New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-05-10
STAND BY THE POLICE F!

STAND BY The POLICE
The occurrences of the last few dayt
satisfy Us that there is an attempt on thu
part of certain politicians to destroy thu
public confidence in the police force, and
if possible, impair their efficiency as de-
Tenders Of the public order. To that enc
every little offense,. every burglary, and
irregularity of whatsoever nature, has
been seized upon by reporters, who have
doubtless been instructed for the purpose,
and rushed into print with startling head
lines, and accompanied with palpable
] exaggerations. In every case. too, there
is apparent disposition to screen the
real offenders, and throw all the blame
upon the party upon whom alone
the citizen can rely for protection
to his life and property-the police
authorities. We believe there is a
conspiracy on foot to destroy public
confidence in the ability of the police
to discharge their duty. This will afford
an excuse, or pretext to form so-called
vigilance committees, for the ostensible
purpose of aiding the police, but really
for far different and entirely illegal
object. AS part Of the plan, report
appears now that the "citizens of the
Second and Third Districts have formed
themselves into vigilance committee for
the better protection of their homes and
property" If this statement be true in
all its parts, it implies that all the citizens
of the districts named have thus enrolled
themselves. AS there are many thousands
of them, they constitute very large and
formidable army, aggregated together, to
do what? To repel an overwhelming
force that threatens to override them all?
TO repel the incursions of foe too strong
for the ordinary means Of defense? Not
at all. 1t lis done ostensibly for the purpose
of catching a few alleged sneak thieves
whose reported exploits have formed the
staple literature Of our "famiiy journals"
uuIluS tuo pdSt TWO WcthS.
Some cases have occurred in which the
patrolmen have been wanting in vigilance,
but none in which the police have been
overpowered by house-breakers or been
unable to make an arrest of suspected
person. Hence there is no possible reason
for disturbing the good citizens of any
part of the town, to come out in force,
with arms and ropes against hidden foe,
weak in force in consequence Of their in
significance in numbers. But the forma-
ton of vigilance committees would devel-
op the existence of more formidable foe
not only to the police force, but also to
the integrity Of the laws than all the
midnight thieves that ever met in this city.
1t is eminently proper for good citizens
to assist our legal guardians in every suit
able way to not only take proper precau-
tons to secure their property from depre-
dation, but to point out suspected offend
ers and, when called on for that purpose,
to assist in making arrests. But the re-
ported vigilance committees are not
formed for any such purpose. They do
not cooperate with the authorities. They
purpose to act independently, if not in hos
tility to the police. Doubtless many Of
them entertain less resentment against |
the nominal enemy than they do toward |
their nominal friends. Let those who want |
to be of service at this time afford all the |
they can to the proper authori-
ties. But they will themselves become law
breakers and render themselves liable to |
arrest and Imprisonment if they begin
to play policemen and attempt to punish
even burglars without trial. Great tumults
generally have small beginnings. # vigi-
ance committees are allowed in one part
If the city under one pretense, they will
De formed in others for different reasons.
Hence, the police must put down at once
md with strong hand any attempt to
lsurp their functions. Fortunately we
AVE good force of strong, active, deter
mined men. They, in conjunction with
he good citizens, are sufficient for the
purpose of keeping the peace, not only
gainst the small bodies of rogues but
gainst the so-called vigilance commit
ees. Orders will be issued to put stop
0 all illegal proceedings at once, and
hose who neglect to obey proper authority,
r to usurp powers not legally conferred
pom them by law, will be dealt with as
ioters. if not aiders and abettors of the
ogues whom they pretend they are after.
or if the attention of the police is to be
coupled in watching irresponsible vigi-
ance committees, composed as they usual
Y are of unthinking young men who need
ontrol, they will have less time to look
fter their legitimate business. Thus
urglars will receive indirectly the very
ssistance they want. This must not be
lowed under any pretext whatever. The
ublic safety is involved in this matter,
nd those charged with keeping the peace
ave a sharp eye upon the whole move
lent.
SELLING OUT THE CITY.
The nevsnanerH emDlOy this phrase when |