Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-01-26
A Few Remarks to Mr.. Sem.
TO me Hon. NJ Sem:

I
integrity would be compelled to confess
that they erred In judgment. But 1t is
scarcely necessary to inform yol that
your conduct has been such that the
fond anticipalions Of your friends have
not been realized, and that you have
succerded in losing the condolences OF
score, " those who heretofore were
disposed to regard you as a patriotic
American citlz-n.
When the report came TO us last
Thursday evening that you had publicly
and officially announced in the State
senate that you did not propose to obey
the constitution of the State, and the
statute enacted in pursuance thereof,
we were inclined 10 doubt the correct
ness Of the report. But this rep ut has
been fully confirmed You will not be
surprised To learn that your constltu
cuts regard this statement Of your
intentions with the profuundest solicit
tude. While 1t was known that you
were not American born, 1t was
believed that when you took the oath of
tllegience to this government you did
not then intend to commit perjury. But
his public utterdnce ot yours that you
do not intend to be controlled In your
official duties by the laws OF the state,
mas filed the minds OF your consl ituents
with tn, gravest apprehensiOns. The
. people of this State have heretofore
; been willing to submit to the authority
b Of the laws which they themselves have
enacted. While the officers of the
government firmly adhere to the laws,
Xhile justice il impartialy administered
, according to the laws Of the land by
hose in authority, the obedience Of
he suhj 4cts will BE- voluntary, cheerful
? ind practically unlimited. Loyalty in
the heart aud understanding of an
, American citizen is a rational attach
ment to the laws If bis country. But
G yhen they SEQ tbs first principles ut
he constitution aud laws openly
? violated. by those In authority, without
, argument or decency, they have much
reason to be solici,ous of their liberties
Aud If they believed that In yuul
revolutionary and tisloYal utterinces
/. YOU vOic-d the sentiments Of any con
, ,id-rable portion of your constituent
v hey would be justified in the most
,, Melancholy apprehrnsions for thu
!, .uture Of this county. Whenever any
!, Insid-rdbla number of the American
people arrive at the conclusion tina
- hey will disregard the laws Of TIN
At state, either in their public or privat'
/, fftir1, then civil government Is at III
/, pnd aud anarchy aud ruin will prevail
!, II you have right to disregard th
laws, ~ have all the rest Of the people
ra, they must do so In pure self de
rnse.
b, md 1t occur toyou when proclaiminl
t, YOUR disregard and contempt for tn
il avs Of your state what u fearful havu
h would be wrought should any consider
k, able number of the people conclude I
NJ follow y ,ur eximpleY Aud you surel
d would not claim that any one els
N ,houli be amentble to law unless 20
II are willing to obey the law yuursefl
all The moment that each man arrC
n. gates to himself the right to decd
what law, he will obey, aud what h
~ viii disregard, then every man become
AZ 4. law unto himself, and the cnndltio
# our cInntry would indeed be deplol
,ble. You have four horses aud you
neighb0r nune;.he says common sense
would dictate that one man shoul
In not have four horses, while another hi
he none. lie takes two of your horse
ing ind you appeal tn the law TOR rrdres
by The judge says,"I will not be governt
aid ny the law but my common sens
M Gays you should not have four hors
ew while your neighbor has none, and
nal shall let him keep the two" A Grin
acl is committed against your neighbo
Ia lie says you did II and he says, Il ca
tn, Nothing about the law, will puni'
nc, YOU according TO my common sens
VA notions Of what you deserve" YC
tel appeal fnr protection, but the OH
.ss- 'ays, IL don't care anything about 4
ion law, my common sense says y,
ned ought to be punished and III II
nor interfere Such is the logical rest
to Of your infamous example set befo
the people Of this State last ThuIsdg
And so, MIR. Sem, the people
,r"' Dick nsou county will prefer this
~ quest: That during the remainder
- the legislative session you save as mu
'"' as possible the good name Of your d
,''' trlct by keeping diguilled slen
- ipou matters concerning which y
80" know nothing aud especially refra
!" rom anarchistic remarks C tlculated
~" pring yourself AID your constituer
'D' INTO repToach. 1t is high time Il
ivy you cal, halt on yoar tongue.
lsas
s-@-
ess. Arizona Is in hard luck. She |
ma. Weaver and Streator ON the stump a