Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-08-12
INSECURITY OF LIFE.

1t must have been observed how
cheap of late human life has be-
come, and how frequently life is
taken and man plunged into etern-
Ity for the most trivial affronts.
This is contrary to the laws of God
and man, and should be corrected.
1t can be done by strict enforce
ment Of the law as it now exists or
if necessary by the enactment of
more stringent laws or by calling
forth in the public mind that moral
sentiment, which is open in its de-
nunciation Of crime and bold in IFS
demands for its certain punishment.
Such a sentiment requires crime
in all its various phases to be surely
punished, and will frown down and
drive its perpetrators from high
places, and is more determined for
the punishment of high than low
illiterate offenders. To permit
crime to pass unpublished is to
license It's commission. The safety
of society itself requires that it be
punished according to law, it mat
tiers not the character of the crime,
how high the position ofthe offender,
or with whom connected.
1t will be recollected at one time
during the existence of the late civil
war, that crime became so defiant
that it was unsafe at MONDAY TO
travel beyond the limits of the city
upon any of our public highways,
or even to be out after nightfall in
the city. Why was this? 1t arose
from the fact that the execution of
the civil law was in allegiance. and
from the idea entertained by
bad men that they could COM
NIT any crime and go unpun-
ished and "unwhipred of justice"
and that the military authorities
would connive at its commission.
About this time, however, the late
VIM. Hefernan was torn out of his
carriage from the side of his es-
Unable lady, and in her presence
brutally murdered for money by
-four ruflians, two Of whom, we have
been informed, did not even conceal
themselves. Tue murder sent a
thrill of horror through the CONS
munity, and the authorities deter
mined that punishment should be
speedily and heavily inflicted. The
murderers were arrested, tried by q
court martial and condemned to die,
and although they boosted that they
would be pardoned under the gall
lows, yet on the day appointed for
their execution they all expiated
their crime by hanging.
This community well remembers
that the effect of thus summarily
bringing these offenders to justice,
was extremely salutary, and as far
as the commission of crime was
concerned, produced a most re-
markable lull, and the community
was, in fact, free and safe at least
for a time.
This is an extreme example, but
it shows what the experience of
mankind has always-taught that If
the violator of the law be surely
and certainly punished, crime will
be less frequent. The law is the
governing and controlling power in
this country, and must be respected
and obeyed, and in order TO secure
respect and obedience it must be
enforced without fear or favor. Its
majesty must be acknowledged. As
in England, no influences should be
allowed to obstruct its certain en-
forcement, and bad men mast be
made to know that punishment is
the sure consequence of its viola
ton. In the language of Mr..
Burke, "we may bite our chains if
we viii, but we shall be
made to know ourselves, and be
taught that man IS born to be gov
erned by law and he that will subs