Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-04-25

gent scheming may be able to accom-
plish this result.
The resolutions adopted most I'M
equiyocally take issue with the doc
trine of necessary evils so persis-
tently disseminated for the last few
years by persons who are, or claim to
be, patriotic citizens. They demand
the enforcement of the law now and
all the time. They deny the theory
that officers have the right to deter
mine whether certain laws shall be
enforced or not. On the contrary, the
resolutions take the position that Off
GERS are bound to regard their oath of
Office, which pledges them to faith
fully discharge the duties'' of their
respective offices.
The language of the resolutions
does not contain the sentiments ex-
pressed above, just as they have been
stated. The spirit of these resolutions
has been interpreted rather than the
words. sit is the spirit that maketh
alive
Indignation meeting, the language
used by some to describe the meeting,
is altogether misleading. 1t was not
an Indignation meeting. 1t runs
deeper than mere feeling and senti-
ment. 1t was not called to denounce
the officers. 1t was not called to de-
nounce anyone. 1t was not called to
denounce even the blind tigers, the
gamblers, and the unhappy women
! who have been reputation by society.
The meeting was protest against
crime and vice and immortality, and
! against the corruption inseparable
from lax and inefficient administra-
ton of law, but it partook Of very lit
tie of the elements of denunciation
and indignation.
The committees are not composed
of fanatics, or men who are given to
mere vapOrings. They are composed,
or were intended to be composed of
men of action. Other meetings held
have not accomplished much. Con-
ditions are possibly worse than when
they were called. The public con-
science is perhaps worse deadened
and corrupted. Possibly this one may
fail Of its purpose. Possibly these
committees may be overwhelmed by
the irresistible strength of municipal
corruption. Possibly they may be-
come discouraged when the magni-
tude of the work to be done and the
difficulties to be encountered become
better understood. Possibly the apa-
thy and cowardice and treachery of
supposed friends of public decency
may largely nullify their efforts.
Already, the criminals are figuring
along this line. They trust to the
children Of darkness being wiser than
the children of light. But their trust
is mingled with fear. 1t is said that
some places that sold liquor yesterday
are not selling it today. 1t is said
that others that sold it yesterday are
more careful about it today Be that
as it may, it may be as well under
that have had an easy lease on life in
| the past are destined to have more
checkered, and militant and unhappy
career in the future. The effort to
redeem this community from the curse
and shame that has been gathering
around it for some time may fail but
most likely there will be some wreck
age to mark the battlefield There is
certain to be if the men who signed
those resolutions lsat night meant
what their signatures implied.
Municipal corruption is the most
conspicuous blot on our institutions.
1t is noticeable all over the country.
1t is matter of comment all over the
world. But civic virtue is not all
dead yet. 1t is not all dead here.
This movement is an evidence of its
continued vitality. While it is pos
sible that this movement may fail,
as others have done before it, still it
is also possible that some criminals
may have to fold their tents and seek
more cnngenial chimes.
After all, the people finally get as
good government as they deserve.
They may have and generally do have,
as good government as they want.
If the movement for the better local
government comes to naught it will
be because they do not want better
govrenmnet. If they continue to be
cursed with gambling shops, saloons,
and disreputable houses it will be
because they prefer vice to virtue. Il
they have the courage, and the pa
triotism, and the manhood to take the
government into their own hands in
stead of being governed by the law
less classes, they may do so. This
| ,,,ovamont NOV NOT no tho curroroe