The Argus at KellyGang 18/11/1879
We have again to congratulate the community upon a dashing and timely exploit in the destruction of a bushranging gang, the police of New South Wales having yesterday fought, and with loss of life, disposed of, the most formidable body of desperadoes who have yet appeared on the scene. We have in the incident another proof of the great mischief worked by the example of the Kelly gang. Their success has tempted one lot of men after another to take to robbery under arms as a means of living, nor need we wonder at the circumstance. The illustration given at Jerilderie and Euroa of the case with which riches could be acquired was a terrible temptation to those lawless spirits who, like the poor, are always amongst us, and to repress whom it is necessary that punishment should not only be severe, but certain. At the time of the Kelly outrages it seemed as if the whole community was cowed, but gradually the old British spirit of individual courage has revived, and no "form could be better than that displayed in the chase of the Hatfield marauders on the one side of the border, and the repulse and capture of the Moe robbers by Mr H MUNRO and Dr M'DONALD on this side.
The KELLYS are exceptionally fortunate. Their district is rugged. They were born and bred in it, and unhappily, they have the aid of a population with criminal tendencies, and it is something to know that without such advantages as these the career of the bushranger is likely to be short, and not merry. It has been pretty well proved now that no amateurs can afford to take to the business. We know little as yet as to the composition of the Wagga Wagga gang, but if the story told by the leader is true, and the man is the notorious SCOTT, who chooses to call himself "Captain Moonlite," a party must have been formed in Victoria, and to gather together six or seven men, mount them and arm them, speaks for itself of a deliberate plan, and of the expenditure of time and money. GILBERT and GARDINER, in their balmy days, never took a larger party into action, nor, it would seem, a more desperate party; and hence we have the more cause to be grateful for their dispersion. The police of New South Wales were overpowered in the first instance. They do not appear to have known the strength of the gang, and the four men who set out from Wagga Wagga to effect the capture were forced to retire, and to abandon their horses, but the pursuit was resumed with pluck and judgment, reinforcements were procured, the bushrangers were brought to bay, and were fought and captured. The police did their duty as men, and the public will hope to hear of the bestowal of a generous reward in the way of promotion , and it will expect also that this time the law will be carried out, and that the ruffians who were not left dead on the field will not escape the gallows. We should be well pleased to be able in turn to congratulate the Victorian police on a corresponding success, for nothing but the capture of the Mansfield murderers is now wanting to complete the story, and terminate the darkest episode of our modern history.
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