The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-02-17
americans EShibit
Respect for Law
From the Washington Post.

From the Washington Post.
0F AN ENLIGHTENED American
were asked to mention the best pro-
III duct or civilization, the present in
II terest in the Xola trial would proba-
bly, lead him to suggest our system of
Jurisprudence. Whatever the perver-
sions may be. owing to the self-interest or
dishonesty of individuals, there is no
doubt in any mind that its aim is equal
and exact Justice to ALL regard, IS of the
consequences to the state or to persons.
The difference between French and Am
crican Jurisprudence is as wide as the
sea--as wide as the difference in the
character of the two peoples and the
two republics. Such a state of the pub
lie mind, such outbreaks of partsans as
the trial of Iola has caused, would be
impossible in this country pending the
determination of the issue by the courts
o
This however, Is not the only source
of a gratifying comparison. In neither
Paris nor Madrid is the person of an Of
fetal secure If the nation which he rep
resentS happens to he unpopular among
the people to whose government he is ac-
credited. Paris mobs have, on occasion,
attacked the residence of the Spanish
and of the Italian minister, when, for
some reason, the relations of France and
his nation have been strained. Not only
that, but private and inoffensive Span
iards and Italians have been assaulted
at such times. The American Minister
at Madrid is not as safe from insult and
even personal violence as he would be In
his home in Brooklyn. not because of
any personal ground OF disfavor but be-
cause the attitude of the people of this
country toward Spanish policy in Cuba
does not plsase the people of Spain.
o.
The former Spanish minister here
has used indiscreet expressions regarding
the president of the United States. Yet
a demonstration of any kind against him
is not a thing that occurs to anybody as
possible. He is rs safe in his residence
and in the streets as the best-loved
American citizen. Neither attack nor a
comment in his hearing is to be feared.
In the same circumstances the American
official in Paris or Madrid would need a
strong guard of soldiers to save him
from the furious Indignation of a mob.
This is not because the American people
lack the quality and faculty of indigna-
tion. 1t is simply that they have
sense of the dignity OF American citizen
ship and the propriety of sefrestraint a
representing that citizenship. The laws
of nations provide for the punishment of
such an offense and their respect for law
is absolute. This is because law, as
usually administered In this country, is
worthy of respect in its purpose to pro-
mote justice.
Almost nothing could amaze the Amer
lean public more than such outbreaks OF
the populace as have marked the trial of
Zola. unless IL would be such an obvious
purpose on the part of the judges to de-
| feat the ends of justice. We are so used
| to the highest possible ideal in our sys-
| TEN of Jurisprudence and in the proceed
| ings of our courts, and so used TO the
| splendid self-restraint which most citi-
zens impose on themselves when cause
| Is on trial, that We forget there is, or
could he, or that there ever was any
| thing else. IT is only by comparison that
we can value the prodigious advance
| that has been made by Engish-speakins
! peoples in the short time since the de-
| csions of judges were sold to the highest
| bidders. and since every other possible
| consideration took precedence of justice
! to the individual