National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-01-14

There are occasions and otfenses which
incense and fire the heart and move the
mind to a degree which does not easily
brook restraint and which seeks summary
vengeance without the process of law-and
there are crimes so abhorrent to the better
sense of our natures that they seem to de-
mand an earlier punishment than can be
secured under the laws delays and uncer-
tainties, and which really challenge speedy
vengeance for the public good; but the
public welfare always counsels an obedi-
ence to the forms aud requirements Of law
and the preser Walton of order, and hence it
is only occasionally that popular punish
ment is sought In advance of the processes
which government provides in avenging
crimes and wrongs. The HoRToN-MoRGAN
case which occurred in this city re Gently, in
which ruined and unprotected girl at
tempted to avenge her wrongs by shooting her
betrayer and prosecutor, was well calculated
to excite public sympathy if not approval,
but the oflense was in itself wrong, because
1t was a violation of law and order. Then,
again. in nelghboring town within few
days past, cOlored man was guilty of q
most execrabe offense, and the popular
mind became so excited that it made itself
the executor of the law and the summary
executioner of the offender. This was all
wrong, and those who took the life of the
criminal were nothing less than murderers,
for they Intentionally took his life without
the forms and justification Of law.
When it became known what outrages
| the murderous Utes had committed upon
the defense less women who were taken by
them into captivity, after the murders at
the White River agency, a feeling of indig.
nation seized upon the people, which
threatened violence to the Indian dclega
ton en- route from the Ute country to the
National Capital. But better counsels pre-
vailed at the points where the people gave
signs of taking the law into their owl
hands, and they reached here In safety
Popular administration of even deserved
Justice is inconsistent with civilized govern
ment, and wheneve or wherever it occur
1t brands our country with disgrace, NJ
matter what the provocatiOn may hay,
been.
Then, again, in our very midst, on the Oc
casion of the murder Of HIRTH, when tn
murderers were discovered and arrested
there seem ed to be imminent danger tina
popular ven geauce might be wreaked upol
the murderers-at least such were the ap
prehensions of our police authorities, ant
such, peril APPS, the tokens Of the hour; bu
popular feeling, though greatly excited
was held in allegiance, and the prisoner
were safely lodged in prison, where tn
law. it is to be hoped, will mete out earl,
Justice. Those demons deserve the woTs
possible punishment the rigors of the Law
can inaict and it has challenged great for
bearance to save them from the sum mar,
consequences of popular indignation, bu
the counsels of peace, law aud order hay,
prevailed, and our city has escaped the in
fanny that attaches to popular violence as
punishment for crime.
Nevertheless, there is strong publ
feeling prevalent in this city, which ba
been provoked by the repeated burglaries
robberes, personal outrages and murder
committed among our people, which MAJ
yet seek by popular movement to rid th,
city of the gang Of desperadoes, both whit
and black, who iniest it and depredats upon
person, property and life if the law fails t,
punish crime aud purify our midst Of the
presence. Public patience has bounds which
NAV vet be Oyerleaped, with consequence
that al good citizens will dcplore,