American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-24
Crime walks Abroad.

There has perhaps never been a time In which
crime abounded more in our country than at
the present moment. Not newspaper can be
taken up that does not contain the record OF
some new and startling deed of violence. We
are not fond of the horrible, and do not wan
tonly parade before our readers the records OF
these things but at times it is necessary to
yield to the popular demand, and to recite the
horrid narratives.
We were gratifed to perceive the very gen.
eral condemnation by the press of the late high
handed measures at San Francisco and more
recently, the tone of the press in abiding to
the New Orleans duel told most forcibly that
the object of the duellist's ambition, the APP
plause of men, would not be attained, but that
the popular condemnation was upon the act
Hatred and revenge are feelings too mean and
despicable to be plead in mitigation of the VIC
lation Of both the municipal and divine law
and the only other incentive of the duellist--
the hope of fame-has passed away as mist be-
fore the sun.
Every effort was made at New Orleans by the
ministers of the law to prevent the murderous
meeting, but without effect. The parties cir
cumvented the legal authorities of the country,
and achieved a murder!
There was parallel case to this in Washing
ton few months ago. A meeting between
Messrs. Stanley and Clingman was by every
one expected; and as no one attends to every
body's business, the parties would have been
uninterrupted had not Walter Lenox, the Mayor
OF the city, moved by sentiments for which we
shall ever honor him, upon his own testimony
before justice of the peace, caused the arrest
of MIR. Stanley. We were present when this
gentleman stood before the magistrate, and the
respect we entertained for him made us regret
the evasive character Of his conduct. He,
however, got off without being bound over, and
went to the field of blood and made whole his
honor
Respecting the New Orleans case, we quote
the following from o letter in the Philadelphia
Ledger, from correspondent at the former
city:
by presentment Of the Grand Jury war
rants are out for the arrest of Dr. Hunt for
murder, the two seconds and the two assistants
as accessories before the fact. AS yet, none
have been taken; as they would have to lay in
prison till the fall, it is likely they will keep
out of the State.
stitution, is very severe. This has almost made
it dead letter, as many duels have taken place
since its enactment; but as the several parties
were not injured, no notice was taken Of them.
This being the first resulting in death, it will
probably now be put in force, at least | hope
so-for, during the last three months, not
day has passed without murder, or an attempt
to kill, being recorded in the papers.
"Capital punishment, by public opinion, has
almost bpcOme obsolata here and hnya writ
that way myself; but from the practical work
ing, of turning murderers loose, l am now con-
WINGED that, however brutal it may be, the
thought Of dangling in the air would be some
restraint on the desperadoes of these parts''
This writer's logic is very peculiar. He thinks
the severity of the law against dueling makes it
nullity, and causes duels to be tolerated; but
he is convinced that the thought of dangling in
the air would be some restraint on desperadoes
The latest outrage of which we have heard is
thus briefly given in Geographic despatch:
VERSAILLES, KY, July Is, p. m.-our vii
lage to-day has been the scene of an awful ira
gedy. st. Clair j. Buford, of this county, in
rencontre with George W. Carter, former sheriff,
was killed, and Carter was so injured that he is
not expected to survive. Carter was, in the
morning, horribly mutilated and beaten with
stick, and so disabled that he was taken to his
room; and both being summoned in the after
noon at the courthouse, for trial, Buford APP
peared before the court In the afternoon the
parties met, when Carter drew pistol and shot
Buford dead on the spot"
1t will here be perceived (although the word
ing is ambiguous) that the parties were of
prominent position in the community, and that
fendish revenge was paramount with them,
and its qualification no doubt believed to be i'm
PEELED by a sense of honor
The WORK OF REFORM MUST BEGIN IN HIGH
PLACES.
IMPROVED CRuTcHEs. JOHN s. GALLAHER,
IT,, who is well and favorably known to many of
our readers, and whose affection calling for the