It's one of my all time favorites. I have it in my movie library.
The movie is a perfect mataphor for Bush and the WOT. The town was cowardly and wouldn't support the sheriff. They hated him for his determination not to run but instead to stand and fight.
When he killed the bad guys without their help the cowards came out of their "holes" to pat him on the back.
Cooper then took his badge and threw it in the dirt at their feet and left town with his new bride never looking back.
"with his new bride..."
A Quaker-type who converted to the 2nd Ammendment ended up delivering the critical shot of the battle herself.
(Grace Kelly, wasn't it?)