The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1910-07-22
uAsMoN VS.. PATTERSON.

Gov. Harmon, Of Ohio. has removed
rom once a sheriff and a Mayor who
permitted the mob to lynch a detec-
tive who raided bOotleggers. The
sherin and Mayor were responsible
for the crime. Had they enforced the
Law there would have been no neees-
sity for the raids and the subsequent
Knching would not have taken place.
They received a wen merited punish
ment. They should now be prosecute
ed and sent 10 the penitentary for a
long term Of years.
The mob is utterly indefensible.
There is no excuse for mob violence.
But disregard of the law; fagrant Vio-
lations of its mandates with official
connivance and endorsement will sure
Iy and certainly encourage the mob.
Unless there shall soon be a change
In Nashville and Memphis and the 9TH
er cities Of Tennessee; unless the peo-
ole of those communities become
aroused to the enormity Of the situa-
ton which exists within their bounds
all legal restrain will be broken and
the violent murder of the mob will
supplant the quiet and peaceful pro-
cesses Of the law. The people Of Ten
nessee have sown to the winds; they
will surely reap the whirlwind.
Gov. Harmon's course is highly COM
mendable. He is not prohibiticnist
hut with a due regard for the sanctity
of his oath he purposes to sustain and
uphold the laws of his State. He is
not an anarchist. The anti-prohibi-
zionist who is good citizen, who be-
lieves in law and law enforcement is
not a menace to good government. 1t
is liquor advocates of the type OF Pat
terson and Howse who are a menace
to the peace and safety and quiet OF
the country.
What a contrast there is in the atti-
tude of Harmon and that Of Patterson.
They think alike on the liquor CUES
ton, but their conception Of public
duty is as Numerically opposite as
the poles; they differ in the perform
ance of oflcial duties as the night
from the day. One uses the great
power of his office to enforce the law;
the ether uses his position to encour-
age IawIessness. 1t is true that Pat
terson does not have the power to re-
move faithless oficials but he could
at least permit brave and faithful Of
GERS to enforce the laws.
Harmon removed a sheriff and may
or who permitted q mob to lyncn a
prisoner. Patterson pardonsd men,
bers OF q mob In an adjoining county
who were given jail sentences by a
brave and faithful Judge and attorney
general. That is the difference. 1t
is this difference that has brought
shame and reproach upon the fair
name Of Tennessee; that has made
this State the object Of the scorn and
contempt Of almost every newspaper
In the land.
A mob in Giles county took prison |
er from the custody of the officers and
almost in the presence Of the court
lynched him. The members Of the
mob we're arraigned for contempt, and
on their own agreed statement OF
racts were convicted, given sentences,
appealed to the Supreme Court and
here the sentences were affirmed.
But Patterson promptly interfered
and pardoned the offenders. Never
las there been a more fragrant disre-
yard for the law; never did chief
executive stoop to lower depths. This
S why Tennessee sits in sack cloth
ind ashes; this is the difference be-
ween an executive who loves the law
md one who despises the Law.