The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-17
AN UNsoLvED PRoBLEM.

The Republican st. Louis Globe-Demo-
crat and the Democratic Louisville
Courier-Journal discussed on Friday the
question of the relations of the federal
government to State government in re-
gard to the protection of foreigners
against mobs. The question is not a
new one, blu it comes to the front every
time a foreigner is injured or loses his
life by a mob. Both these papers de-
plore the conditions. Both admit the
weakness of the relation which makes
the United States responsible as a ma
ton to other nations, but which, because
of the constitutional power of the State
over it's residents, renders the federal
government powerless to protect either
foreigner or citizen of the United States.
The Louisville Courier-Journal discusses
the problem at length, but comes to the
conclusion that there is no remedy, and
that all the United States can do is to
promise to the subjects of other govern
ments the same security as it's own citi-
zens receive. That is, the United States
should inform other governments that it
will not undertake to give better protec-
ton to foreigners than it can insure it's
own citizens. The Globe-Democrat states
the facts in the same way, out is not
satisfied with the conclusion of the Ken
lucky paper. 1t says that because we
insist upon full protection for our own
citizens in foreign countries they have
a right to expect the same from us. 1t
government must provide the means by
MI .Io-.xc<~ o-<os.- 49, L. s.v1-
1t is very convenient 10 leave the mat
ter with such an avowal. but to GO
further ahd devise a remedy is a still
unsolved problem. The trouble is with
the States. If States would so enforce
the laws that engaging in riots would
be unsafe and would make the punish
ment Of the participants sure and posi-
tive such trouble as that at New Or
leans would be much less frequent.
There is the trouble Ilstinctively the
mob is a coward; it is only lawless when
it knows that the authorities are coward
~. In the killing of the Italians in Col
orado the case is different. 1t was not
a mob, but a few men seeking vengeance
for the murder of one of their number.
The officials were prompt, but the deed
had been done. Beyond a vigorous eff
fort to bring the parties who shot the
Italian murderers to justice nothing can
be one now. Should reparation to the
families of these murderers be demand
ed by the Italian government it may be
policy to maxi it. In this regard our
government is more unfortunate han
any other in that ignorant and vicious
subjects of other governments come here,
and, because they are not dealt with as
vigorously as at home. become lawless,
as in this case, and commit crimes.
While there are many ~law-abiding peo-
pie from Italy, Poland and Hungary,
those countries furnish the most lawless
element we have to deal with in seasons
of popular excitement. In many in
stances these people have made them
selves most offensive. even when they
do not commit crimes.
The question, for which no answer has,
been given, is SO important that a re-
newed effort should be mad by the fed
eral government to lead local authori-
ties to enforce local laws for the pro-
lection 0 fklife and the suppression of