The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-07
HOUSTON. TUESDAY, AUGUST :, 1000
TEN PAGES TODAY
THE KENruoKy ooNsprRAroRs.

It is just possible that the country att
large is falling to appreciate properly or
regard with sufficient popular apprehen-
sion the wider political aspect Of theI
Kentucky trouble as disclosed by the tes-
timony in the Caleb Powers trial. The
personal interest of the case and the nat
ural tendency to look only at the specific
crime under investigation, may be obscur-
ing from public contemplation those more
important causes and consequences OF the
assassination which were, and may yet
be. endangerlng self-goVemment and even
organized society itself in kentucky and
elsewhere In the country.
Powers own testimony conwots him
at least OF being an accessory before the
fact. in morals IL not In law. in the as
sassination of Goebel. He admits his act
Ave participation in the movement TO I'LL
the Kentucky capital with armed bands
OF semi civilized and lawless mountain
GERS. who understood that their mission
was to overawe or terrorize the DEM
ocrats and assist in seating the repub-
LEANS by force. The evil purposes of
the mob are clearly shown in his testi-
mony.
This was a specific attack upon the
laws and pchtsoal institutions OF the
State and the regular order of society.
1t was high-handed outrage that was
direct Invitation TO personal assault
and murder. William Goebel's death was
the natural outgrowth OF this conspiracy
and Messrs, Taylor and Powers and all
others NNo aided In creating the threaten
ing conditions are morally guilty as ac-
cessories to that most foul murder.
The brazen impudenoe with which Pow
ers has admitted the organization and the
successive developments OF this armed
assault upon the governmental institu.
lions and good order OF Kentucky indicates
the existence of public sentiment among
Kentucky republicans that should b.
viewed with alarm everywhere in the Uni
ted States. If such eonspiracies can be
openly organized there, why not in many
of the other States? II legislature IN
one of the Oldest States in the Union car
be intimidated by armed mobs and tn,
leaders OF such mobs go unwhipped o
Justice. a most dangerous precedent ant
example to the lawless elements of citi.
Eenship has been set.
But now occurs to the thoughtful mint
the most important reflection arising from
this ugly business--what must we think O
or fear from great political party tina
places one of these ohlet conspirator
against law and order upon the platform
at its National convention and tender
him conspicuous ovation; or OF the hgf
officials OF that party In another state
who protect him as In an asylum of ref.
uge? II the example Of the armed ant
bloody minded mob OF State in ats at
tempt to break down the ordinary safe
guards OF republican self-goyernment /,
not enough to arouse apprehension a
to whittier we are drifting, after a hun
dred years Of trial OF republican irstnu-
tons. what must be said of the endorse
ment and encouragement OF the mob given
by the officials and leaders Of the dornl-
naDt political party o, the Nation?
These are great Issues and questions
that grow out OF this Kentucky affair
and they rise paramount to all considera
lions OF a merely personal or individual
character that surround the trial now IL
progress In the old Blue Grass State.