Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-04-15
nEsardera in RObesOns

Disorders
The Lumberton R06es0nian regrets to
notice that in some quarters there is dis
position to give to the troubles in that
county political complexion. That paper
says:
ssIt NAV be true that these men are members
of the loyal league. It may be true that they
vote the Radical ticket in our eectlons put IL Is
not true that they are influenced by polltlca con
alterations in their depredations upon persons
and property, or in their selection OF vlctlms 10
their cupidity and lust ,-
These are deprecated alike by all GOOD cltlzens,
of whatever party, and their depredauons are
committed upon person ana PfGperty oL ~ a 4er
less than the Conservative it is not because their
politicai associations afford them any protection,
but because they generally nave less 70 leinp'
the cupidity of the robbers.
We know not whether this reference is
intended for the JOURNAL or not, we
have spoken of the troubles in Robson
several times in connection with the partl-
san conduct Of the Governor, but we have
never given them the political complexion
in the sense in which the R0besOnld1a
speaks. On the contrary we have always
drawn the marked distinction between the
disorders in Alanance and Robeson-that
the latter originated in spirit OF mallgnl-
~ and avarice, while the former resulted
from q disposition to retaliate for crimes
committed. We have referred to them to
show the difference in the actions of the
Governor toward his political friends and
foes.
In Alamance good citizens of one politi-
cal party have been drawn into a violation
Of law to protect themselves against criml-
mails of another political party, who have
been led into the committal of acts of vio-
lence and blood through political preju-
dices, engendered in political associations
and urged on by political leaders. In
Robson bad men, who happen to belong
10 one political party, party which natur-
ally attracts to its ranks the Ignorant and
depraved, plumber and burn and murder
merely for the sake of plumber and malice.
The Governor acts promptly and vigorous
" against the men in Alamance who
could be made to respect the law and
its officers, if the officers would show
respect for the law and for them
selves; while he displays no DISPOSE
ton to arrest the band Of outlaws
and murderers in Robson. In the one
case by perversion of facts he can make
political capital, while in the other capital
would be made against his party. In the
one he can only give vent to his personal
and political prejudices in the other he
might be able to do something for the pro-
lection of the citizens He panders to the
former he is regardless Of the latter
We have referred to the disorders in
Robson in political view only so far as
the action of Governor HOLDEN is concern
ed. We know that the outlaws respect no
party in their operations, nor is there any
division among good people in their wish
and efforts to bring them to justice. But
this fact but reflects more upon the parti-
san conduct of the Governor. We do not
know that he would be justified by the con-
ditioE of affairs to interfere in Robson !;
we know from the statement of the Sheriff
that he is not justified in bis course toward
Alamance. He has not complied with the
legal requirements, even if the facts justi-
fed his action, but laws and constitutions
are matters of secondary consideration in
these times. Expediency-party expe-
diency-selfsh motives, are too frequently
the main springs of official action.