Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-03-09
PURE ANARCHY.
Governor Ross Writes q DenuneiaGion
Of the spirlt EFInced In the
Forsythe LynchiBg.
He OondemBs,A1ob Violence Of Every Omar
acter and Urges VindioEtion Of the
Supremacy OF the Law.
Special TO the Gazette,

Special TO the Gazette,
AUSTIN, TEX, March 6.-Governor
Ross to-day wrote letter to Judge Long
Of Carthage, Pamela County, severely con-
demning mob law in connection with the
lyrching of Forsythe, the murderer OF
Treasurer Hill. The Governor, after say
ing the reward would be paid and stating
the case, says: ~ am aware that
it Is sometimes urged in
Justification Of lynch law $50 called that
our laws are imperfect and not properly
executed and because OF maladministra-
ton in the exercise of the power belong
ing to the state and counties to secure
obedience, bad men under certain con-
ditions may be relieved from punishment.
This is upquestionsblY true and
it would be strange If 1t were not, since
our laws are made by fsllible legislators,
exp0unded by fallible judges, and exc
cuted by fsllible officers. But this is no
excuse for violating them such as they
are. The way to gain relief for the viola
tors Of law is not by inaugurating law
lessness. II SO, we might as we'll tear
down.
OUR TEMPLES OF JUSTICE.
The very worst law is bet er than no Law
and those VINO have an interest in the
country or the prosperity Of the state,
those who have property to be
preserved, those who have liberties to
be protected, those who have rights that
they cherish, are the last men in any CON-
munity who should give sanction to ac:s OF
violence. Let every man take the vindi.
cation OF his rights, the red ess of his
| grievances, or the punishment of offenses
into his own hands, regardless of the
| laws Of the land, which are at once the
| standard to define the limit of his liber-
ties and the guardian to defend them, and
| the result Will be that each man will be
Arrsyed in deadly strife against the
others, to the possible extent OF
extermlnatioD, 1t may be. The
first thing to do in this world Is to be
right, and to plant ourselves in posi-
ton on which we can stand in sunshine
and in storm, and while Forsythe WAS
certainly guilty of an act stamped by
Deity with
THE WORST SEAL
ard signet, cannot see by what method
Of reasoning the good people of Psnols
county while earnestly protesting obedi-
ence to law and order, could persuade
themselves into sn attempt to measure
out retaliation IS q recompense of his
crime in due proportion to It's extent.
This was not only futile,
Bus usurpation OF the powers belonging
only to an All-Wise and AlI-poWeriul
being. Punishment is not to be admins.
tered by way of vengeance. II Their action
is cl1imed to have been In the interest Of
just punishment for q crime which other
wise would have gone without punishment
there is some measure of excuse. But
all right-minded men, when passion has
Gained, must re that this is anarchy,
pure and simple, and that the dearest
riahts Of their community and society
would be sacrificed by its prevalence.
The Governor concludes as fol ows:
Hence, as the executive, charged with 9
care for these public interests, and jeAl-
GUS Of the honor and fair fame OF the
state, record my utter condemnation of
mob violence of every character, and urge
the people to 8 fearless and prompt vim
dication Of the supremacy Of the laws
wherever and by Whomsomever they may
be assailed. Very respectfully,
L. S. Ross.