The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-06-15

eminent men. Inc HIel LdiSc sVeP ""' W
establishment of penitentaries; the second
the resort to private executions when hanging
could not Be avoided without perjury and an
utter disregard to law and justice. Half
century ago, murders were of rare occurrence
in the United States. When such foul deeds
did take place, the offenders were sure to meet
with their just reward Their trials were
speedy-their executions public, serving as an
awful warning to the vicious BY the un-
ceasing and untirng exertions of those calling
themselves phianthropists, peniteRtiarles were
erected, and instead Of hanging as a rePara-
ton for murder, confinement was substituted
The horrid dread of death for murder, was at
once remoyed-instead Of blood for blood, =
comfortable quarters, clothing and food was
held out temptingy TO The vicious and lawless
portion of our community. Long since our
remembrance, horsesteaing, for the third
offence, was punishable in Tennessee, By hang
ine-the first and second offences, by confne-
ment in the piIlory, whipping, cropping Of the
ears and branding. But as soon as these Sc
we're punishments were done away with, ras-
caIity was let loose on the world-all fear Of
an ignominious death was discarded. If ii
should SO happen that capital punishment could
not be avoided, it would be in prvate-the
public would not witness tits disgrace and
horrors would not be heraIded abroad by the
thousands of spectators who would witness it,
serving as an awful warning to the unrighte-
Gus and wicked. We contend that the severer
the punishment, the fewer crimes will be COM
mitted Let an outrageous murderer be su-
spended from the limb Of tree on the road
side, and it will serve as a warning to the vici
Gus, and make them afraid of committing hid
eous crimes against the laws of both God and
man.
OF late years, if criminal has money, tits
almost impossible to convict and hang him,
no matter how outrageous the murder may
have been. This is wrong-false or miscon-
ceiyed phiIanthropic views should be discard
ed from our thoughts. Restore the practice
Of public executions, cropping, branding and
the pillory exercises, and crime will diminish,
or we will be willing to bear the epithet o.
false prophets Penitentiares are not bug
bears a-days-they are hotels of accom-
mediation without pay, for the wicked-where
a trade may be easily learned, and finished
education in rascality acquired.
1t is almost impossible at the present day
to open newspaper to read, without seeing
an account Of horrid murder. This is dis.
graceful to cur republic-it reflects on the
state Of morality Of our country, and we may
well be pointed out as nation Of barbarians
instead of an elite and accomplished people.
We call on cur counnymen to discard all
misconceiyed ideas Of philanthrophy for muir
derers, thefs, &c. At the present time, it APP
pears that nearly all the sympathy is felt fol-
the criminal-but little for the bereaved wife
the loving brothers and sisters, and the poor
orphans. Abolish the penitentiary system, re-
turn to rigid laws, strictly and impartially en-
forced, and our word for it crime will dimin-
ish throughout our country.
The INDIANs-The following interesting let.
ter we find in the Mckinney, Texas, Messenger
An express arrived at Belknap on the 22nd ult
en- route for camp Cooper, which gives the graft.
fying intelligence of battle being fought be-
tween tie U. s. Cd cavalry, under major Var
Dorm, and large band OF Camanches. The
fight occurred on the 9Th of May, near fort At
kinson, on the Arkansas river, some $50 miles
northwest Of camp Radzmlnski.
There are but few particulars given; enough
is know to show that a complete victory wa;
obtained over the red foe; aud one too, that in
my opinion, will finish up the war with the Ca
mancheS.
The cavalry were $50 strong-the number
of Indians is not reported. There were fifty
Indians killed, certain, and probable more
Some forty were taken prisoners How many
were wounded, is not known.
OF the cavalry, two were killed, viz: serg'
Leverett, and private, whose name is not civ
en-; both of company Band five wounded
viz: capt E. X. Smith company B, slightly
lieut. Fitzhugh Lee, company B, mortally, anc
three privates, whose names are not given, MOI
the company to which they belonged to-
We have had no little excitement here, OF
account Of the projected breaking up of the re-
serves The citizens are reported to be 500 OF
600 strong, and it is said they intend attacking
the reserve, as soon as their number reaches
the vicinity Of thousand. They are gov di
vided; part some say 15O are camped on the
Clear fork of the Brazos, part near the Caddc
village, and part at their old camping place
on Rock creek. It is not known at what point
they will first make their attack, if made at all
Bets are freely offered here that there will be
no fight, and it is to be hoped that those en-
gagged in this enterprise, will pause, and allow
reason to resume its sway. Let them reflect
ask themselves what is to be the consequence
of the matter? Admit that they attack the re-
serve, and are successful in capturing it, they
cannot possibly destroy tenth part OF the In
dians. Why, they do not make move, or
send out scout, but what the Indians are
aware of it, in less than half an hour. The In
dian spies have even been within hundred
yards of their camps, without their knowing it;
and almost every party leaving on scouting OF
other duty is accompanied by two or three I'M
seen Indians. And ifIndians can thus success
fully conceal themselves, what chance can the
citizens have of killing a moiety of them, if the
Indians choose TO get out of the way?
A few DAYS SINCE when the whole party