The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-12
SUNDAY. SEPTEMBER. p, 1897.
TIE PENNSYLVANIA RIOT.

The collision Of the sherins deputies
with mob in Pennsylvania, which re-
suited In such destruction cf human life,
IS one Of the most deplorable incidents
that has ever occurred ia this country.
Deplorable as Il is however, the authori-
ties of the law must be sustained with
out eQulyccatlon whenever they have act
ed within the limits of the law. Nor is
their action TO be scrutinized too closely
where they have acted IN good faith and
with an eye single to maintaining the
supremacy of the law. Situations like
that which confronted the Pennsylvania
sheriff arc very trying, and very exciting,
and the coolest man is liable TO lose his
head TO some extent I'm them. II he acts
I'm good faith and with an earnest in
tention TO command obedience to the law
only the greatest allowances are TO be
made Tor him, and acts which can be
condemned only as those Ct hasty judg-
ment are not to be laid up too severely
against him. Upon one side the sheriff
was representing the majesty Of the law.
Upon the other, the mob represented
spirit Of defiance to the law. The sup
porters of the law are TO be maintained in
all doubtful cases, while violators Of law
may appeal to our sympathies but our
judgment must be careful IN giving them
It's countonance.
Much viii, nc dorbt, be made Of this
Fsr
ing so much noise about government by
injunction" But conservative men must
see to It that they do not allow their
olear-sighted vision 20 be clouded by the
awful spectacle of SO many Of their fell
low-men lying cold in DEATH There are
things I'm this world worse than q holo-
caust Of dead men. and one Of those
IS a determination by any body Of men to
defy the law. None of us have any rights
OF any sort which we can truly call our
own If any man whatever Us to be allow
cd TO stand up and challenge the law CT
the land and declare 10 st that ne will
not obey its behcsts unless such obedience
suits him. The first and foundation prin-
ciplo Of good citizenship is cheerful, will
ing and eager obedience TO the law, what
ever q may be, and he who is not ready
10 yield this obedience TO the law has
himself only 20 thank for what OF evil
bofalls him. for 30 is tho interest and
duty Of society 10 compel him to obey it
before any attention whatever IS paid TO
any sort Of grievance that he may COM
plain that he suffers.
Mawkish sentimentality IS abroad In
the land now. appealing Go the feelings
Of men for some relaxation in the vigor
Of the land where bodies OF poor men are
making complaint that their lot is a hard
one. and that considerations Of humanity
demand that & should be made easier
None can sympathize with these people
more deeply than The Times does. But
The Times cannot consent 20 allow these
men 20 take the law in their own hands
and extort what they desire by physical
force. however Just their complaints or
hard their lot They must peaceably pre-
fer their complaints through the processes
Of the law and appeal TO the reason Of
their fellow-men for what they seek. 1t
can never be tolerated that they are TO
say TO their adversaries. do this or
suffer tho destruction Of your property"
whatever fate may betide them. They
must perish In want IL that dire result
must follow. before one single man In this
broad land can be allowed TO take UP
end maintain that position.
The law must be enforced let the con-
sequences be what they may