Evening star., 1933-05-08

A place of highest honor among
upholders of American principles is
given to Judge Charles c. Bradley of
LIE Mars, Iowa, for his refusal to repu-
diate his convictions and obligations in
the face of indignities and the threat
of hanging at the hands of farmers
aroused to mob action by mortgage
foreclosures. While expressing SYM
pathy for sufferers from the depression
on the farms of Iowa and other States,
newspaper opinion of the country ap-
plies sharp words to the treatment
Of the 60-year-old jurist and holds
by such tactics, but must come through
orderly channels.
Honor to the veteran juriSt, who,
even when threatened with death, re-
fused to interpret the law otherwise
than as he conscientiously saw it," ex-
claims the Cleveland News, with the
belief that Justice in this country is
safe in such hands" The Salt Lake
Deseret News feels that his conduct
in the face of ignominious death will
illumine forever the traditions of the
Evening News holds that Americans
who know brave man when they see
one will have no difficulty in deciding
who was the hero of that incident. "
The YOUNGSTOWN Vindicator says that
"the country needs such men,"
Something luminously splendid" "
thinks the Chicago Daily News, flashed
against the dark background of mob
passion when that 60-year-old Iowa
Judge, heaped with unmerited indigni-
ties, q tightening moose around his neck,
faced more than 100 angry farmers,
faced the cruel death they threatened,
and, to the demand that he repudiate
his oath of obligation to the law and
justice, answered I cannot 1t was a
revelation of moral fiber upon which,
more than upon anything else, the
hope and faith Of America must rely.
BY that act of uncringing fidelity, before
the high courage of which his shamed
Charles c. Bradley a moment earlier
the mud-smeared object of ribald jest,
rose to sudden and compelling dignity
as a symbol of what is finest in his
country's soul Not merely moral cour-
age, but noble quality of self-subordi-
mating mercy, shone in the attitude OF
this heroic man who would not COM
promise with undetermined wrong
doers, but was willing to pray for them
and to forgive The inspiring thrill that
went to every corner of the country
as a result Of this episode transcends
the sense of horror which the mad
lawlessness of the i-ate farmers must
evoke"
ut seems improbable" AYERS the
Rockford Register Republic, that such
situation could have arisen in COM
munity where officials were alert to
their responsibilities and active In per-
Torrance of their duties" The Rutland
Herald, believes that officials who IL
lowed such a thing to happen are al
most below contempt" and the Provi-
dence Bulletin declares that II the mob
has made the State Of Iowa to hang It's
head in shame, the stern devotion to
duty of Judge Bradley has redeemed the
disgraceful conduct"
1.-The judges act" asserts the Chicago
Tribune, reflects the highest credit on
the honor and courage of the bench.
Where ofhcials responsible for the main
tenance Of public security have been
afraid of political consequences, he was
not afraid for his life. His conduct
must cause people the country over to
reflect that they have been much to
blame to permit the development Of
situation Of which the outrage to him
was a logical outcome. Seeing the con-
ditions and percciving their own passive
responsibility fer it, they should assert
everywhere thsir determination that
Law: shall prevail and shall not be
merely eggshells in the hands Of any
persons who want to break them"
"It is dificult to fix the blame for
thes: distressing conditions" advises the
Spokane SHpkesman-peview, but Il II
obvious that the mortgaged farmers