New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-06
PLAYING WITH THE MOB.

BY q curious peryersiOn of ideas, highly dan
gerous in a republican Government. most Of the
censurc for the horrible scene at Urbana. Ohio.
is being visited upon the Sheriff and militia
captain who tried TO do their sworn duty. Writs
have been issued against them for manslaughter,
and there is some danger that the public au-
thorities, overawed by the bloodthirsty crowd
nj Urbana. may sacrifice them to the lawless
passion which they ought sternly to repress ut
| no matter what cost of that sort OF innocent
blood" which with halter and nrebrand seeks
to establish in America the civilization Of the
jungle.
One of the most scandaous letters from n
| public official we have ever seen is that pub
| lished yesterday morning over the name Of c.
H. Ganson, Mayor Of Urbana. 1t Is difficult to
| believe it genuine but if 1t Is 1t marks that
| officer as person without the slightest concep-
ton of his duty. as a cowardly timeserver who
| cares more for his popularity than his oath.
The letter says: ANY part took in the mat
| ter was 10 keep innocent blood from being
| split and also 10 prevent the lynchng. II pos
'sible" If possible. The Mayor. with the
Springfield militia AT his back ready to enforce
| law. tells them to 90 away and leave the pris-
oner unprotected. and then mouths about pre-
venting IL lIHCHlHS Ill DOH~Ibt. III l'VIN 'HO
utmost regret for the unfortunate shooting Of
"our citizens" and adds that the negro ought
! 10 have been put out Of the way two days ago"
Perhaps he thinks that sentiment Is not uphold
ing mob rule. for he adds: 'Of course. l am a
"sworn officer. and canno; uphold mob rule. yet
II am personally satisfied that citizens feel
| "cOntentcd" In other words, he rejoiced in a
hanging at which he did not dare to pull the
| L., tbof
others might pull it.
1t is not at all to the point to plead the in
fanny of the negros crime, nor to say that it
was better that he should suffer than that limo
cent men whose feelings were outraged by his
villany should be shot. The personal fate Of the
criminal and the citizens Is not of the slightest
importance. What is Of Importance. and Of ire
mendous Importance Is whether in long
tied and presumably civilized community there
dwell that self-contro and respect for law
without which republic cannot endure This
is NOT finespun theorizing. but simple fact. An
alarming growth of the lawleSs spirit is 10 be
observed among people who commonly pass for
good citizens The poison is working at the
vitals of the American State. If we are going
to make liquor laws and then abuse orr Off
Gals for enforcing them; If we are going TO
prescribe penalties for crime and then in out
bursts of fury TO attack our own jails and
behave like Zulu warriors; if we are going TO
weep over the corruption of politics and refuse
as jurors TO punish bribery at elections we shall
| fast pave the way for the Nan on Horseback
who will make orderly existence possible, or
| relapse into the barbarlsm of personal vengeance
and family feud. Some lessons in obedience are
imperatively needed in this country. and Cap
tain I.eonard's bullets were arguments in the
right direction The only pity is that he did not
use more of them. We regret that Governor
Bushnell should fee, called upon to cOnciliate the
mob by expressions of regret that blank car
! trdccs wcra not used on the crowd tina! stormcd
| the Jail. A Calling gun would have been much
more appropriate as Governor Bushnell would
know if he would stop to think what mob rule
! means
! If the officials at Urbana had done their dut?
they would have held the Jail and moved down
the rioters in hundreds before they surrendered
| their sworn trust, which they were bound TO
defend even with their own lives. sheriff
has an obligation no less sacred than soldiers.
| If he had stood by the celldoor and upheld law
to the last and made the mob pay dearly for his
| life. he would have been hero, more humane
TO his countrymcn than all the high officials who
| have homeless regrets for innocent blood
| Every American citizen Is bound by his al
legiance TO obey law. and when he joins in an
attempt to overthrow the processes of govern
ment he becomes morally traitor. and there Is
! no cause for regret if he fOrfcts his life.
Blank cartridges for such untamed rebels:
Are our Governors and Mayors to apologize for
| the laws they are set to enforce, and play with
the disorder they are sworn TO suppress: Bet
| ter cut down with grape and canister whole
city than enthrone the mob to govern the Re
| public