The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-03-13

The SLUNa SHoT.-We perceive that notice has
been given, in our Legislature, OF the introduction
OF bill prohibiting the sale or use Of the instru-
ment known as slung shot. We hope that the
measure will be followed out, and the manufacture,
sale, or use of that weapon be made a penal
offence.
This movement has been made In good time
and If the proposed bill should pass, it will be one
of the most popular measures that ever was enact
ed. Carrying weapons Of any kidd whether slung
shots, pistols, dirks, knlves-is CO wardly ,rac
tlcc /; and we have had SO many instances, lately,
OF death resulting from their use, that the voice Of
the moral portion of the community is against it.
None but a bastard or coward would habltually
wear weapons of any description, unless he were
in dread of assault from man more physically
powerful than himself, or that he considered his
life in danger. Even in that case we would not
tolerate, FIVE could prevent it, the Of the slung
shot; for that Is weapon with which death can be
inflicted without noise-wlth@ut causing even a
G, Dan from the dying victim. II man acts in
self defence, and Is compelled by the instact of
preservation, to take the lite of another or lose
his own, the law will justify the act, and it may be
done openly and above board by shooting down
the assailant. But the cases in which the wearing
ef weapons and the using of them is justfable, are
exceedingly rare. We live i'll land of law, and
the ministers of the law protect those who con-
slider themselves in danger. We would unhe stat.
ingly set down a man who makes practice OF
carrying weapons, a coward and a poltroon. 1t
gives an undue advantage, which noae but
coward would take. If a strong man were to beat
and abuse weak one, he would be marked as a
poltroon and the case Is precisely similar of an
armed man attacking one who is unarmed.
Another objection against the wearing Of any
kind OF weapon, Is the danger that 1t may be
use with fatal effect, in moment of passion or cx-
citement Few of us weak human beings have not
been so much excited, at some time or other, as to
induce us to take life had we weapons about our
persons with which to do it, yet, on calm reflection
after reason and composure are restored, we would
lie sorry Tor the az and If we escaped the penalty
which the law rSfkcts for unnecessarily shedding
a brothers blood, we would suffer for the act the
remainder of our lives. But for this practice of
carrying weapons, Timothy Shea would now be
alive, and Mrs. Walker would not have been sent
out of existence in the prime Of womanhood-our
jures would not be compelled to pass on the lives
of the aggressors, nor our judges to pass SEN
tence of death on the convicted. A man bereft
Of reason, and IN the time of excitement, is de-
mon, and no one who knows the frailtles of his
nature, weuld carry weapon, except in case Of
self defence, as before adverted to, unless he Is
coward, poltroon, murderer, In his heart.
We sincerely hope that the bill soon to be intro
duced into our Legislature on the subject, will be-
come a law, and that the use or wearing OF sung
| shot may be made penal offence.
---
MAJOR ROBERTS, or THE RirLEs-We notice in
| the proceedings Of the Iowa Legislature, that
sword has been unanimously voted Major Roberts,
for his handsome conduct in the late war with
Mexico 1t has also made him very appropriate
vote of thanks. We are happy to see this well
merited compliment to officer so greatly distio-
euishtd as Major Roberts. His regiment bore the
brunt of every battle from Vera Cruz to the ~ of
Mexico, and although the length and breadth of
The land has been filled with the story OF Its we'll
earned fame, too much cannot be said IN praise of
this officer who commanded the advanced guard
on the glorious ield Of .Contreras, and led the
siormers Of Twggs' division, that, under the gal
lsnt Quitman, first carried the stripes and stars of
our country into the city of Mexico. For his
greatly distinguished esllantry at the stormiug of
CHI pultepec and the capture OF the city, General
QuuBsn selected him TO carry into the capital,
and there the frat hammer of freedom that