Bulldog Justice

It is in times of crisis, such as that created by the unfortunate events near Nassau Street Thursday night, that the true mettle of a community is tested. So far officials of both the town police and the University administration have acted with moderation; we trust that they will continue to do so.

It goes without saying that the incident was regrettable, but those who raise strident demands for hasty and drastic punitive action tend only to compound the wrongdoing. It is all too easy, in the heat of outrage, to lose sight of the basic principles of justice.

The police report that the boy who was injured has identified, from photographs. three of his so-called "attackers," and that they are "prominent members of the Princeton football team." But the police authorities add that the boy was still in a state of shock when he made the identification, and that the incident took place on a darkened street where positive recognition would be difficult.

To prevent these "prominent members of the team" from playing against Yale this afternoon would subject the three players to the indelible shame of damning national publicity and would amount to punishment before the establishment of guilt, a guilt that currently appears dubious.

Dean Smith has rightly said, "These things must go through channels." The police and University should withhold action until the facts have been established and a cooling-off period has passed. Justice should be done, but not in a kangaroo court presided over by a bulldog.