Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-04-10
Moi Law.

The spirit of mobocracy in this coun-
Try must be frowned down by every
iaw-aoiding citizen. Let us admit that
the recent terrible outbreak in Cincin-
nati was the direct result of the malad-
ministration of justice, and that the
provocation for an outraged and indig-
nant populace TO ..take the law into It's
own hands, was very great; neverthe-
less, the net results of the revolt
against law and order are not encour-
aging. The mob only made bad mat
ter worse. 1t did not even lynch the
wicked wretch who was the immediate
cause OF all the trouble, for he is safe
IN the States Prison; nor did it drive
the stupid jury out of the county that
1t had disgraced by its unconscionable
verdict. The rioters did nothing good,
but they did an incredible amount of
injury to themselves, their neighbors
and the State. Probably nifty persons
are already dead, or viii die, from the
effects OF injuries received in the col
lision; million dollars worth of valu-
able property has been destroyed, and
the good name of the city and State
mas been deeply disgraced. The only
| good lesson that can possibly be learned
from these riotous proceedings is what
was Just as well known before, to-wit:
that the popular sentiment is being
daily outraged by the failure of the le-
gally-constituted authorities to admin
lister justice impartially, and that there
must be a reform. Every intelligent
observer knew this as well last week as
he does this week, after the fact has
been attested and emphasized by the
murder of large number of innocent
persons. If there is any remedy for
the evils that caused the outbreak at
Cincinnati, it is not to be found in mob
law. because mob cannot reform any,
thing.
Every mob starts out with the decla-
ration that it will take the law into its
own hands, by which it is meant that,
where the law and the courts have
failed to mete out justice in certain
cases where it should have been impair
TALLY applied, the mobocrats will apply
1T themselves. How the mob admins
tiers justice we have just seen at Cincin-
natl. In its blind rage it applies the in
cendiary's torch to the Temple of JUS
tice, and commits unprovoked murders
light. The remedy of the mob is al
most invariably great deal worse than
the disease to which it is applied.
There is no other country under
heaven where the mob spirit is so likely
to be fostered as in the United States.
The press IS free to the point of license,
and there are really no restrictions on
the freedom of speech. Every man
feels that he is his own master, and he
is told that he is equal to the best
around him. Foreign blatherskites,
like Herr Most and Justus Schwab, who
have been imbued with the pernicious
doctrines of the Commune, are allowed
to preach their villainous theories here,
unchecked, to all who will listen to
them, and to foment jealousies between
classes. We are thus unconsciously
manufacturing material as explosive
! and as destructive az dynamite, and it
may blow up the citadel of our liberties
before we are aware of it. The coun-
try's only hope in the future is in cult
waiting in every mind sacred respect
for the law, and we must see to it that
the administration of justice is worthy
of every good mans regard The figure
of personified Justice has been repre-
sented long enough as blindfolded while
holding the scales. If need be, let us
tear that bandage from her eyes, SO
that she can see her own duty more
clearly, and make fewer mistakes.
The peoples legitimate source of
remedy in this country is the ballot box.
Through that agency it is in their power
to cure all public ills and abuses, by
electing men who will make and enforce
good laws, and protect the interests of
society, the community and the State. -
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