The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-07-30
HOUSTON, MONDAY. july 80, 1000
THE LESSON OF EXPERIENCE.

New Orleans has passed through an ex-
perience in mob violence which afords
food for reflection to every muLicpali-
ty in the country.
This experience has been occasloned
from causes possible Of reproduction in
almost any city of the South, and capa-
bic Of similar results. AL therefore.
which the Times Democrat Of the 26th in
slant says in the following admirably
timed argument, can be read with profit
in other communities than that OF New
.prleans-just now recovering from an
ordeal OF blood and terror:
The events Of the last two days contain a
lesson which should be craven deep in the
memory OF all. In the first place. the incom-
ptIeuCy Of the police stands out IN hiSn re
IoL II IS indeed. only 100 ulaln that a
cc!ruarauyely small force OF cesolute men
might haze brought the rioters TO terms AZ
IN. outset. bur the golden moments were
Gufsrel 10 slip by. IL wall, We think. re tue
consensus of opinion that the Ultimate re
spousihility for the lath1s OF the guard ans
OF the public Leace rests with the board o.
police commissioners. IL ts notorious that
the body in question has tine and again al
lowed offenders against discipline to 20 scot
free. or to explate their onenscs by the pay
u.ent os trifins fines The result has been
disastrous. In a double sense the ponce nave
licked the brsCinr sense OF duty, ana they
have forfeited the respect Of the element with
which they ara called uDon 10 deal IS
natural consequence OF the emeute OF Weaaes-
daT. there Will be a universal demand t9r
radical changes in the personnel and metnod1
ei the board The magnitude Of the interests
al stake leaves no alternative a great com,
r1ercia CITY can not live II II DO not auoru
absolute guarantees for the safety OF capita
sud labor New Orleans is In no position Il
endure the assaults OF irresponsible mobs
for we must needs economic cur strength
we are to hold place In the PROCESSION
OF mod m progress. =,
The bloody horseulay OF the mobs is full o
instruction for the whole south 1t is evl
dent that the grand idea OF white suprenAf
has become the stalking horse OF anarchy
this part OF the Union. II can not be 10
quickly aud conclusiveiy shown tnat hesi
rule was not shattered for the mere purpos
Of placing the rens in the hands OF whit
disciples Of the commune. The Caucasian
row In control Of all departments OF the GOV
srnment, aud he must attest his claim
superiority by rigid and impartial eXercu
OF rover Every Industrious aud law-aD an
negro must be protected in his life and nroi
ertv: the thriftless and lawless must
punished nv inhexbe but purely legal met
DDS Communities can not, any more tins
individuals afford to play with hre
In free government public opinion vs. al
powerful and officials are always du ck
swim with the tide. The solid citizens
Now orleans should therefore, use az IN,
influence 70 raise the standard Of ann nj
tra,ion so that the red hag of brute for
shall never again be raised in our midst
behooyes the colored people especlailY 10 ke
close watch on wretches OF the Charl
typs so that incidents like the murder
Day and Lamb shall never be repeated hel
Human passion does not move along the lin
of logic: blood Is thicker than water. Let
classes of our population. therefore. hold
tn, hands Of the constituted authorities
that rich and poor white aud black m
work together for the general good
Police and peace officers are too pro
10 accept public opinion as guide to pc
formance, even when that opinion poir
10 neglect of duty and Is fashioned
frenzy or prejudice. Not alone is Il
true OF police officers Not infrequen
the high official OF the State or the jud
upon the bench. supposed to be free fr'
the rabble, is swerved from duty's lii
by the tide of public opinion. Public OPT
ion is, then, responsible for the mistak
the weaknesses and errors Of governme
But this public opinion may be eleyat
10 respect for law and order and 10
mlnd the enforcement OF the one aud
preservation OF the other. In that ale
lies the dignity, the honor and the sal
of society