Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-31

tain degree OF ul-fecnuk oct"ccn VI,
American and Italian governments. and
uortanca but Of International magnitude.
When the matter il presented to the
Italian Government II win base It's action
mon the supposition that the murdered
men were innocent. owing to the fact that
a iury Of American citizens. representing
The law of its country and with all its fa-
cilities of investigation, and naturally
preiudiced against the accused, acquitted
them of the charges OF their indictments.
This unpleasantness Will give Dir.
Blaine O chance to display, his diplomatic
ability. and let us hope the trouble will
NOT be decided on the reciprocity plan.
n il indeed very inopportune time for
n DIPLOMATIC battle, as the abrogation OF
friendly relations between Italy and the
limited States will undoubtedly restrain
Tho latter country from taking part in the
worlds Columbian Fair. The most eau
t,ous Diplomatic tactIcs are now necessary
on both sides, and although Italy Will act
with measured courtesy. esteem. and In:
ternational dignity toward the United
States. full indemnity VIII De demanded.
THE two nations. however, will surely
arrive AT some conclusion satisfactory to
the honor and dignity of both, and any i'm
pulsiye action would at this juncture alb
rogate the possibilities of an amicable
ssftlement. With such well-trained diplo-
mats "a Mr.. Blaine and Baron Faya to
treat the subject serious trouble will be
Inverted"
Patterson of New Orleans and the News
papcr-Man Turning the Cheek"
To Gie Editor of The Dispatch:
In reading an account of the interview
between these two gentlemen some days
ago in regard to Parkerson's part in the late
lynching the newspaper-man thought he
"had him" when he quoted Scripture,
which it seems neither understood. In
deed. few people seem TO understand this
"smitiDg on the cheek" In the first place
Patterson was not avenging any personal
wrong. He was q representative of the
good order and well-being of his city.
When our Saviour said to His disciples
"Moses said an eye for an eye and tooth
for tooth" He was referring TO the laws
of the Jewish state-to wit, that punish
ment must be in accordance with the Of
fence, an axiom of ell nations to-day.
But when He said. g / say INTO you (My
disciples) if brother smite you on the
cheek turn to him the. other Also" this
Is Nv law TO My family, My children. not a
law or a maxim of the State. Christ was
always very careful not to interfere with
the law of the State. Would not any
father thus teach the children of his fam
ilv. or would he teach them to fight one
another. Certainly not. This is the law
of love. and it is as beautiful as 1t is wise.
Also. when prosecuted for" ChrtsPs sake"
the Christian must bear all things" He
is now representing his Master and his
cause In the world, who. when He was
reyiled, reviled not again." A true Chris
tian will rejoice as did Peter when he suf.
fers for Clrisfs sake. A missionary must
cease to be q missionary so soon as he be-
gins to fight the pagans. II no take
away thy cloak give him thy coat
also nj. C.. rather than lose a friend
and lose your own peace OF mind also
weld gracefully. not only once, but twice.
This is evidently the sense. The anclents
taught a good deal by maxims. L have
seen this done often, and 1t Is apt TO have
a most salutary effect upon the irate and
uniust brother, and will win him to ask
pardon if anything will. What about bad
men and covetous thieves outside the
Church, Yield thus to them! by. nc
means. "Cast not your pearls. before
swine, lest they trample them under then
feet and turn again and rend you" II
man breaks into your house at night and
takes your watch and all your money and
then inquiries if you have any more money.
would any man but fool say. " Yes,
have II ,OOU buried unuer my ethoiS-vOo,
you can get that too" Would tho
"swine" appreciate this, generosity and
leave the $1,000? Not he. The farmer
puts his money under the stable-dool
for safety, and he would thus be a;
big fool as the man who lock:
his front-door at night for security
and then hangs the key on the outer-door
knob. No such nonsense is taught in the
Bible or anywhere else. Self-preservation
is the law Of communities as well as ind.
viduals. 1t is Gods law. Annanias. and
Sapphire were killed on the spot for lying
to save their property. "Righteousindig.
nationn is not only recognized, but highly
commended in the Bible. Phineas was
highly praised by God Himself for killing
two people-a man and woman--in open
daytime in the sight of thousands. God
is the God of order and not of confusion
of Justice as wella of love. A. man who
undertakes to execute "lynch-law" must
be absolutely certain that his motive Is not
personal spite, but the pubic good, and
each case must stand upon its own merits
We can't legislate for it beforehand.
1t is absurd to suppose there was anthins
Irrational" in this affair at New Orleans: Il
the men had been Germans and English
men their fate would have been the same
The blow was aimed at society OF assas
sins A. ID. &.