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[239]

Chapter 24: White vendetta.

In Illinois every man claims to be a law to himself, and every second man claims to be a law to other people. Wild justice, as among the Indian wigwams, is the favourite form of punishment; if pure revenge, the rule of eye for eye and tooth for tooth, may be called punishment. Under this Indian system, men of violent instincts assume a right to reject the public code, and even to resist the popular magistrate.

In many parts of Illinois, the public rule is faint and formal; for the officers of justices, whether judge or coroner, sheriff or policeman, are elected by the rank and file, and must obey the men who put them in their seats. Home rule is organised. The pig sticker and whisky dealer real the code in the light of their strong passions, and ;Lupport their view of its articles with buck shot and bowie knives.

1875.

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