natural
and inalienable rights, when these are
not duly protected by law. A people,
educated in the notion that they are free
men, will be likely enough 10 become
FESTIVE at being badly governed BY
usurpers aud interiors. Whether the
tyran, Government, over men once free
be Of many heads or one, il must at least
take good care Of the public peace, and
see that individual rights are sufficiently
protected, or it will fnd the limit OF Its
power. The very worm will turn on
its destroyer, and there is that which
flesh and blood will not bear. Msn
may bear i'll government, and even
bad government for time, but
there is a limit to human endurance,
which the would-be Cssars will do well
to remember, lest they 6ud their Brusus
II is in the nature Of things that men
who have lost all else should seek liberty
in resistance TO unjust laws, taxation
which brushes all prosperity, aud bad
administration aud oppression which
even Nero or c aligula would be prudent
enough not to venture on the most de-
based people under the sun. Deprive any
people of the liberty to prosper in the
peaceful pursuits Of industry, and the
limits of endurance will be passed. There
are obligations which men owe to society,
but there are also rights which they never
will surrender.
We have said that II a new secret or
ganization for selfprotection exists in
our midst we are not apprised of it. But
If it does, the present rulers of the State
will do we'll to look to its cause, as well
as to the proper remedy. The iron rule
is not likely to be efficient against men
heavily oppressed against natural JUS
tice. differentiation will not be sup
pressed in such circumstances short of
removal of its cause. Let that be re-
moved, and let good government begin,
even by them who are distasteful to the
masses, and irregularities need not be
feared, and probably will have no exist
ence.
We counsel good government and
obedience to law. They must go hand
in hand. We abhor the establishment of
all irregular, Illegal and irresponsible or
for the purpose of lynch law.
When government is so we'll administered
as to be even tolerable, every good citi-
zen should use ak his influence and
power to put them down. But we also
abhor all tyrannies, and, more than all,
that which, while it is efficient for the de-
struction of a peoples prosperity, is in
sufficient for the public protection
against criminals and crimes. A gov
eminent which will not do its own duty
has no right to require that the people
should do theirs. And, while it respects
not their rights, it has no good reason for
expecting that its own will be respected.
If the organization referred to exists,
it is the outgrowth of the revolution of
1868, and not of that of 1915. If it
exists, as suspected, for the purpose of
mutual protection, it is because the
people feel that the time has come when
they are driven to the necessity of pro-
tecting themselves. We encourage no
illegal acts Such as are in necessary
self-defense are not illegal. Whether
such cause shall exist, and such reme-
dies be applied, rests with rulers rather
than with the ruled. We are confident
that better government will at once give
better order, And that when outrages
cease, resistance will cease with them.
a.