The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-04-29
THE HATTIESBURG NEWS

In view of the fact that His Elk
cellency, Gov. Noel is at an early date,
to address the citizens Of our city
on the great and vital subject of Law
and Order" I beg your indulgence for
small amount of space in your pa
per that l may give expression to
few thoughts which suggest them
selves to my mind in this connec-
ton.
A good citizen can but commend
the action of any one looking to a.
betterment of the social and moral
conditions of the community, the Grad
ication of crime and viciousness, but,
excepting extreme cases, l question
the advisability of giving too much
publicity to things Of this sort, and
the methods too frequently employed
to accomplish certain ends.
During our reconstruction days, af-
ter the civil war, the Ku-Klux Clan and
the Red Shirt Brigade were organized
to meet and check certain desperate
conditions which threatened the
home and life of every selfrespecting
white person in the South and after
| having checked the tide of degenera-
ton which was swelling far too rapid
ly, the promoters of these organiza-
| lions in their wisdom thought best to
disband and leave the situation in the
hands of the civil authorities, return
| ing to their former avocations in the
pursuit of freedom and happiness.
| say in these instances, and Others
which l might mention, the methods
employed were justified by the ex-
tremity Of the situation. But in this
day and time, when every white man
can go to the polls and cast his ballot
deliberately, there expressing his con-
viction that every man for whom he
votes, from the chief executive of
the nation down to the smallest town
ship guardian of the peace, is qualified
morally and mentally to protect his
life and property I think it is a
Reflection upon the citizenship of
any community when it is made
known that outside help is invoked in
the enforcement of our laws.
l believe on the whole, that Hat
tiesburg is little better and a little
cleaner than most cities of our size
I believe in the honesty and integrity
of the officers whom we have elected
to look after our municipal affairs;
l believe in the integrity of our po-
lice department from the chief down to
the latest recruit; l believe in the
moral character of our mayor and his
courage to execute his convictions
l believe in the sound judgment and
morality of our police justice and his
earnest endeavor to execute justice
fairly and impartially, and think that
any intimation that these officers are
not capable and anxious to execute
faithfully the trust imposed upon
them is reflection upon the entire
citizenship who are responsible for
their election.
1t may be wise to organize a law
and order league in Hattiesburg, and
if such be the case bid it God speed
and stand ready to help the good cause
along. But l think If these questions
were left more to the disposition of
those who are supposed to take care
OF them and the same amount of time
and energy devoid to thrift and indus
try, the building up of our towns and
: cities in an industrial way, the exploit
! alton and development Of our resources
the instilling Of energy and confidence
in our business enterprises, l think
we would have less need for a law
and order league and become more and
more convinced that activity and
thrift are the greatest enemies to and
eradicators OF crime.
The method heretofore employed by
law and order leagues have been fal
toI iadlca', l think, inasmuch as TIE
nIa'o object Of those engaged in the
work appears to be the ishment 81
the criminal more than the removal Of
the cause which produces the crime
II some cases innocent parties have
been induced to commit crime in o.
der to get evidence sufficient to con
l vict snd Punish some other criminal
1 You have got to get hold of the SOUL
of mr before the cause of crime il
| eradicated and the way to do this i
not by thirsting for the blood of tn
evil der.
/ The seed of the woman has bruised