Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1866-08-25
Crime.

next "timcy rcbuke" to the editor of the
Abbcyilc " Banner" for the following capi-
tal article:
WAR MAKES THIEVES PEACE SHOULD
HANG TuEM.-1hc results of the late war
arc perhaps net more manifest in anything
than in the general departure from principles
and practiscs of honesty. The records of the
City Courts and the burden of the country pa
pers show the same propensity to grand and
petty larceny. In the country, with which
we have more to do, and of which we will
speak, these unlawful practiscs seem to have
become concentrated in u confirmed passion for
horse flesh.
Scarcely week passes away that there is
not cause to pursue into tho ncighboring
States of Georgia or North Carolina some rep
rebate Of this character. The penalty Of be-
ing caught is seldom more than the loss to the
thief of the stnlnn property. 1t is painful
evidence of the condition of the ronnfry,e of
the prostration and helplessness of the law,
:" hen the rightful owner of the stolen prop
erty is satisfied with the bare recovery OF the
same, when no effort is made to vindicatc the
law from the insults that are heaped upon it
by such offenders. Such penalties only en-
courage the repetition of the offence.
We are no advocate for Lynch law, but VIC
ton, that notorious thief wa made, IN an adj
joining District, short time ago, to pay with
out tho tormality of trial, the penalty of his
oft-rcpcatcd and notorious crimes. 1t is not
likely that this precedent will lead to the fire.
quent recurrence of such punishment at the
hands of the people, and there was need Of Ii
saiutary example
The Legislature has done its duty in the
premises BY oflixing the penalty Of death to
the first offence. just after the Revolution
it was found necessary to tighten the screws
in like manner. More than half century of
peace and quirtncss settled the rights of prop
erty, and confirmed in habits Of honesty and
industry the people of tho country. And the
generation which had achieved the indcpen-
dencc of the country, and whose harvest of
glory had not been altogetcr unmiNcd with
tarcs, had passed away Their descendants,
not having access to the field upon Which
glory is won and virturc so often lost, pursued
the even tenor Of their way cultivating the
simple virtues of truth, honesty and sober
ness. In thc course Of time, the practice of
Of these virtues and the rigid enforcement Of
the law made the crime of horse stealing of
rare occurrence. The Legislature, ever will
ling to apportion the penalty to the Importance
of the crime and the frequency ofits occurrence
altered the law MS to make the offence cap.
ita only upon its second commission.
History, ever reproducing itself, fiFis us in
morals much like tho survivors of TIC Rcvo-
luton of l77j. 1t was necessary then to check
the inordiIatc and uulawful love of horse
flesh by extreme punishment. 1t is so how :;
and the Legislature, having done its duty it
only remains for Judges and jules to do theirs
NGsS~ His Excellency Gov. ORR is entitled
to tho credit Of suggesting the Phiadclphia
Convention.
EG There has been 4 great storm on the
coast of Africa, and y large m,.::hcr of "csscls
have been lost. Great apprehcnsions arc felt
that other vessels have been lost
Rs- 4 terrible storm swept over The North
western States OIL Saturday and Sunday last
In Minnesota the rain fell in torrents, the
owlands were submcr, cd and thirty persons
drowned. The destruction of property will
reach 100000
TIE PRESIDENTS AcrIoN.-Thc " Rich
mond Times" Of Friday, says:
Among the most gratifying tclcgraplc
items which we publish this morning, is the
announcement that the President will soon
issue general amnesty. This crowning act
OF Executive clcmcncy if accompanied by the
complete nbrogation of martial law, will be
most appropriate supplement to the proceed
ings of the Convention. May VIC not hopc
that the noble and unfortunate Statesman now
languishing in prison, and enduring the slow
torturcs of Inquisitor Miles, will not be cxclu.
dcd from its mcsciful provisions.
LONDON, August 1.-THE final ncgotia-
tons for the establishment of peace between
Prussia, Austria and Italy, are in progress,
and peace is regarded as certain.
NEW YoRK, August 17.--I,io Janeiro adj
vices to July 10Th have been received The