Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-10-08
rHE HYDRAULIC MINERS AND THE LAW.

and the miners. When the adjustment Oh
the controversy by methods which would
have protected both interests was rendered
impracticable by the decision of the Su-
preme Court on the Drainage Act, this
journal advocated prompt adjudication
of the issue in the Courts, as the best
course still remaining open. Up to that
stage both parties had been proceeding
with due respect to the law, but now the
miners have put themselves openly in the
wrong by defying the processes OF the
Courts, and they must take the conse-
ouences. The RECORD UNION was pre-
pared to mediate between the contending
parties as far as possible, perceiving clearly
that the best interests of the State de-
manded peaceable solution of this difficult
problem, and being DESTROYS of saving from
ruin all industries which contributed to the
prosperity of the body polite. But this
journal cannot defend or excuse lawless--
ness. Obedience to the law is one of the
main pillars of civilization, and it can never
be valid excuse for disobedience that the
law would work injury to the citizen. We
freely admit and fully recognize the hard
ship of the position in which the miners
are placed. We have done all in our power
to render the resort to litigation needless.
But that policy having failed, and the
Courts having been resorted to, there re
mains nothing but to abide by their action
Loyalty, and this obligation is wholly indie
pendent of whatever the cost of submis-
sion may be.
There is no defense or justification pos
sible for the violation of the injunctions
which have been placed upon the miners,
nor can there be any escape from the re-
sponsibiIity for this deliberate breach of
the law. The very men who are account
able for this ng-doing owe their present
possessions to the deep-seated reverence for
law which during long years of injury and
loss has kept the people of the valley from
having recourse to lawless methods fer
their own relief and protection. The
farmers have been slow to anger and very
patient in this matter. Profoundly con-
WINGED, and on the strongest grounds con-
ceivable, that they had the right on their
side, they have nevertheless acted through
out with the moderation and good sense
which are among the most valuable re-
suits of American institutions and ways of
thought. Suffering damage which might
have exasperated men less firmly grounded
in respect for the law to violence, they
have welcomed compromises, accepted one
proposition after another, and all the time
borne the evils of the situation, until the
controversy was narrowed down to an issue
III the Courts. They, who had the most
reason for impotence, have exhibited
the most conspicuous patience. 1t would
have been better for the miners had they
patterned after the example of their OPP
ponents.
1t will never do to admit, under any cir
cumstances, that citizens can be justified
in deciding for themselves what laws they
will obey. The freedom of the citizen
embraces no suchright as this. That freedom
is curtailed and circumscriDed by every
delegated power bestowed under the con-
stitution, and those who vote the power
of making laws for themselves to others,
thereby vote their submission to the laws
when made. Nor is there any law for
the protection and advantage of the COM
munity which may not at some time
operate injuriously to individuals. The
necessity of obedience to the law, not be-
cause it is beneficial, but because it is the
law, must be recognized constantly. And
if the miners by the employment of any
sophistry can persuade themselves that it
is allowable for them to break the law, it
is clear that the formers, by pursuing the
same kind of reasoning, may as easily con-
vince themselves that they possess
similar right. Thus it might be said that
only respect for law had hitherto hindered
the farmers from stopping the hydraulic
mines by force. And if the law is to be
abrogated by the miners in their interest,
it may as plausibly be abrogated by the
farmers in their interest. In short, it is
perfectly evident that from the first act of
deliberate lawlessness to general anarchy,
is but step.
We cannot regard as even serious, much
less as relevant, the statements of the
Nevada county journals concerning the dis
tress of the working miners. That distress
we sincerely pity, and would relieve if we
were able; but it has no connection with
the real issue before us. The law cannot
be set aside in any other way than by the
constitutional methods. No matter what
its effects it must be submitted to SO long
as it remains on the statute books. Nor
can the State tolerate any persistent and
willful violation of law. In can by no
possibility permit the miners to defy the
Courts. 1t has no option IN the premises,
since defiance of the law is literally war
upon the State. And in such case all
good citizens, whatever their syrnpathies
may be, and whatever their interests,
must unite in upholding and indicating
that law upon which ordered society, with
all its benefits and immunities, chiefly rests.
There can be no hesitation as to where
this journal will take its place in such
conjuncture. 1t is for the law and against
the law breakers. And this will be the
attitude of the community at large. The
miners have in truth taken an utterly un-
tenable course. They have forced an issue
which can by no possibility be decided in
their favor. Either they or the State must
yield, and assuredly it will not be the State
TT tbau INV aauacitv thew will