Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-07-15
A FALSE NOTE

blended Win exceilent eueCt. out
most playwrights would keep Charlie
Chaplin out OF the Passion Play. Yet,
almost equally incongruous Is the at
tempt to give a political twist to the
Herrin massacre.
This from the Boston Transcript:
Neither the coal strike negotiations
nor the increasing seriousness of the
railroad strike has made New England
ers forget the scandal and disgrace of
tho Herrin massacre. Nothing has yet
been done by the town of Herrin. the
county OF Williamson or the state of
Illinois 10 avenge that crime or even
10 ascertain the identity OF the MUIR
dorers."
Amen TO that.
But this further from the Tran
script:
Nothing has been done by the Re-
publican senate or the Republican
House Of Representatives at Washing
ton 20 purge either the party in power
or the Federal Government of the
curse Of silence that is surrender be-
fore the challenge involved in this
outrage. Nothing has been done, so
far rs the public knows, by the Repub-
lean President or the Republican Cab
inet 60 induce their fellow Republicans
who arc IN complete control through
out the state OF Illinois to round up
the members of the Herrin mob and
bring them into court of justice.
And yet the Republicans are asking
this year for a vote Of confidence and
n continuance IL power foG another two
years"
Pime.
Responsibility for the punishment
Of this dastardly crime does not rest
upon the Senate, the House Of Rep
resentatives, the President or the
Cabinet II does rest. and rests
heavily upon the executive and judi
cial officers OF the State Of Illinois.
not because they are Republicans or
Democrats. but because they are the
sheriff. the coroner's jury. the district
attorney and the governor
The crime was committed not on
the high seas. or on any territory
over which the Federal government
has Jurisdiction. but in Herrin Coun-
~. Illinois. The courts, moreover,
have decided that the mining Of coal
IL not an act of interstate commerce.
Therefore the President has no more
power to punish the offenders than
has the editor OF the Transcript. Nor
has Congress. Nor have the Federal
courts any Jurisdiction whatever, in
the matter.
In the State Of Illinois alone is
vested the power to bring these GRIM
inals to justice. Should an insurrec-
ton arise against the State of ILL
nois. the President on application Of
its legislature, or OF its executive,
might lawfully employ United States
forces to suppress the instruction.
But no such application has been
made, nor has any situation yet aris-
en- which would legally justify or
even excuse the President in exer-
clsing such power.
That he will exercise 1t fearlessly
and vigorously. whenever the exigen-
cy arises. Is amply demonstrated by
his recent acts and utteranceJ. He
promptly characterized the Herrin
outrage as follows:
Murder is murder wherever com
mitted. by whomsoever committed and
there is never extenuation"
And in his Fourth OF July address
at Marion:
Men must be fire TO live and
Mhn, g., liberty liberty Is gone in America
the right To work and live by that
work. II does not matter who denies.
a free American has the right to
labor without any others leave. II
would nc no less an abrdgement to
deny men to bargain collectively.
Governments cannot tolerate any class
or group domination through force"
And on Wednesday last, in a mat
ter clearly within Federal jurisdic-
ton. the President issued procla-
nation warning striking railway
shopmen against interference with
the transportation OF interstate COM
merce and the mails. and issued in
structions for the mobilization Of
s'NNfS w fAp''RN AlltSc governmental
agencies.
In matters OF this description II IL
no time for appeal to political pas
sions and prejudices. 1t is a time for
cool Judgment. sane counsel and wise
) action. Papers edited with the signal
ability Of the Boston Transcript can
perform a real public service by set.
ting the example OF moderation and
fair treatment in their analysis Of
Presidential acts and utterances.
Let us endeavor to think straight
and speak straight in this matter Of
the Herrin massacre. 1t is Of vital
interest to every American citizen,
Irrespective Of politics. sex or relig-
ion. II is serious enough in fact, and
sinister enough m import. without
being dragged into the realm Of poll
tiles. in which it has no place either
In logic or law.