The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13

and unwise as selfshness and self-seek-
ing in individuals. 1t is particularly un-
fortunate that sO-caIled Christian ma
tions, living under the higher law, the
law of love, should so place themselves.
Public men in the legislative and
executive branches Of our government
regard It as a matter of deep regret
that the federal government has no
power to punish violators of interna-
tional law and of treaty stipulations.
State law, in all such cases, is in the
way of federal law and procedure.
Here are a few examples of riots in our
own country, in which the federal gov
eminent was unable to punish the
criminals:
The riot in New Orleans in 1851, Occa-
stoned by the arrest and execution OF some
American flibusters in Cuba, when cit
liens of New Orleans inflicted injury upon
the persons and property of Spanish sub
jects.
The riot in Denver, 1880, when two China
men were beaten to death and a number
seriously maltreated.
The riot at Rock Springs, Wyo., Septem-
Der, 1885, When 64 Cinnamon were killed and
wounded.
The riot at New Orleans, in 1891, when II
prisoners were taken from Jail and put
to death by a mob.
There are other incidents, but these
will suffice. In each instance it was
found impossible, on account of local
sentiment, to successfully prosecute
the perpetrators of these outrages in
the local courts. and, in most instances,
it was impossible even to institute a
prosecution. In each case the foreign
country interested insisted and de-
manded that the United States govern
ment should assert it's authority and
bring the offenders to justice, and
seemed incapable of understanding
why the United States government
should be powerless to act in the prem
Uses.
Speaking of this condition in the SEN
ate, and urging that congress should
enact legislation to enable the federal
government to act in such cases, Sena-
tor Davis of Minnesota, one of our
greatest constitutional and interna-
tional lawyers, said: This government
has been adopting state legislation and
state procedure from the beginning.
The rules of practice and proceeding
are settled by state laws by As differ,
emit codes, by As different rules of right
and property in as many different
states"
This is an ~epitomized statement of
the condition of the United States. in
constitutional and international law.
in the emergency which ~confronts us
when we consider the advisability or
necessity of demanding indemnity or
retI ibution for the outrages which
have been committed in China.
Manifestly our condition, position
and ~precedents are not favorable.
and it is not to be wondered that
u state department officials are will
ing to privately admit that we cannot
expect any consideration from China.
other or better than we have extended
to that country and to other countries
under similar conditions.
When the millennium comes, If not
sooner, statesmen viii see that it is AZ
wise to serve the nations as it is wis.
to serve individuals under the moral
law, which is higher and better than
national or international law. or
diplomacy, SMITH D. FRY.
The capital invested in orange grow.
ing in the state of California is esti
J mated at S44,OOO,OOO.