Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-05-14
LEAGUE AGAINST LAW.


and that he did not fire at all. The evil
dence of Deputy United States Marshal
Poole, and that of Clark, the grader, is not
at all decisive as regards the opening of
the fight. Poole says he was knocked
down by one of the settlers horses, and
that while he was down the firing began.
Clark says that his horses ran away the
instant the first shots were fired, and he
could not say who fred first. 1t is stated
that the position and direction of Hartt's
wound seem to support the assertion that
he was shot while sitting in the wagon,
and if this is so the probability that the
settlers opened the fight will be strength
ened 1t is to be presumed that the Set
tiers League will not be permitted to set
the laws at defiance, and establish an
imperiun IN imperio on their own ac-
count, and that therefore the whole
case will be made the subject Of
judicial inquiry in due time
1t is however necessary to meet the
studied attempts which are being made in
certain quarters to create sympathy for
these men, by emphasizing the fact that
they have from the first manifested set
purpose to defy the law, and that the tragic
events which have just occurred are but
the elimination of long course of law
lessness on their part. 1t is also proper to
point out that the arguments they use are
not supported by the facts in the case
That they have, so far as any trustworthy
evidence goes, been treated with patience
and moderation which they have never
shown the least appreciation of. That
they have shown determination to hold
ON to lands which belong to other people,
regardless of all judicial decisions. That
they have refused to avail themselves of
the opportunities repeatedly afforded them
of acquiring lawful possession of the dis
puted lands. And that the League which
they have organized can be regarded
in no other light than as a machinery
for overriding the law by brute vio-
lence, and of retaining possession
of property their title to which
has been declared altogether in
valid. To the assertion that the rail
road company ought to have waited still
longer before resorting to summary
processes, we reply that there was no
reason whatever for any such procrastina-
tion. 1t had become perfectly apparent
that the settlers were resolved to resist the
law, and there could not have been any
ground for surprising that postponement
of action would produce any change in
their policy. The men who had bought
some of the lands in good faith demanded
possession of their purchases, and it
became impossible to resist their impor-
tunities. They had a right to make this
demand, and it was incumbent on the COM
pany to put them in possession. With
such a lawless organization as the Settlers
League it is plain enough that the collision
must have occurred, no matter when the
attempt was made to enforce the law.
1t is not for the interests of Society
that there should be any confusion OF
thought in regard to matter of this kind.
1t viii never do to let men set up their
own version of a story against the judg-
ments of Courts, as an excuse for or pallia-
ton of lawlessness. This Settlers League
assaulted a United States Marshal in the
performance of his duty. They undertook
to bulldoze him precisely as a Southern
White League might undertake to bull
doze a Republican candidate or a negro
voter. Having been beaten in the Courts,
where alone they had right to make any
contest, they thrust the laws aside, and
declared they would hold the lands they
occupied, right or wrong. That is their
position, and nothing better can be made
out of it. All that they say about the
terms demanded by the railroad company
is irrelevant. The lands belong to the
company. The present settlers had no
: prior titles or equities, according to our in
formation. 1t was for the owners of the
, lands to say at what rates they chose to
} sell them, and those who did not like the
terms were not obliged to pay them. But
they could not arrogate to themselves the
; right to fix the price of the land, though
, this is what they have endeavored
to do; and when they were dis.
, satisfied with the terms offered thew
could not be justified in refusing either to
buy, lease, or vacate, though this is what
they did do. They have in fact gone out
side the law because it did not suit them.
and they have incurred all the response.
bility for this bloodshed, and whatever
further disaster it may entail 1t seems
probable that they calculated upon their
ability to make use of the common preiu-
dice against corporations, to obtain the
lands they occupy without making any
payment fer them. They have, however,
gone too far, and it is now inevitable that
J the case should be settled in accordance
with the law, and without further hesita-
| ton or temporizing. The security of So
ciety depends mainly upon the general re-
gard for judicial decisions and legislative
} enactments, and no specious plea must be
! allowed to blind the public to the inexor-
able necessity of unfolding these mani
festations of the popular sovereignty.
THE BAPTIST CONVENTION AND DR..
KALLOCH.
The Baptist Convention yesterday was
: the scene OF an attempt to disfellowship
e Dr. Kalioch, but test vote showed that a
e majority of the delegates were opposed to
t the proposition, and the condemnatory
: resolutions which it was sought to intro
: duce were tabled. There is a sense of pro.
y priety about this outcome which does not
S always manifest itself on such occasions.
d DR.. Kalloch may not be an ideal Christian
e and minister of the gospel, but whatever
v he is to-day that he has been for a long
: time past, and if his presence in the con.
{ ferences of his denomination is regarded as