The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-11-17
REL.

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The government Of Queen Victoria
does things in a way that commands
the respect of that part of the world that
takes pleasure in effective, impartial,
earnest work by national administra
hon. The only sentiment governing
the British in the performance of their
official duties is that which commands
the enforcement of the laws which live
IN the books. In thisway GreatsBrita n
has inspired a respect for her statutes
that the people of no other country en-
terrain for their own laws. Less than a
wear ago Louis Riel, haE-5reed-his
father a Frenchman and his mother a
scuav-rsbeIed against the authority
of the Queen, and gathering few hum
dred men OF mixed blood Ike himself
OF pure Indian, set the government at
defiance. Not only this. but he made
actual war on the State, his declared
purpose being to free the North West
Territory Of the Dominion of Canada
from british rule. The English were
not long in squelching the disorder, MP
ping an affair in the bud which If left to
itself little time might gov and de-
Yelop into a serious uprising that would
cost many lives and much money to
allav. The work of suppression was
oone about in a systematic, business
like way, and in a little while the rebel
found himself a prisoner, and his toll
lowers scattered and discouraged, the
masses of them glad TO escape with
whole skins and their necks intact.
Ever since his capture desperate, eff
forts have been made, first to secure the
release of RieI, then his acquittal by
the jury, and finally Communication OF
his death sentence. The government
pursued the even tenor Of its way; it
gave the rebel a fair trial, giving him an
opportunity to prove his innocence, and
after he was convicted and sentenced,
treated him only as a man who had
done as he should have been treated.
The date for his execution having ar
rived, he has been hanged, and the law
is vindicated. All this is English, you
know" but it is the English that one
admires, and which inspires in him a
respect for a government that moves
along in the performance of its duty
without being disturbed and swayed by
trifng or even weightier matters that
would set less stable administrations tc
thinking.
Riel is not without friends and SYM
pathizers, and the cause which he
unEisely espoused has thousands OF
adherents and supporters. The French
Canadians, tie half-breeds and TIE
Indians almost to man were heart and
soul with him in the assault that he
made against the government; and al
most to man did these same protest
against his execution. just as they will
now deneunee the authorities for his
taking off. When it is understood that
if left to the popular voice to decide
perhaps two-thirds OF the people OF The
Dominion would have said the rebel
should live, the action of the govern
.ment becomes heroic.
1t has been predicted that the hang
ing of Riel would be followed by such
violent uprisings.a as might endanger the
Queens title in the Dominion. It
seems to US that such talk IS mere
twaddIe. and displays wanto of knowl-
edge of the situation. The fumings and
threats of the anti-British subjects OF
Victoria in Canada. can nave little
effect upon a power that enforces its
laws with such certainty in the face
of popular disapprOval. and Furnishes
the guilty of high and low
degree without swaying to either
side from the path of rectitude. The
discomfort may be widespread, and the
threats loud and savage, but overt acts
viii be punished as surely as was Riel's
rebellion, even if it requires an army
from across the Atlantic TO enforce the
DEGREES.
Riel deserved death; he did that
which he knew would bring him death
If he we're caught; and having gotten
What he bargained for his friends will
have TO swallow their rage, and stand
in ave Of an authority that means
everything that itpEofesses.