Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-07-20

ehe event oI quaTTcl Wlln SUCH cnalac- ter, the citizen, knowing the recklessness of his opponent armed himself, and when the parties met bloody affray was the re- suit. There was some excuse then for resort to arms. These desperadoes upheld each other and had they been suffered to pur- sue their law less cou'se with i>np,nity, no man. life or property wouEl have been safe. for.e @as opposed to force and the bully etaqaerel hy tue weapons with which h. sought to conquer Bat these despeiaioe~ have passed away. They have been killed or have fed to q more congen- ial cline. Laws, courts, judges. anu other law officers have multiplied until they are adequate to redress all wrongs, There is seldom 8 case now, where man is justified in resoFting to the pistol or knife to get satisfaction. Notwithstanding this, tie histories of two or three recent affravs in our State, convinces Us that many are still disposed to thrust the law aside or take it into their own hands. This we think is attributable to some false ideas concerning courage common to many persons.
 At a time in the early history of tkG
 State when it was the resort of the desper
 ate men we have alluded to. it wasSa cour- ageous act to oppose them, for they protect
 ed each other and the staying of one brought down the vengeance of the whole clan The laws were inadequate to punish them, for they set its officers at defiance A man who had incurred the displeasure of one of these adventurers did we'll to arm him. self and seek the advantage of the first shot. The praise then given to those brave men who met such characters unhinching- ly and finally drove them away, is sought to be obtained by many in this late day, when totally different state of society ex- iSts.
 Many seem to think that prompt resort to arms IS a test of courage, whereas d tru- ly courageous man abstains from 1t to the last. In a late ease the parties began to abuse each other to third persons. The next step was to arm themselves and we find them on the streets, each with gun, and one is shot down. In another case, two citizens quarrel and part The friends anI relatives of each take sides and load their guns and pistols Some of them meet; the quarrel is renewed and the killing commences There is the usual ex- hibition of western pluck; they stand to shoot and be shot at and scorn to run, but it is very questionable whether there is aiy bravery in the whole affair." There is 6 certain prevailing opinion of what man must do ill such case or be forever dis graced, that nerves them to face danger.- It is an outside pressure; fear of what others will say; a feeling that by-standers are watching every motion, that leads men into these affairs and not innate courage Place the contending parties apart from others, where no reputation is to be gained, and they would probably become friends. The man who habitually carries weapons, not having good reasons to expect an at tack, is either bully or a coward. He either seeks to gain an advantage or is afraid that another will take it.
 Thus too, occasionally in our towns we find fellows who after a difficulty with person, strut about the streets with gun on their shoulders or belt full of Dis tols, bragging and threatning. They smite their breasts fercely and swear loudly, to create the impression that they are danger ous fellows-desperate haracters-fire-eat CTS, who would swallow a man upon the slightest provocation. The only danger from such men Is, that they brag so much and so tiercely, when cornered they have either to admit their cowardice, or fight with that desperation poltroons sometimes exhibit, to sustain their boastings.
 In one half ol these cases, if the local officers would do their duty, these aflravs might be prevented and our State saved from the disgrace that attaches to her name from their occurrence. When ono or more persons are found with double barrelled guns marching through the streets and sending messages to the opposing party, let the city constable arrest them, and march them forthwith to a magistrate.- Heavy bonds or twenty -fom hours in the calaboose would take the wire-edee from these fierce blades It is almost always known, hours before that these affairs are threatened Magistrates and good citizens should take steps to have the parties arrest ed at once, and the matter stopped. Usu- ally, these things are done in towns, and the parties are Generals, Colonels, lawyers. doctors, merchants, or (" big bugs" and the sheriff or constable is afraid to inter- tere or to attempt to carry such men to jail. The station of the offender should be no shield, and there is no community in the State where, if the officer would pur- sue such a course, he would not be sustain ed. The parties themselves when their passions subsided, would approve it.
 The press of this State has taken high ground on this subject Public opinion can do great deal by telling these men that to be concerned in a street fight. or af fray argues no courag on the part of those who make the attack At the best admitting that they give their adversaies equal chances 1t is no greater exhibition of courage than is shown in duel; but when, as they inva- riably do, they seek the advantage of numbers or position, it is but one re- move from assassination
 The impression has gone abroad that every man in. Arkansas goes armed all day and at night has his weapons within reach The farmers are free from this Ieproach In every town and city there are hundreds who never wear weapon. But there is a class .rr and -bo