The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-08-20
RETURN OF REASON.

That suggestion from Lyon county
that Governor Wilson withdraw the
troops and grant absoution to the
original night riders that they might
assist him in bringing about a reign
OF law and order is one of those ex=
pressions that sound all right. but
don't mean anything. Governor VIII
son is confronted with anarchy Ger
tain men have agreed to tell what
they know of the outrages in the ter
rorized district on condition that they
be given protection. both while they
are testifying and while the danger
continues. For that purpose he sent
soldiers into the Black Patch. and as
confidence in the ability OF the state
to protect witnesses grows. evidence
accumulates. 1t is not. so much for
the purpose of defying the soldiers,
as of inspiring terror in the hearts Of
repentant night riders. that. outbreaks
frequently occur in isolated sections
of counties under military patrol.
The request that soldiers be with
drawn. so that the citizens may hold
themselves responsible for the main
tenance of good order, casts suspicion
on the motives of those, who make ii.
They could lend a helping hand to the
state under promise of pardon just as
well with the soldiers present as
absent.
But all such speculation is idle, for
l. 90
the governor with the proposal that
members OF the original night rider
Organization themselves will sternly
suppress the more violent members?
The governor cannot act on mere
rumor The proposal must come from
some authoritative source. He can
not offer general amnesty TO all
Original night riders. - There are
desperate characters in the band. as
the story from Eddyville admits. and
TO condone their offenses would
amount to a license for them to com
nit more crimes. The governor is
granting pardons to those who con-
fess and aid the state. That is all he
can do. He cannot break his pledge
with those, who have relied on his
promise, confessed their guilt and
turned states evidence" Should he
withdraw his soldiers, the night riders
would Immediately murder every wit
ness for the state. and chose original
night riders" seeing all danger of
Exposure and damages removed. prob
ably would consider themselves in
honor bound to protect their fellow
incendiaries and abusers Of women.
These men. reared in Christian
homes, educated I'M public schools,
taught from infancy that the way OF
the transgressor Is hard. and know
ing the law and the character of their
associates, deliberately took a blood
oath at clandestine meetings, and
rode forth armed and masked in the
might time to attack sleeping citizens,
burn their property and provoke re-
tahat.on. They schOoled themselves
in the defenses OF our criminal pro
oedure under the direction Of skilled
lawyers, they initiated county Off
lcials, and in the Third judicial oincult
have regarded themselves as immune
from punishment.
But the federal court was out Of
the reach of their political manipu.a.
tions. and federal juries beyond the
lsway of their terror inspiring oath
The might rider alibi'' became q
thing for ridicule. and Impeachment
by their sworn allies Of no avail. This
Original night riders learned tina
they could be muloted in damages
} and though they could destroy othe
mems property without a twinge o.
conscience. the loss OF their owl
wealth turned their thoughts toward
the pleasant paths of peace and recti
tude
They found. too, that. though thei
juries might indict witnesses who ex
posed them. and the local court
might convict. the governor coulC
pardon and his soldiers could protect
: They are checkmated. The lying
tongues of lawyer-politicians in the
Black Patch have been rebuked. A
reaction is evidenced by the veal
plea OF the ''origlnal night riders" FOL
the withdrawal OF troops; and Just a
soon as right and justice come into
their own, ip the Third judicial DIS
trict. the smoke Of burning barns IN
the Back Patch will clear away. tbs
bloody stripes on the backs OF Ameri
can citizens will heal and women and
children will sleep on top OF theil
beds Instead Of under them. no longel