The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-03-08
The LITTLE CAVAlRYMAN.
His Utter Condemnation of Mob
Law of Every Character.
"The First Thing to Do IN this
World is to Do Right" Mob
Law IS Anarchy.


itself
Hon. j. Il. Jones, Carthage, Texas:
Dear Sir-UPon the statement of facts
presented, feel that the reward has been
justly, and it will be paid to those en-
titled to receive il. At the same time,
without intending disoourtesy or any I'M
kindness, it is with unreasonable regret,
that cannot let the occasion pass with
out utterinR my opinion, that this in
stance of mob violence, in a community
of people presenting all the physical evil
dence that go to make up peaceable in
dustrious population, hitherto observant
of law and order, and supplied with local
and convenient tribunals, was an unwise
proceeding, made without sufficient cause.
HE WOULD BE GUILTY.
Indifference on my part would be en-
dorsement and patronage guilt, The
exc cutive, though obligated to see the
laws faithfully executed, is nevertheless
pc Rerless to reach by law the grand jury
which refuses to indict, or the petit jury
refusing to convict. And even the officers
who fail to do their duty are beyond his
reach; still, probable consequences to so
ciety at large are too grave for silence.
whenever bn6Eo 10 u Tolubhl W OotJ tho
laws made by the people in due form, and
whenever popular opinion in any com
munity can override them, or any excuse,
however plausible, take the administration
of justice from the proper tribunals iuto
their own hands, government, in proper
| sense, ceases to exist, and society lapses
into state of barbarism.
A FALLAoY.
l am aware that it is sometimes urged,
in justification of Lynch law, so called,
that our laws are imperfect and not prop
| esly executed, and because maladministra
ton in the exercise of the power belong
ing to the state and counties to secure
obedience, bad men, under certain oondi-
tions, may be relieved from punishment
This ID unquestionably true, and it
would be strange if it were not, since our
laws are made by falIible human legisla-
tors, expounded by fsllible human judges,
and executed by fsiiible officers. But
this is no excuse for violating them, such
as they are.
The way to gain relief for the violation
of law 10 not by inaugurating lawless
ness.
If so, we might as we'll tear down our
is better than no law; but those who have
an int rest in the country or the pros
perity of the state; those who have prop
erty to be preserved by law and order;
| those who have liberties to be protected;
those who have rights that they cherish,
are the last men in the community who
should give sanction to acts of violence.
NO BLOODY FEUDs WANTED.
Let every man take the vlndication of
his rights, che redress of grievances, or
the punishment of offense into his own
hands, regardless of tn, laws of the land,
which are at once the standard to define the
limit of his liberties and the guardian TO
defend them, aud the result will be that
each man will be arrayed in deadly strife
against the other, to the possible extent
of determination it may be.
The first thing to do in the world ia to
do right, aud 10 plant ourselves in po-
sition ON which we can stand IN sunshine
and in storm, and while +, rsyth was GER
taiuly guilty of an act stamped by the
Deity with the worst seal anC
7ignet, l cannot see By what method
of reasoning the good people Of
Pamela county, while earnestly protesting
obedience to law and order, could per
suade themselves into an attempt t.
measure out retaliations "a recon- pense
of his crime in due proportion to It's ex-
tent.
This was not only futile, but An usHr
patton of power belonging only to an All
wise and All-powerful Being
Punishment is not to be administered
by way of vengeance.
IT is ANARCHY.
If then action is claimed to have been
in the interest of just punishment for d
crime which other wise would have gone
} uuwhipped of justice, there is some
measure of excuse. But all riHht-mindtd
men, when pas-ioI has calmed, must set
hat this is anarchy, pure and sim pie, ant
the dearest righ,s of their community anC
: society would be sacrificed by its preva
lpnc+.
Having been "sculptured into prece'
deut" It. is liable also to DO renewed Opol
much slighter pr pvocation and to thepos
s,bIe detriment of some of those wit
could hereafter with poor grsc
plead exemption from its un
j sparing force by an appeal TO
the protection of the law, which they wer
unwilling to see melted out to another
however guilty. Such things have oc
: Cured within my own observation in tn
p at,
There is another phase to this unfor
4 tunate occurrence, which gives occasio
r for the most serious concern.
q now THE WORLD JUDGES.
@ The people OF the world will seize hol
= OF these casual, or Incidental, acts {
d violence occurring in Madison, Wharto
3. aud Pamela counties, to blacken who
>. oomm uuIties aud to mi-represent the o.
y tire state, as we'll as baptize our poop
IT anew III perfect stream of calumny.
a 1t will be fIuitless to- remind them tn
B. d. fi4nce of law, by exceptional and ind
If vidual cases, is historically coinoldeI
o with law itself; or to cali attention to Il
4 -ubst4 ntial fact that our people prese
nj higher evidence of thrift, economy an
D. rosperity, which are the natural result
IL. uf a general obedience to law and ordt
w than any other STATE in the union.
d Hence, as the executive, charged with
d care for these public inter ats, and 1ea
se Gus for the honor and fair fame OF u
I'd state, record my utter condemnation
IN mob violence of every character, aud urI
th.. MANILA tn n fearless and prompt VII