The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-05-13
A MODERN CALIGULA.


A MODERN CALIGULA.
Rev. Rufus G. Burleson continues to
assume the role of regulator of public
morals in Texas. He preached polit-
ical serman at Waco, which has been
referred to by the STATEsMAN, and
when this has been severely comment
ed upon in all quarters the reverend
gentleman publishes letter. in which
he everlsstlngly retaliates on those who
criticise him, and in which he con-
demns perverted and debsuched pub
lie sentiment IN relation to crime and
criminals. Then he arraigns Governor
Roberts as in sympathy with this
sentiment. Touching this letter of Mr..
Burleson, that eminently conservative
journalist of the Marshall Herald, Col.
Loughery, says:
1t is not creditable to him for the
reason that it contains several incorrect
material statements, is replete with
misrepresentation, Incorporate in its
language, anti Christian in It's senti-
ments, and libel upon the Governor
and people. Emanating from man
of Mr.. Burleson's age and position, it
is calculated to. exercise pernicious
influence, especially abroad, where
Texas has already been most merci-
lessly slsndered by men who have
written in the same reckless and fanat-
Ical spirit.
Mr.. Burleson makes the brazeu asser-
ton that there is not a state on this
continent where the per cent. of GRIM
inals is smaller than in Texas, and
the reply is made that the GRIM
insl records give a fiat contra
diction. But for the change in the
| new criminal cole there would have
been at least forty legal hangings in
Texas this year. OF the men in the
penitentiary not less than sixty are un-
der life sentences for capital .offenses,
and the aggregate number sentenced
within the last three years is not less
than fifteen hundred, while large
number of outlaws and thieves have
been driven from the state. Mr.. Bur-
lesoD, says the Herald, ought to know
that Texas has been overrun with GRIM
inals, brought here by just such misrep-
| raoapfokiono ao ora b.a lak
ter, leading outlaws to believe that
crime In Texas is not punished, and
that there is an actual sympathy here
for criminals. Mr.. Burleson charges
that "murderers, assassins, robbers and
rapists are turned loose upon society, y
while we have just shown that two out
of twenty-five capital cases brought
before Governor Roberts only seven
cases have been committed, and these
have been consigned to lifetime i'm.
prisonment in the penitentisry. The
Herald calls Mr.. Burleson a "fanaJiC
with unbalanced mlnd," but we are in.
clinei to believe it is we'll balanced on
the side OF unchristian severity, that
would go so Tar in thirst after blood as
to crafty depraved taste with aiehtG
OF executions even when there are the
strongest doubts as to the evil purposes
of men who have been condemned,
and in some instances where even the
strongest doubts have arisen as to guilt.
To prove that he is fanatical, his
expressions are referred to, In which
he writes about "perverted and de.
bauched public sentiment in regard
to crime and criminals; "these bastard
views of justice and mercy are drifting
us into vortex of Russian Nlhilism oi
anarchy as fearful as that of Dantor
and Robesplerre"; sweeping aside
sll the barriers of human law and
justice, and delrging the church
with deadly heresies." ''I would
resist the eternal devil himself,
he exclaims. Often the STATESMAN
has seen cause to criticise the
course of Mr.. Burleson, and here II
has been our purpose to show how
he is regarded by others. He seems
to by made of just such stuff as used
IN the compound of Csligulu, and in
some respects of even Nero, and had
he lived in the days of Roman festi.
walls of blood favorable delight
with him would probably not have
been the trsnsfxing OF flies to feast
upon the evidences of pain, but he
would have had him private amphi-
thealer where fierce she bears would
have been trained to tear and rend
children and devour them, to which
plan of torture he did even at one
time commit himself.