The native American., 1838-07-14
Observation-Disclosures.

II NAIION-AMEhlCA.
4 II may be asserted, without fear Of coniradic-
ton, that there is part OF the world processing
civilization, where war is not raging, in which life
is insecure, and the murderer safe in the
dulgence Of his propensites, in certain sections
| of the United States. Assassination succeeds as
sassination with such rapidity that the daily press,
even if SO disposed, cannot keep up with the cur
II rent Of events in its record of crime. There are
parts of the Union, which require the energy Of
Tacon ortheir government, and throw the bloody
scenes formerly enacted in the Havana, atogeth-
Ter into the back ground-for there murderers
were chiefly the refuse Of society, and at least
slaughtered their victims in secrecy; but in the
places to which we allude, the emulators OF the
''irst born CAIN are frequently men OF note and
considerations -political leaders, lawyers, physi-
clans, planters sometimes the presiding officers
of legislative bodies, perhaps members Of Con-
gress-often those who give tone to the society
III which they move. The statistics OF murder
in the United States for six months would fsanish
ample food for meditation in this respect, and
would perhaps demonstrate that this state of
things arises from something radically wrungiin-
the frame work Of society--somethng that demo
ralizes and nonrshes the worst passions OF man.
The passing of severe laws to bear upon tins
matter, and the multiplication of enactments TO
check the progress of bloodshed, is a mere puff
ing against the wind The defect is not in the
laws-mere printed paper amounts to nothing, il
not animated, brought into action, and sustained
by public opinion; and therefore, this 'chivalrous'
assassination and murder will continue to increase
| in despite of law-making, just SO long as sympa-
thy is manifested for the good society cut-throat,
and righting by ones own hand Of injuries,
either real or supposed, is regarded as proof Of
manhood, and Of heroic spirit. While the man,
whose passions are as violent and as unregulaed
| as the impulses of tiger, is considered by his
neighbors as 'noble-hearted, wholc-sonltd lel-
low as the phrase goes, and an utter reckless
ness in every action is title to praise, and while
this false feeling extends both to Judges and TO
iuries individuals will be their .original selves,
and obey the promptings Of their evil dispositions.
Where self-control does not find place amorg
the virtues, it is not likely that the temper will be
broken and curbed; where 'the assassination does
not trammel up the consequence and in factjnst
puts feather in the cap, inpunity and encourage
ment combined will cause every day to be mark
| ed with some such exhibition of herosn,'
I'chvalry, as those which continue to heap dis
grace upon the country. These things will 60
until they effect cure by their own excess--tor
who can expect reformation, when, as actually
occurred year or two since IN louisiana, ma
ior-genera and candidate for the executive chair
Of the commonwealth, pronounces funeral ORA
ton over the grave Of murderer and a suicide,
and when both arrest and trial for the taking of
life, as exemphed every day, are mere mattcls of
: form. change cannot be expected until thc ilse
Of the pistol and bowie knife is certain passport
to the gallows, and until this bastard chyalry
: which strikes down fellow citizen in his cham
ber in the street, or in the Legislative hall, is
choaked by the friendly officers Of Jack ketell.
\ A few such examples--but they must be of the
! first class Of ofenders-your rich, influential,
arstocratic assassns-- being given III each state,
!. would have the most wholesome effect and when
that happens, but not till then, may the people Of
the South and West anticipate reform. Public
opinion defines crime far more effectually than
law, for it is through the influence Of public
opinion that the offender is brought to punish
ment Homicide must continue to flourish, let
the statute book say what it may, where it
stands in the light of gentlemanly recreation
, or at worst receives no more notice than such
| Juvenile indiscretions as breaking windows and
beating watchmen in the great cities. -Pen,sy-
Uaniun.
II PrOof0f French .SiIk.-'The French have adnpt-