Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-15

IedCoO III Vie 1rdy IL lS uOtuluS DuI result
following cause, and that in no casgna
divine cause, even though his failure be
caused by ill-health or inferior intelligence.
Ill-health is in all cases attributable to
faults of conduct either in the individual
sufferer or his progenitors, and scientists
tell us-and there exists abundant proofs
of the assertion-that weak intellects re-
suit only from too close intermarriages
and deficient or pernicious training, so
that in no case can blame be attached to
the creator of all. The text of my dis
course has been commented on and dis
cussed perhaps as much as any one. SEN
tence could select from the whole Bible,
but everything in our rapidly advancing
civilization onlyadds to the alredy,vast ext
listing confirmation of the truth of the holy
words: And God saw everything that he
had made, and, behold, it was very
good"
PRE-EMINENCE in rascality, whether in
politics or crime, begets not only notorie-
ty, but certain kind of popular admira-
ton. Many politician, long schooled in
party and political chicanery, whose pri-
vate character and public acts wall not
bear the scrutiny of close criticism, not
infrequently becomes the idol of the
hour. This is bad enough, but it is worse
when high crime ceases to shock the moral
sense of community, and bold, daring,
self acknowledged criminal becomes an
object of tolerance and sympathy, because
of the very magnitude of his criminality.
We have reference now to that distinguish
ed brigand, perhaps we should say the Hon
orable Frank James, the hero of hundreds
of robberies, and scores of murders, who
has just surrendered to the governor of
Missouri and asked for amnesty and par
don. The public sentiment of large por-
ton of the state would seem not only to
Justify, but to urge the governor to use all
his official influence and power to save
this great villain from the punishment due
to his crimes. As he gave in his submits
sion to the governor and handed him his
pistols, he pompously and proudly
said that his Excellency was the
only man, except himself, who had touched
them for twenty years. For this he was
applauded for his bravery, instead of being
abhorred for his deeds of blood and rob-
berry. His successful career as bandit
has made him the most popular man in
Missouri, an object of great curiosity and
even of sympathy. That he attracts to
himself popular respect and regard is
shown by the large attendance of promi-
nent citizens, who thronged his hotel at
the capital of the state, to take his blood
stained hands in theirs and to assure him
of their sympathy. He evidently enjoys
his notoriety. This UNPUBLISHED rascal is
under Indictment in Minnesota for his raid
on the bank at Mortified, and the murder
of the cashier. The people of Minnesota
will not soon forget that exploit, for which
some of the villains were captured and are
low incarcerated. (the Younger brothers),
in the penitentiary at Saltwater. The
governor of Missouri may secure his ac-
quittal in that state, or pardon him,if con-
victed, but can he condone the crime for
which he is under Indictment in this state !?
If the authorities of this state should
make a requisition on the governor of
Missouri for the person of Frank James,
the governor might, and probably would re-
fuse to comply with the requisition, and thus
offered protection to the criminal, really
becoming particeps criminis after the
crime. The James brothers ought to have
been outlawed. It ought to have been
made lawful to have shot any of the ban
dts down on sign, and a reward given to
the one shooting item. If the public sent
ment was so criminally corrupt in that
part ofIthe state where the brigand mostly
operated, then martial law should have
been proclaimed, and the bandits and
their supporters and protectors extermina-
ted. The reign of law and not brute
force should have been established in Mis-
souri,. The present lionizng of Frank James
and the careful preparations being made
to condone his crimes or let him go unpun-
ished, is simply Offering a premium for
crime, setting at naught the demands of
justice, and exerting damaging and de-
moralizing influence on community.