Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-02-10
1Aw1rsssrss IN THE TERRITORIES.

counties in their mad career after money
+" have grossly neglected local self-govern-
"ment, until the more lazy and lawless ele-
"ments of society have undertaken to prey
"upon the more industrious and honorable
classes for their subsistence and gains. I"
Il appears from the same correspondence
that the cowboys in Cochise county num-
Der from twenty. five to fifty, and that they
are assisted and shielded by class OF men
"who keep up secret partnership with
the robbers, and profit by their lawless-
eness." Secretary Kirkwood attributes
the failure of the Sheriff to rid the COM
munity of the outlaws to intimidation and
policy, and suggests that the Territorial
Governors might be given the power TO re.
move Sheriffs who did not do their duty.
It is evident from the contrariety of these
suggestions that none of those concerned
have given this question very serious con-
sideration. The proposal to employ the
military, indeed, is suggestive of extremely
hasty investigation, inasmuch as that is a
measure which can only be warranted
when all efforts to maintain order by means
of the civil power have failed.
But in the declaration of Governor Cos.
per that the w-abiding citizens of his
Territory have in their pursuit of wealth
grossly neglected local self government I"
may perhaps be found the key to the stu
alton. When mining regions are opened
in new territories the majority of those
who repair to them have no intention of
staying. They expect to make money and
then to return to the older States, and for
some time they devote themselves exclu-
sively to this pursuit, taking little or no
interest in what is going on around them.
One result of this is that the politics of
these new regions falls at first under the
control of few adventurous men who
have special. and not seldom sinister lea.
sons, for wishing to dominate the political
situation. The business men and the
working miners give no thought to these
matters, and the result is that the local
government is often very bad. All that is
happening now in Arizona, however, has
happened in California. What the cow
boys ara in the former Territory, the
" Hounds were here in 1851 and 1852 !;
organized outlaws, namely, who became
terror to the abiding, and who forced
on a contest which could only issue in their
overthrow. But it is to be noted that the
early Californians received no aid from the
military, nor did they want any, and
though the methods of publication which
they resorted to were crude and even
semi lawless, it may be doubted whether
during this work Of reform they did not
acquire an education in self-government
which far mora than compensated for the
defects of their machinery.
The Presidents recommendation in this
regard does not appear to US consistent
with due realization of the underlying
principles of the democratic system. The
real and final test of that system is its
ability to evolve an ordered Government out
of chaotic conditions. 1t is not possible
to turn out States ready made from Gov.
eminent factory. They must be made
gradually by the hands of their own citi-
zens, and if they are to be stable and en-
dnrio0 fbasa o;t;1arr ro,.+ Loro LII -.
perience, during the constructive period, of
all the dangers and drawbacks which at.
tend the evolution of civilization. To
propose, therefore, that the military should
be called out to assist in the maintenance
of order, is not in accord with democratic
principles, but is in the line of paternal
Government, which is the deadliest foe of
progress. What the people Of Arizona
want is not the help of soldiers, but self
help. The maintenance of order and law
is their interest, and it is for them to at
tend to it. They are for the most part
Americans. They are not ignorant of the
means required for the accomplishment of
their objects. The only question is, are
they so absol bed in the pursuit of wealth
as to have lost all patriotism and pride. If
they are in this condition, then no number
of soldiers can help them. But it is
incredible that they should be in this
condition. They probably only need
stimulating, and it seems to US that if the
cowboys are let alone they may be relied
on to supply the necessary stimulus.
We believe that every community ought
to be left to work out its own salvation in
these matters, and that extraneous inter
ference can only do harm, by checking that
natural movement toward the reform of
evils which may be trusted to work cure
il unimpeded. The Arizonaus who have
allowed the cowboys so much license
hitherto will no doubt soon grow tired of
the prevalent insecurity, and when they
become tired there will be change. 1t
is very likely to take the form of Vigil
lance Committee, and these are the only
SITUATIONS In when that form OF organlza-
tion possesses a genuine raison d'etrc. 1t
is there solemn and final appeal from de-
puted authority which has broken down,
to tbs sovereign power. The people, dis
cardiug all intermediate agencies, proceed
to right their own wrongs. Against this
recourse resistance is inevitably futile.
The lawless element is put down once and
for all time, and the very agencies which
call the people together in this modern
form of the Wittenagemotte, usually in
spire them with those desires for continuous
order which prove the best guarantees
for subsequent development. 1t is by such
means that new States secure enfran-
chisement from the rule of the unfittest,
and the work must be spontaneous to be
permanently effective. We trust that the