The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-11
MODS AND THEIR TREATMENT.
Like Pirates, They Are Enemies of the
Human Race and Deserve No Mercy.

To the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal:
AS usual, the Journal sounds clear note
in the matter Of the Evansville jail-raiders.
Governor Durbin, too. meets the highest
expectations of his best friends by his reso-
lutte words and still more resolute action.
His conduct is refreshing in contrast with
the time-serving timidity of Evansville's
complacent mayor. There is but one thing
more contemplate than a mob. and that Is
an official who cringes before its threats.
We cannot afford to compromise with mobs.
In the case OF all other difficulties that be-
set the State, it may be expedient to parley.
but the mob is outside the pale of nego-
tiations, denied the benefits of the flag of
truce, and to be fought only under the black
ensign signifying mo quarter" In the
olden times pirates. by general agreement
of nations were placed in a class TO them
selves and labeled enemies of the human
race" Mobs belong in the same category,
and for the same reasons. The organiza-
ton of mob is declaration of war upon
society, both in its abstract and concrete
form. No matter what the crime of its
victim may be-rape, murder, arson, or all
together-the crime of the mob Is infinitely
greater. Its offense is all other crimes
rolled into one. Its attack is upon liberty,
individually and collectively, against CIV
ilization itself. Every blow 1t strikes, every
shot ii fires, is at the very heart of the
Nation. There may be some palliation for
all other crimes and some mercy shown for
every other criminal The paroon may ar
rive as the moose is being adjusted. But
the mob is always wrong and cannot, I'M
der any circumstances, ever be right. 1t
commits the objectionable sin, the sin
against light and knowledge, and no pun
ishment which this world the next af-
fords is adequate TO meet its high offending.
The Nation has confronted many perils,
but no danger so deadly as that rejected
from the CLASSY eyes OF the mob monster.
Under the poison glands of this spreading
adder turks hostile menace surprising
high tide of rebellion on Gettysburg hills,
and worse than war, famine and pestilence
combined. The mob, therefore, is not to
be talked TO or reasoned with, but killed
on sight like a mad wolf. No bullet is
ever so well directed as that which knocks
out the member of a mob. Nor need any
sympathy or commiseration be wasted on
those who fall in such a cause. The COM
FUNCTIONS of conscience are out of place
when the business in hand is the scalding
of chinchbugs or the determinations OF
venomous reptiles.
Aside from these general considerations
several features connected with this Evans
Vile AFFAIR are worthy of special notice.
The papers announce that many boys, mere
stripnngs were in the mob and chief actors
in storming the Jail. 1t is somewhat dis
couraging that boys, just emerged from the
Fourth of July din, supposed TO be a school
of patriotism, should so soon be graduating
in the higher school of anarchy. Organized
labor, We are also Informed, wants it un-
derstood that il is irreconcilably opposed to
the militia, and workingmen, IN the heart
OF the city, jeered at the indianapolis troops
as they marched TO the station on their way
to the seat of trouble. Organized labor
had better have care. The militia stands
tor the State; ii represents law and order.
To attack il, therefore, is TO attack the
State If the assault be made by word of
mouth it is constructive treason. If by
overt act it is actual treason, which is le-
gally defined as levying war against the
state rendering aid and encouragement
TO its enemies. In organized labor proposes
10 identify itself with the mob in opposition
to orderly rule, it Will De very bad for or
ganiZed labor. If IL intends to declare war
against the militia, which in time of dam
ger is the governments arm OF defense,
still worse for organized labor. The mailed
hand of the government, once stretched
forth, is no respecter of persons when those
persons are arrayed in opposition to its
authority. All will go down before it,
whether they be mObs. anarchistic agitators
or disgruntled members of labor unions.
A nation which has crushed rebelious
armies hundreds of thousands strong will
hardly quail before cowardly mobs or their
abettors of high low degree.
CHARLES y. MATHEWS
Indianapolis. July 9.