The Washington herald., 1922-08-12

herrln nave passed Dg uunOllCeo. as
the lynching of scores each year
fails to elicit editorial comment?
WAS il only because OF the magni-
tude of the "Herrin Disgrace" that
you were aroused from your legar-
thy? II this latter is true. then the
death Of those men at Herrin may
react to some useful purpose: IL
may awaken others to the unwsr-
ranted lack of law and order in
our country.
The State governments. utterly
impotent or absolutely unmindful
of their duty to protect each citi-
zen, have either been forced or have
permitted the lawless element to
spread mob violence throughout
this land until today hardly a sin
gle star in our American fag is
not stained with the blood OF the
victims OF this tyranny.
Yet some say that the Federal
government created to promote do
mestic tranquility. to protect life
and liberty. and its citizens In the
pursuit of happiness. IL powerless
under the Constitution TO act Are
we not citizens of the United States
as well as Of the State wherein we
reside? Does not the American Flag
guarantee us protection In foreign
lands. II a foreign country DEM
onstrated it's unwillingness OF in
ability to protect the lives and
property OF American citizens resi-
dent and situated therein. would
not the entire military forces OF the
Federal government compel that
foreign government to aford the
necessary protection? Does this
power. 90 great. cease when the
same depreciation is committed
upon the lives OF citizens at home
Can this Federal government pro-
tect it's citizens more completely In
foreign countries than in one OF its
own States?
Live in Mexico and the army and
navy will guard you from bandits.
Move across the line into Texas.
and the mob can lynch you without
the Federal army or navy being
able TO stand guard to prevent the
bloodthirsty criminals from collect
ing souvenirs OF their ghastly VIC
tim.
Those who argue against Fed
eral law seeking to curb ana pro-
hibit mob violence make our noble
government weak and eneminate
indeed.
The States have a police power
a vague indefinite phrase under
which they can pass any law neces-
ssry for the protection OF the
health. comfort and safety and
morals OF their citizens. II is said
that the Federal government has
no inherent police power. Why? III
the Federal government. as an In
herent right OF its sovereignty, may
not pass any law necessary for the
health. safety. comfort and morals
Of the people Of these United States.
then II is a useless burden on tax
payers to permit the Federal gov
eminent to continue.
II the several states are unable
or unwilling to protect the lives and
property OF American citizens. the
Federal government can and should
do so. The citizen of the United
states. and of each State owes TO
the Federal government allegiance
either in time OF war or national
emergency. In return for this sup
port. the Federal government owes
to each citizen the full protection
OF it's governmental machinery. No
State OF citizens OF a State have
right to destroy a citizen OF the
United States except by due process
OF law. II any State does interfere
with the right. this fundamental
right of life OF a citizen OF the
United States. the United states
government can move TO protect
that citizen or the United states
government is an empty name. Such
q law should be enacted and state
ments regarding the constitutional
ity of the law should be left TO the
Supreme Court. The Federal gov
ernment must demonstrate its de-
termination to rid the country OF
this menace.
WALTER II. MAzYKE.