The Colorado statesman., 1922-07-08

HE wholesale killings at Herrln'
Ill. can be described only as coiu-
i blooded, brutal, fiendish, coward
J., ,,,ossocre Those who attempt to
nalliate or explain the inhumah crlihe
are lacking in moral sense. Inc men
slaughtered were engaged in an EN-
r,ovment that was lawful, however un
popular in the immediate loc'li'S'
There was even question as "
whether they were violating the laws
of the miners organization. At any
rate most of the working men ueo
together and shot or beaten TO uea'"
after capture were ignorant OF any IN
tended offense. ;,
The anti-lynching law pendlng Ill
Congress. opposed by mob sympatni"-
and constitutional hair splitters' meh''
if in force. have made the authoritles
of the county in which these besuai
crimes were committed, somewhat
more interested in the performance OIL
the duties they were sworn and palu
TO discharge. A heavy and richly JUS
titled monetary penalty would nave
been imposed upon the LOCALITY IN
which the law has been suspended Dy
a perverted public sentiment uhuer
which murder is no crime. Inc claiih
is often made that attacks upon lynch-
ing are aimed at the South. In all
the history of Southern lynchings,
partly to be explained by deep rooted
racial prejudice, there is no chapter OF
outlawry so black as that which mas
lust stained the reputation OF Illinois
and of America as land of law, order,
humanity and pustice.
We think sometimes that in this
country we are far removed from the
possibility of such organized brutality
MS that which reigns in Russia. Incl
dents like that at Herrin, ILL.,, have a
tendency to awaken us to the possi-
bilities of a certain kind of education
and agitation working upon the minds
of ignorant and brutal men. There are
organization and politicians engaged
from Washington and elsewhere in
sowing the seeds of class hatred, envy
and Inst for domination which, If they
come TO their full fruition, will drench
the soil of this country with blood
and the Herrin spectacle will become
typical of conditions throughout TINS
country. This may seem an alarmst
statement. but anyone who will take
the trouble to look over the inflamma-
tory literature being sent out by the
train load from Washington and other
nropaganda centers will be convinced
that If is not a far fetched prediction
I,awlessness in a republic like ours
where laws are the handiwork OF the
neople acting through their duly
chosen representatives, is treason
treason not only to statutory and con
stitutional law, but to all that America
stands for. Those who engage in mob
demonstrations, as Abraham Lincoln
said. trample upon institutions when
are the hope of humanity for liberty
and progress The man who apollo
oizes for or condones such lawlessness
is lacking in loyalty to the fundamen-
tai principles of Americanism.
AS for public officials who have
taken upon themselves the solemn and
sacred obligation to protect life and
property and liberty under the law
but who abdicate that function in rear
of the lawless or in order to court
their favor,-what words are strong
enough to characterize their weakness
and shame? A courageous law en-
forcement official true to the oath OF
office he has taken, would be willing
TO die, and a cowardly one would re
sign. rather than betray his trust. If
all those whom the people Of this