The Washington herald., 1909-01-17

than ore complaint Of his attitude to-
ward Montgomery County. and II IS
difficult to escape the impression that he
has played politics with a very danger
Gus situation clarksviile has asked for
troops more than once. Gov. A. +. VIII
son. Of Kentucky. has qusrtered them in
the disturbed district across the State
line. and now he has control Of the situa-
ton. He has enough evidence, IL is said.
TO I'll half a dozen peuitentiaries with
night riders. and he is only waiting until
the pail Of terror passes away from the
country, that juries may dare to convict
without fear OF assassination. TO open up
a series Of legal campaigns. With troops
quartered IN Montgomery County at the
time Of Rufe Hunters murder. as they
are now quartered in obion County. Gov.
Patterson might have stiffened UP the
courage Of witnesses and tUries. assured
the tremblers against assassination.
brought about the punishment OF the
guilty, and put an end to the reign Of
terror in that part Of Tennessee. Why
did he not do this2
cannot tell. but more than one citizen
Of Clarksville says that it is because
the political situation in Montgomery
County is in the control OF the night rid
ers and their sympathizers: charge I do
not make myself and can only repeat for
its face value
The governor steadily refused TO make
any statement with regard 10 the night
rider situation while IN Northwestern
Tennessee. saying
i am not here 10 talk. but TO act"
Action cOmssiendabIe.
His action in the Reelfoot Lake district
is certainly 10 be commended. and it has
been very S,opula> In Obion County. Il Is
hard 10 understand why be did not take
similar action in Montgomery County
months ago. but this inaction has been
popular among many Of the voters OF
Montgomery County Il is TO be hoped
that he viii turn MS attention from Reel
foot Lake 10 the country around CIarks-
vile. which needs such attention Just as
badly as Northwestern Tennessee did be-
fore the troops were sent there.
But in the END il is not what the gov
ernor Of the State says or does in time
community from, anarchy. The commun-
ity must save itself. and that is what
Montgomery County is CALAMITY striving
to do In spite Of the fact that the coun-
try round about is in control OF organized
lawlessness; in spite OF the fact that
witnesses and juries are so subject 10 in
timidation that murder goes unpun'shed
and convictions are frankly impossible.
there are hundreds Of men in ClsrksvilIe
who are wise enough to see the iawless-
ness is no cure for lswiessness; who
guard themselves and their homes and
keep their self-conJroi and abstain from
the reprisaIs 10 which their feelings
prompt them. and who are, IN short. the
unperceived moral force which keeps the
community from flying absolutely 10
pieces. They thoroughly understand that
the community IS on trial. and more than
the community. and they refrain from
/ any action, calculated further 10 compli-
cate the issues
More than the community is on trial
a form OF government is receiving the
( severest of tests at Clarksville. AmeTi-
can Institutions ard the capacity OF
/ Americans 10 preserve them undegraded
are being tried out In this comparatively
/ restricted arena.
And In spite of the fact that 7 have
/ been seeing some OF the -.lawless dis
trictsr al close range lately. I have a
I kind Of faith. Illogical enough perhaps
/ when the facts are considered. that this
/ lawlessness IS teaching some OF the peo-
/ pie who are Up against 1t the lesson Of
the necessity of law. and that the qUes-
/ ton 0f ClarksvilIe viii ultimately be an
Z swered. in more places than Clarksville,
, in the right way.