The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-09-30
C.rr,Inx Conc.al.a w.apsns.

=
In view OF the frequent use 81 iNstruments
Of DEATH and the fatal results OF tiAtase, it 10
about time that Public Opinion should correct
this cryingevfi. We say Public Opinion, for
the laws already prohibit the practice, and the
penalties affixed are adequate 10 the offence.
But Law, IN this country, unsustained by Pub
lie Opinion, Is so much legislative breath and
printers' ink thrown away law, which does
not represent Pabitc Opinion, is nuility
mockery, piece of hypocrisy, a splendid lie,
that satisfies the public conscience, and se-
cures to society an external conformity with
the requirements Of civilization, but Is utterly
impotent in preventing and Furnishing crime.
Therefore 1t is that In regard to the practice
OF carrying concealed weapons, there is no tri-
bunal TO which we can appeal but Public
Opinion and, IL that does not prohibit the Of
fence there is no earthly hope of redress or
. remedy.
We make no large demand upon the hu.
mainly, the morals, or the civilization of so.
ciety, when we ask that IL put down the prac-
tice OF carrying concealed weapons. We do
not ask that the nse of deadly weapons shall
be totally surrendered. We are no such SIM
pletons as to suppose that any arguments or
expostuiations Of the, press or the pulpit
could prevail upon men to believe that, at the
tribunal of Heaven, the taking of human life
except in self-preservation, is murder. We
| are willing 70 admit, that in some parts of this
country. Public Opinion which makes an in
sulting look capital crime logically acquits
| the executioner of the criminal of any offence
| against society But, hopeless of any reform
| ia the code of this Supreme Lawgiver, we
| may at least be permitted to appeal to the
| Chivalry and Manliness of our countrymen
in behalf of carrying deadly weapons where
| they can be seen--of wearing for example, a
brace of pistols in belt around the body, or
of carrying the sword by the side, as in the
days of old, when it was the uniform fashion
and custom of gentlemen, and every man was
| prepared for defence as well as attack. There
| is in the present practice uniformity, no
Justice no semblance of chivalry. If it /. right
| il IL is expedient to carry deadly weapons
| then It is right and expedent that they should
| be carried openly, and that every man should
| be armed and equipped as the law of Public
Opinion directs. If the legislative enact
ments on the subject cannot be enforced they
ought to be repealed, for 70 man can serve two
masters, and no society can obey two opposing
| laws. The only effect of existing nactments is
| to disarm those who obey law and leave them q
the mercy of those who violate it. Again we
say, if the spirit and civilization of the coun.
Try sanctions the use of deadly weapons, if the
| United States alone of all Christendom clings
TO the bloodiest feature of the dark ages ther
| let MS revive the manlness and fair play
which, in those times, required the weapon o
death to be worn in plain sight, and which
put in every mans hands the means of de,
Tending himself against his adversary.
r These remarks are not, of course, intend.
ed to apply to anything but q practice which
| here as elsewhere has been followed by
| Iamentable results. We do not sit in Judg-
ment upon any of the particular cases which
it is the sole Office of the Judiciary to inyesti-
| rate and decide. 1t is lawless and hor-
| rid custom. connived at by Public Opinion,
!, against which we solemnly protest; and which.
| if permitted to exist, will not only be follow
| ed by fresh scenes of blood and misery, but
| will stamp upon the brow of society an indeli-
, | BILE brand of barbarism.