The New York Tribune

Self-Control and Respect for Law..-"What is of importance, and of tremendous importance, is whether in a long-settled and presumably civilized community there dwell that self-control and respect for law without which a republic can not endure. This is not fine-spun theorizing, but simple fact. An alarming growth of the lawless spirit is to be observed among people who commonly pass for good citizens. The poison is working at the vitals of the American state. If we are going to make liquor laws and then abuse our officials for enforcing them; if we are going to prescribe penalties for crime and then in outbursts of fury to attack our own jails and behave like Zulu warriors; if we are going to weep over the corruption of politics and refuse as jurors to punish bribery at elections, we shall fast pave the way for the Man on Horseback who will make orderly existence possible, or relapse into the barbarism of personal vengeance and family feud. Some lessons in obedience are imperatively needed in this country, and Captain Leonard's bullets were arguments in the right direction. The only pity is that he did not use more of them.... Blank cartridges for such untamed rebels? Are our governors and mayors to apologize for the laws they are to enforce, and play with the disorder they are sworn to suppress? Better cut down with grape and canister a whole city than throne the mob to govern the republic."