The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-10-30

order of dismissal-without even read
ing the evidence. What protection,
pray tell me, has an officer or enlisted
man, for either his life or his reputa-
ton, in performing active duty under
such a commander-in-ch chief?
And when should an officer dealing
with a mob give his men the command
to fire? Common sense, law, military
practice and precedent all answer not
until 1t appears that less rigorous
measures will no longer suffice. It is
purely a tactical question for him to
decide. In the Chicago riots growing
out of the Debs strikes in 1895, the reg
ular troops were on duty there for
days and days. They were stoned, shot
at occasionally and treated to all man
ner of indignities. They were fighting
almost continually, using the butts of
their pieces and sometimes their bay
onets, but they seldom, if ever, fired.
l affirm and will always affirm, that
firing had never become necessary at
any time while 1 was still in charge
of the situation at Statesboro.
GeOrEians Love Fair Play.
1.-THE people of Georgia love fair deal
ing and fair play. They are prompt to
approve the right, and are quick to
denounce and condemn injustice. With
the power and the agencies of govern
ment which the white people of the
state placed in your hands to be used
Tor just purposes, and which under your
oath of office you have sworn to so use
you sought to dishonor me in the eyes
of my own people in order to exhon-
crate and shield yourself, and because
you thought my sacrifice would secure
for you the popular approval.
The result has been just the contrary
II the kilograms and letters which I
have received, and the personal ex-
pressions which l have heard on all
sides, and from all sections, are any
indication, l am now honored by the
white people of Georgia more than ever
before, while your name is a by-word
among thousands who were formerly
your friends and supporters.
Your first attempt at milftarism has
1 fear, been fraught with disaster
Some good lessons, however, NAV AL
ways be drawn from the most unhappy
experiences. Stop calling out your
soldiers on every trivial occasion of
apprehended riot. Order the sheriff
to summon his posse comitatus as ha
has done under the English and the
American law for hundreds Of years.
Swear i'm Men of County.
Have him call to his aid and s,,aa-
In for service the able-bodied and law
abiding men of his county, and puhIic
order can be and will be maintained
Teach the people local government.
let them practice it, and once more
we will get in sight of our ancient
moorings from which of late we have
been so rapidly drifting.
Il stated to the court of inquiry. I
declared before the court-martial. and
1 now repeat. that in my Judgment I
discharged my full duty as a soldier
at Statesboro. as well as my duty as
a man. 1t was a hard duty to per-
form, such as has never before con-
fronted an officer of the state troops.
II did my duty as / saw IL, and each
passing day has convinced me more
and more that / saw IL Alright. have
no apologies to make. My conscience
is clear, my confidence in the correct
ness of my course mistaken, and I am
content. You, 1 am sure, cannot say
os much. Very respectfully, your obe-
dent servant.
Robert M. Hitch.