This story required a strong actor to pull off the staring role, which in this case fell to Harry Morgan, who made an outstanding guest star contribution. The message of this episode is a warning against judgments and bullying. What it shows is that in the end, the people who are truly cheapened by such taunting and backstabbing are those who engage in it, not those who are victims of it.
Long before there were any organized efforts against bullying, there were prime time TV episodes like this that were unafraid to teach the proper moral lessons. This is exactly why William Paley was a supporter of Gunsmoke even after its ratings ebbed.
The script was very nuanced and fulfilling. It required a strong character actor like Morgan, someone who could project gravitas from a simple stare, or even a physical gesture.
Ultimately, the lesson of the episode, and the plot, is a warning against adopting false moral strictures and against making ignorant moral judgments against someone. The script also shows the triumph of true courage, as well as the morale fiber to make the right decisions to protect those who deserve protection., as well as the dangers of making false idols out of those who are really morally unfit.
The details of how this script and the acting illustrate both deserve to remain unknown so that the texture of the episode can be fully enjoyed!
This is an outstanding episode, another high point of a series that to this day simply enjoys no rival. Paley's demand that the series continue in 1967 was rewarded in a resurgence of outstanding acting and moral plays such as this one.