, 1873-06-24


THE POLICY OF INTIMIDATION.
Some days ago wo reprinted an article from |
the Alodo (1n.) Bannor relative to species Of
intimidation adopted by somo OF tho partisans
Of A1r. oraig in tho Into Judicial election in the
Fifth District. Wo reprint to~day another arti-
clio from tho Hamo journal, along with lottor
from one of Its subscribers discontinuing his
papor "as soon aa tho new postago Inv takes
oifoct which indicates that this policy is to be
maintained in somo quarters. It will be seen
that tho editor Of tho Aledo Banner does not
scare worth q cent. It will also bo soen tint ho
occupies a thoroughly consistent and defensiblo
position. by which he is willing to stand or fall.
Tho relations between tho A1odo Banner
and MIR. Wlnger give fair illustration
of tho danger that threatens the farmere'
movement viz: That Of FILLING to rocognizo
honesty, yirtuo, or opposition to monopoly In
any one who refuses to applaud and indorao tho
most e1trome measures that anybody else can
invons. For instance, prescribing any ono who
opposes tho policy OF making tho decislons Of
courtB subordinate to the docreos Of town
meetings.
Tie opposition Of the Aletlo Banner to monop-
oily has been AZ steadfast ~ that Of any journal
IN 1tlinols, and it dctios ita withdrawing sub
scribor. or anybody o1so. to point TO line in
iss columns which mny be Justly construed
Otherwise. THO single ononso OF tho journal
waa supporting Judge Lawrence for reelection,
on tho ground that ho was more trust
worthy opponent Of monopoly than q
man who would consent to DO q candi-
date on d platform which undertook to
interpret the law. For this, it seems, tho A1edo
Banner and scmo other papers in tho district
are to be "spotted," just aB certain pcraons on
election dny threatened to "apot the merchants
who did not vote for Craig, and to Withdraw
their custom on this account Tho Banner pro-
poses to abide by this issue and to stand or fall
upon tho ground it has taken. Wlatovor may bo
tho temporary disposition OF a certain class OF
tho people, or into whatever extromes aud out
ragcs they may DO betrayed by their passions and
false leaders, it Is on tho side Of tho INV, inor~
preted by Independent, unplodgod Judges,
Tho law is broad enough not only to pro-
tect the people against tho e1tortion aud abuses
Of tho monopolistH, but also to protoct them
against tho follios that thoy themselves may
commit In moments of blind rage. Violenco
may stop in for q timo aud assert superior
strength, but it will be followed by no othor ro-
suits than punishment for those who commit 1t,
and tho rcaasertion Of tho Inv after uaeless
eaoriflce Of timo aud temper,
When any c1ass Of people acok to change the i'm
partial character Of the judiciary they enter upon
path that leals to either doBpotism or anarchy
The next stop Is that Of prescription, which, as
| 1t appears, has actually been taken by some Of
those who succeeded in oloctiug q class candi-
! date to tho Supreme Court. Prescription and
| intimidation have but ono outcome. In a mon-
archy, thoy load to absolute despotism In reyo-
luton, thoy lead to Jacobiniam or Communism !;
| In a republic, they may load to other Of those
results; but, in evory case, they moan Il loss Of
liberty and tho nubjoction of tho weaker to tho
stronger Just now, tho farmers may bo tho
stronger and, whom thoy undertake to
elect representative Judgos on their own
platforms, they may succeed, but for every
Judge bought with votes thero will DO
two bought with money. So, in tho way OF
prescription, tho 1andless will aomo day make
tho landowners regret that they ever stepped
upon tllis dangerous ground. Tho course Of the
French Revolution WIS ike that Of q herd Of
bufralooB, whcro thoae In tho roar arc forever
pushing those In front over prooip1ce. It Ia
not at all impossible that tho Laborora aud Mala
may got tho upper hand Of tho Husbaudmon anil
AIatroua yet. Thoy will DO very likely to do so
ii they aro taught that law Is nero question Of
numbers, and that decisions Of courts aro to 10
mado and unmade ut the ballot-box. There IL
% yet no n,oans Of knowing to Wlat oxtont tho
policy may 30 which has 30 fer been charao-
actcrlzod by oloottng Judge Oh o platform. by
"spotting" mon ut tho polls, by prescribing
country newspapers, aud by other spocioa Of tn
timidation. We only know that cycry now stop
taken in this direction H nearer to danger, lil
which tho farmers, as all industrious, hardwork-
Ing, conscientious but aomewhat misguided class
Of people, who have heretofore found protection