The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-11-29
Descent to Bestiality


matter herein are also reserved.
Descent to Bestiality
Two different methods Of handling
lawlessness were given illustration
Sunday and Tuesday in two widely
separated sections Of the country.
Out in California a mob seized two
white men and hanged them.
Down in Maryland troops were
called out to speed up the forces OF
justice In hunting down the men who
recently lynched q negro.
To get the differences between the
attitude Of Governor Rolph and Gov
ernor Richie, 1t should be remem-
bered that Maryland, while not In
the Deep South, still Is southern
state. It borders on the territory
where a negro is considered little bet
ter than one Of the lower animals.
Yet powerful forces were set in mo-
ton to bring to justice men who
nolested one Of these members of an
admittedly lower order The crime Of
which he was accused was that Of
attacking a white woman, one quite
as serious in those parts as kidnap-
ing and murder.
Calm consideration by the residents
Of mid-America may lead to the con-
clusion that both executives went to
extremes.
Governor Rolph's offense against
sound public policy probably is much
the greater. Here We have the spec
tacle OF a chief executive encourag-
ing lawlessness. There Is no gentler
term for the mob action at San Jose.
In his capacity as first citizen Of
the commonwealth he led the cheer
ing section. 50 to speak.
The question which presents itself
in this connection Is where would the
governor have the spirit Of lawless-
ness end2
A mans life is presumably his most
precious possession. No matter what
crime he has committed. he should
not be deprived of 1t without due pro-
cess Of law. The lowest and meanest
is entitled to fair trial by jury Of
his peers. Society Is entitled to the
knowledge that, whatever penalty
may be inflicted, It was imposed only
after careful consideration. It is en-
titled to protection from the excuses
Of mob action and the long train OF
unpleasant consequences which It can
engender.
For one excess frequently begets
another. II men are to be deprived
Of their lives without trial, 1t Is dis
tinctly possible that others may be
deprived OF their property by the
same process. Carried still further,
homes may be violated. wives and
daughters outraged, killed or dragged
of to slavery.
It has happened In > thousand
cases and the small seeds which
brought terrifying fruit were hardly
ever as vigorous as those which were
soWn at San Jose and nurtured by
the words Of Governor Rolph.
On the other hand, Governor
Ritchie's action is only . little less
difficult to explain. An outrage had
heen committed in a Maryland coun-
ty and the county authorities were
lax, not to say unwilling. to bring the
perpetrators to justice. One can
easily understand why that should be
SO when he reads Of the attack on
the troops which were sent into the
territory.
In the face Of this situation, Gov
ernor Richie chose to use force. In
stead Of trying to marshal the forces
Of public opinion, . necessity II the
men are to be convicted, he used
drastic and spectacular means. To
what avail remains to be seen.
X X !.
Comments on the Rolph action
ere many and varied. A surprising
ly large number Of people have ex-
pressed approval Of his action. It
may be that they feel that the stern
Justice" Of mob is the correct
thing. That they would continue to
feel that way il they happened to be
accused, Justly Or unjustly, Is hardly
probable.
Neither Is 1t probable that any such
persons have ever had opportunity to
observe . mob In action or been
present at lynching.
Those who take part in such an
affair doubtless get temporary emo
tional thrill. To lay hand on a rope
and help hoist . man to his final
judgment. or to aim wild shots at a
dangling body must produce q def
mite emotional reaction.
But to the man who looks on with
out taking part In such IN affair,
the spectacle + grtsly one.
The thing which strikes hardest ct
the consciousness sof 4 reasonable
"a q ssaeh circumstances = not the
fnte q ths victim but The unreason-
x ssGs 81: