THE REPUBLICAN

October 20, 1882

 

Lawlessness and Crime

Editor of the Republican

 

            A long list of undetected and unpunished outrages committed in this place during the last few years, culminating at last in the murder of one of our most respected and inoffensive citizens, should arouse all honest, right minded men to the fact that immediate action is necessary for the protection of our lives and property.  We could, if necessary, count numerous assaults upon unprotected females; assaults upon men for purpose of robbery; burglaries, incendiary fires, besides many other lesser offences, all of which should satisfy us that we have a criminal element here at home that needs watching and bringing to justice.  In the long list of crimes committed here during the past four or five years, we do not now remember of but one case where the guilty party has been detected and punished.  Besides this we have had an unchecked reign of rowdyism, ruffianism, drunkenness, gambling, debauchery, licentiousness, and all those vices that tend to demoralize a community and destroy law and order, ending in the epidemic of crime and corruption such as we are likely to realize here very soon, unless this lawless and demoralizing element is at once put down by the strong hand of the law.  There is hardly a lady in this city that dare venture out upon the street after dark, alone, and many men are compelled to violate the law respecting concealed weapons.  There has been a very nervous feeling in this place for a long time in regard to these matters which are now finding expression.

            There has been no concerted action among the citizens to put an end to this state of things.  They have simply talked and deplored that crime and disorder should go unpunished, but except with one or two indifferent and fruitless investigations, nothing has been done for the cause of offended justice.  It is time, for the peace, safety, and good name of this community, that mere talking, surmising, and speculating should end and that real energetic action should commence.  If the authorities are helpless to detect and ferret out offenders and to punish them, let the citizens organize as they have done in some other places, for the purpose of putting down crime, lawlessness and disorder in whatever form it may exist.  There are enough “good men and true” in Waupaca to organize a law and order society, and if need be to have it incorporated, with special police powers, and which, with proper management can in short time root out and subdue this gambling, thievish and licentious element that now seems to thrive without fear of molestation.  Such society might in addition to ferreting out crime and maintaining order and decency, find profitable work to do in cleansing the polluted channels through which public authority acts in controlling and governing our municipal affairs.  None but good, honest, worthy men should be put upon guard.  “Eternal vigilance is not only the price of liberty” but it may be the price of life as well.