New-York tribune., 1903-07-07
ANOTHER LESSON FROM THE MOB.


Two mObs roaming the streets of Evansville
and twenty-four hours of terror in that Indiana
city should teach the whole country lessons
which an increasing number of individuals re-
fuse TO learn. Last Friday a negro who was
purposing TO murder a man with whom he had
Quarreled, if he could find him, shot and killed
the policeman by whom he was about to be ar
rested. mob surrounded the Jail, demanded
the prisoner, refused to believe that he had been
secretly removed to another town, forced their
way to the cells after having been once re-
pulsed, and then, ascertaining that lneir in
tended victim was gone, began to cry for ven
geance and organize indiscriminate attack
the colored population. But the negroes
themselves were by this time in a mood for
rioting, and both sides, having broken into
shops and stolen arms and ammunition started
on debauch of violence and general lawless-
ness. Troops were ordered TO Evansville, but
they did not respond promptly, and when yes
terday dawned there was great fear Of massa-
ere before the day was over. After an anxious
delay however, detachment OF the militia ap-
peared and the danger became less acute,
though there was nothing like real security and
settled order even then. Moreover, while the
results seemed almost trivial in comparison
with what had been looked for, there had been
a promiscuous discharge of weapons, several
persons had been wounded, one or two deaths
are reported, and at a late hour yesterday it
appeared not improbable that a new access OF
fury might enable the rioters to defy the au-
thorities again.
1t will be noted that the crime for which ex-
citable persons who do not think straight are
always ready to contend that ynching is the
one appropriate punishment had not been COM
mitted or threatened That is a peculiarly in
structive fact for it illustrates the facility
with which lawlessness overruns the limit set
for it by those who urge that under certain cir
cumstances it is justifable-or that as they
prefer to say, a higher law supersedes the
statute and demands the obedience Of all good
citizens. This swift and sure infection is not
matter of forecast 1t has appeared and is at
work in many parts Of the country. week or
two ago Wilmington was the scene Of its opera
tions. Yesterday and the day before there was
a vIrulent outbreak In Evansville. To-day it
may reveal ITSELF for aught we can see, in al
most any place on the map of the United
States
The source Of this detestable and ominous
fever was among those who first paltered with
and then denied a fundamental truth Of civil
izatiOn, with treason to principles which they
had themselves been accustomed to maintain in
every form and to their own records of hon
orable citizenship. The poison would not have
spread far if men, and women, who are not
naturally turbulent or reckless had not taken
pains to disseminate it and argue that 1t was
good for the body polite. We firmly believe
that the only weapon which can be safely and
effectively opposed to lawlessneSs of any kind
or degree is the law. Effectively? Yes, beyond
a doubt. The crime for which hanging and
burning, with every feature of hideous torment
is declared to be the only adequate penalty is
not decreasing. 1t multiplies-muItiplies we
are convinced, because Of the very methods en-
plOyed to stop it and to make the mere thought
OF indulgence in 1t appalling to the mind; and
meanwhile the spirit which every such passion
ate usurpaton Of judicial authority reflects and
feeds breaks its original bonds and riots through
| the country.
We do not believe that the civilization of the
United States is going to be wrecked in this
way, but we do believe that it can be saved
only by combination Of the same elements of
society to assert and, If need be, to maintain
by lawful means the supremacy Of law. Every
sheriff has the power to summon a posse The
peaceable and rational majority Of citizens
within his jurisdiction, If they should place
themselves under his orders, would constitute
legal force, and force competent to restore
order wherever it was invaded. There are some
unhappy indications that state of things is
approaching for which such a remedy as that
must be somewhat widely employed.