New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-01
A NEW "IRREpRESsIBLE ooyFLICT!-

Stewards historic phrase fittingly summed up
the issue in the greatest crisis through which
the American Republic has ever passed. Events
at Springfield, Ohio suggest that q phrase
which was thought TO have passed into his
tory may again be brought into use 10 desig
nate the battle of race antagOnisms which
old as the races themselves Tuesdays riot
at Springfield was only a repetition larger
scale of the race war In the same city in 1904.
In the present case II is easily seen that the
old rancor had not been allayed, but only smoth-
cred for a time. TO fame up in a new con-
fagratiOn Of passions. The cry of the twelve
hundred Infatuated men who invaded the negro
section of the city TO avenge the wOundng of
two white men was BURN the JUNGLE" All
the police force of the city was barely able to
prevent that contamination long enough for
the arrival OF state troops TO enforce order
and guard property and lives
1t is unnecessary TO endeavOr to show the
right or the wrong in the case. Had the two
white men been wounded by whites under sim
liar circumstances there would have been ar
rests and legal trial, and so an end Of the
matter. That is evident on the face of affairs
and the fact that a wholly different proceeding,
Involving the innocent as well as the guilty,
was promptly resolved upon indicates clearly
enough that race antagOnisms were RESPONSE
bic for this violent outbreak against authority
York, with the memory Of recent race riots in
this city painfully distinct. cannot throw a
stone at Springfield. Neither can Ohio's neigh
boring states. Indiana Illinois, or even Penn
sylvania, assume gracefully the role of admon-
fishing Ohioans against allowing primitive race
prejudices TO control their actions and run
away with their reason The Southern states,
on the contrary, and especially the states in
the BLACK belt" may naturally be tempted TO
point 70 Northern riots 9a n sufficient
10 Northern criticisms of Southern outrages of
a similar character.
But the not infrequent disclosure under SINH
lar circumstances. of the same attitude North
and South toward the colored race must not be
taken as an excuse for mob law in any sec.
ton. state or city of the Union. In the words
of Lincoln. There is no grievance that is n
MT object Of redress by mob law" Society and
civilization itself are founded upon the respect
of the individual for law. Once allow that re-
spect 10 be diminished. or worse still TO be
olsregarded, IN the case OF the negro and II Is
only natural and logical step to disregard II
in the case Of the Chinaman and the Japanese
OF different natiOnalitieS OF the white race and
finally Of individuals. thus resolving society
. into Its elements, with chaos as the result
. AS Garfield said in his inaugural address: THE
supremacy OF the nation and its laws should
mo longer be a subject OF debate" No one
should offer excuses apologies for race VIC
lence or mob violence whether 1t occur in New
York, in Springfield or In some Southern state
mob should be dealt with precisely as an indi-
vidual is dealt with, and If the city or the
state Is not a5le thus to deal with IL recourse
should be had 10 the authority of the whole
country. FOR the interests and dignity Of the
whole country are involved in every such case
as that Of the Springfield riot
further consideration pertains 10 the final
outcome OF this new "irrepressibie conflict"
10 make an adaptation of another great phrase
which also was supposed TO have passed into
history. we may ask. Can the Republic sur-
I'VE paFi white ana part black? We believe It
can. blsDeief in such Il would imply lack
Of faith In the forces which have been ar ,,ori,