New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-21
A GOOD EXAMPLE.

Governor Bradley Of Kentucky has gone far
TO redeem the reputation OF his state. recently
sadly damaged by popular violence ana Jldi-
cial time-serving He has set an example OF
courage and rightmindedn,s So which every pub
lie officer in the United States might copy
greatly TO the benefit of American civilization
His memorandum concerning the pardon OF
George Dining. the negro sentenced TO seven
years imprisonment for shooting one OF the
members Of a mob who surrounded his house
M midnight and commanded him to leave the
neighborhood is a model statement Of the treat
ment which everywhere should be given 10 riot
and of the policy which should govern public
authorities in supporting those who resist mob
rule Governor Bradley declares that the negro
did right and not wrong. that he is entitled 10
the admiration Of every citizen who loves good
government and desires the perpeuation OF
free institutions. and he makes this ringing
declaration for all Kentucky rioters TO hear and
take warning: TOO long have mobs disgracei
'the fair name Of Kentucky. and while | am
Governor Of this Commonwealth no man. how
"ever obscure and friendless, shall be punished
"fOr killing member OF n mob who elect to
take his life or drive him from his home
1t is humiliatng to have to make special note
of these sentiments. That policy should he so
much matter of course that a public officer
declaring it would be laughed at for dealing in
platitudes rather than commended as an I'M
commonly good Executive. The common law
that mans house is his castle is so old. so
we'll established, so commonly understood, That
ii might be thought that no Anglo-Saxon com
munity. much less an American court. would
question it or punish the defender of his home.
tbn n,o v,nio of
American rights. was also the champion of the
hOusehOlders sanctuary. 'The poorest man
may in his cottage bid defiance to all the force
"of the Crown. 1t may be frail: It's roof may
shake; the winds may blow through 1t: the
storms may enter, :he rain may enter-but
1.-THE King of England cannot enter; all his
forces dare not cross the threshold OF the
ruined tenement" But what the King dared
not do: what no officer Of Government dare do
without the special warrant of law, that the
mob presumes TO do and a court presumes to
upheld It in doing. Dining and his wife and
six children in their home at night. The
hoodlums come about it armed and threaten
ing. The householder is ordered out. he Is fired
upon and wounded, his life and his chldrens
lives are in danger, he drives away his coward
" assallants his would-be assassins Then he
Is urea LOT anu II WIFI
lynching. The Judge who tries him refuses TO
permit the Governor to protect him from VIC
lence or TO conduct the case away from the in
fluence Of an infamed popuace. After seem
ing to invite the mob to take Dining from his
hands that Judge sends him TO prison for seven
years. and he has his freedom only because the
Governor dares TO rebuke both Court and mob.
And this happens in the State Of Kentucky in
the heart of liberty loving America more than
hundred years after the Revolution had been
fought to establish the supremacy of law over
| tyranny!
Governor Bradley has done nothing since he
| assumed office so calculated to make firm his
title to the respect of his Countrymen. In no
| State of the Union for many months has an
| Executive action been taken that may be Of
more benefit to the country. We say he is
| courageous. But his courage is Of the kind
that always wins. The only bravery 1t really
requires is to be brave beforehand. 1t is COM
monty said, and said too truly, that lawlessness
| is increasing. 1t need not be so. A few more
| Governor Bradleys in State Houses and body
of law officers of the same stuff would stamp
out every vestge Of the mob. Disorder grows
and lynching becomes more frequent because
rioters are tolerated. their feelings considered
their skins held sacred, opposition to them made
with apologies. 1t need not be so. Stern and
relentless enforcement of order the part Of
those sworn to enforce it will stop the trouble
almost short The roughs will howl and threat
en- and COW a few timid officials who look for
favors at the next election time, but when they
find their threatening does not paralyze the
law they will be the gentlest DULLES any one
| could wish