Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1921-02-01
NOW GO AHEAD

The Deming Graphic is somewhat
persistently and excitedly seeking to
misrepresent the attitude Of this paper
In the matter Of the sixteen Yillistas
pardOned by Governor LArrnzOIo and 10
reflect upon the New Mexican's Ameri-
canism I'm this connection. Incidental
ly the Deming paper makes IL clear
that II advocates a fair and impartial
hanging Of the Mexicans without any
unnecessary delay, and points with
pride TO Deming's charitable action In
not lynching them.
We are not interested particularly in
the Graphic's attempted preachments
ON patriotism. but 10 keep the record
clear on this matter. we reiterate EN-
phatically that II was improper and
undesirable TO saddle the board and
keep Of these Ignorant human ami
mails tools ~ murtitrous nHStrr
mind" at rate OF $4,000 a year upon
the taxpayers OF New Mexico for the
rest OF their natural lives while the
archcrirlinal Is subsidized, liOnized as
a hero and permitted 10 exist In Inn
munity and luxury; that their depOr-
tation TO Mexico would have been Ear
more desirable that their casees
should have been handled summarily
10y the federal administration whose
incompetence made the raid possible I:
that the expense Of their trials should
never have been laid upon the state :;
and that their execution will in no wise
explate the crime Of Columbus While
their determination may be- just as de-
drable. It will In no way satisfy the
claims of justice than killing a rattle
snake which has bitten you and
ing the person who dropped II down
your neck
so the Graphic may 90 ahead and in
sist on the hanging But let it devote
its attentions TO the hanging and not to
| seeking 10 pose as monitor on Amer
icanism.
The New Mexican, a periodical that
paively admits that II Is always right,
seeks to misrepresent the Graphic and,
lncidently the American Legion and a
large number Of New Mexico citizens
In their attitude toward the sixteen
vlllistas pardoned by governor LARA
i aUlbs it NiulliiAi AuN AfNtl ANiAlNihT
ed that the Villistas ought TO be hung
or punished in any other way except
lfter due trial and conviction for muir
der. IL does contend, however, that
they should receive the same treatment
which all other convicted criminals re-
ceive.
| In this connection the Graphic would
like to enquire by what process of logic
the New Mexican arrives at the con
clusion that the wurderers should be
turned loose on the ground that 1t costs
the state a large sum TO keep them II
Is to be Supposed that the New Mexi
can defends all the other pardons OF
Governor larrazOl0 ON economic
grounds. Why not turn all the crimi
mails loose and cut off the entire eX-
pense? For what purpose are the peo-
pie taxed to maintain the state peni-
tertiary?
The answer to those questions proba-
bly, would indicate the source Of the
New Mexican's sympathy for the muir
derers who are Ignorant human ami
mals." Most criminals are ignorant
and more or less british or they would
not he separated from society and
Gagged. The plea OF Ignorance" isn't
worthy Of consideration.
Faulty reasoning is quite apparent
in the suggestion that II is all wrong
to hold the bandits captured while their
leader and others who escaped are pen
stoned by the Mexican government. Il
is generally known that one Francisco
villa is under indictment in Luna coun-
| ty and certainly would he tried fos
murder should he come within the
| Jurisdiction of the district court. II Is
not the fault OF Luna county citizens
nor of the United States Army that
villa has not paid the penalty for his
crimes But to say that because the
master mind cannot he apprehende,l
his partners In crime should be pardon
ed Is introducing pretty much of an In
novation In Jurisprudence.
The Graphic is ready to admit that
the case against the Nillistas should
have been federal matter; but again,
| the necessity for the administration Of
Justice is too apparent to enter into the
legal tangles Of jurisdiction and the
other fine points of law by which the
| New Mexican seeks nm opening to allow
those guilty Of murder to escape.
All that Luna county citizens desire
is that the guilty be punished.
Is there anything indicative or m-
Just about that?
Who. by seeking TO allow the guilty
to escape, has again placed Nillistas
| in the shadow Of the gnllows?
The VilliStas do not have to submit
I to a trial before Luna county jury.
II there is no evidence against them
they will certainly he set free by an i'm
partial jury.
But what meaS,re of mercy will New
Mexicans ask for Mexican bandits who
were found with arms lin their hands
at Columbus on the morning Of March
., 1916?