The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1922-06-29
HERRIN AND THE MOB MENACE.

The jury composed chiefly oi union miners ahu
their svmpathze held the Southern Illinois Coal
sponse for the battle which many noninion miners were
killed at Ierrin, Illinois
high official of the operators association charged that
the United Mine Workers blame for the tragedy and
President the organization back with the
charge that the operators were The cause oil H.
ners are w0 viii tI race The truth in each Of
them probably that both sides the bitter contest which
resulted the coal strike must attach some degree OF euaby
connection with the remote causes oi the terrible outbreak
bloody violence Great vital issues involved IN the struggle
the workers and their employers and this as in other
OF the same kind isn't likely that either side is wholly
in the right and the other wholly in the wrong.
1t is alleged that peaceful union who approached the
property where miners working were wanony
Shot and guards employed by the
company and killings ncened the union miners that
they swooped down the numbers
or more being slaughtered Leaving out
of all disputed points including the matter OF moral
responsibility conditions which undoubtedly operated in
citing causes have here presented clear OF species OF
crime which become all too during the last few
il is nothing more than another outbreak OF the mob spirit
which has been arng up frequently parts OF the
,ountry.
differed essential particular from nobcr that have been
committed elsewhere For the purpose of discussion. may be
nted that be miners who approached the mine were
unjusty down. although the evidence this point not
1t is reasonably clear however that the attacking
believed they justified in exactng and in
ctng punishment upon the ayers of their comrades and they
further believed statements attributed them be credited
that they within their rights in driving the nonunon men
from the mine What the members of the mob did to bs
tute judgment for processes of law which, under the
American system OF provided for Furnishing those
ing rights of individuals And this the Of mobcrme
everywhere the ignoring of law by substituting the decision of
what might be termed illegally constituted for the due
process of law which is fundamental in the American code OF
justice
The errn mob went to more horrible extremes
nary MOB but insofar the principle upon which its bloody action
was based in the spirit which proceeded carry its
purposes concerned identical with the groups of mis-
guided who elsewhere have taken the law into their own
hands, abusing beating numbering their victims. When
admitted that group properly take upon
themselves punish those whom they believe to be deserving OF
punishment without any regard for constitutional methods of
melting justice the opened awlessness and violence
Of Kind and degree anarchy ITSELF because mob
furnishes inspiration for another mob and the mob which COM
mts the shocking crime logically justify itself by the
argument that used the mob which
sponsbe for the lesser crime
There phases of the crime which has been
sweeping the county but than that which
grows OF the disposition the part Of misguided groups of
who either ignorance defiance of American principles
of justice exercise the functions of courts and to n
punishment death itself upon those whom they adudge
be offenders There be society than
large groups openly lawlessness
The action Of the errn mob be condoned paaed with
recognizing principle which, if generally accepted would
undermine the very foundations of government sweeping aside all
the safeguards which the wisdom
lead mankind erect for protection against the vicious
Unless published reports OF the affair grossly misleading
the local authorities Herrn under
condemnation because they did take prevent
outbreak the mine Their manifest indifference gives good
grounds for the belief that they sympathy with pu
OF the mob and thereby who had taken solemn oah
ticay making themselves parties conspiracy against con
stued authority Mobcrime become serious men
order and public safety when they by
those who OF and awssnes The
of Illinois, which has been dgracd by the Herrn
redeem itself public unless possible diligence
punish all guilty connection with the murders Hern in
cuding officers of the law who chargeabe with fu
failure to take steps to prevent the outbreak
Credit have that the sale of weddinp rnos IN
the instalment plan stop Smatte? Don't the weddings
hold long enough to get the rings paid for?