The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1869-02-11
CRIME IN THE NORTH AND
SOUTH.

The rapid increase of crime in the
northern States far exceeds that in the
southern, Notwithstanding that political
and social agitations here are fruitful
ofirritation and malice Recently crimes
at the n rth have not only been remark
able for their number. but for the horri-
BILE features of many of them. The whole
nation is shocked every day with their
details-that is, if public mind has not
become 50 used to them that it has ceased
to be amazed at any mon trous deed that
may be committed.
In New York the progress Of crime
has been very rapid, and the press there
is demanding morc'vigalcnt and efficient
measures to put check upon it. Re-
corder Hackctt, Of that city, in recent
charge, portrayed the fearful condition
of things, and, declared that "delays in
triia l-are i.ia.ianls 20 puLliaa4faty-2-nrped
decreased activity, vigilance, andprompt,
ness on the part of the administrators of
Justice lie further recommends the
citizens encra!ly to more carcfulncss.
The recent war no doubt filled the
North with IL swarm of men who mean
to do no more: labor if they can avoid it.
They live By their wits, including such
arts as they acquired in the South in the
pro itssion of"bummcrs." Such lig! t.
fingered gentry will in stealing, murder,
if murder be required for escape, or to
succeed in stealing. The vast army of
foreign recruits which entered the mill
tary service of the Federal Government
contributed a very large proportion to
the multitude of criminals who now in
fest the North. The armies Of the South,
being composed almo't wholly ofnativcs,
its disbandment returned upon the coun-
try fewer rogucs and murdcrers than any
military force of equal numbers ever did;
and we have not the troubles from that
source which now afflict our "fcllIw citi-
zcus" of the North. Take Virginia for
example: She has been so peaceful and
quiet that she has been almost forgotten
at Washington. The Congress only oc-
casionally heard of her through the ca
ger and greedy demands of the "adren-
lures" who wanted to secure the public
Offices to themselves by the utter dis
frauchiscment of her white citizeus.-
Cororcs,men no doubt wondered why
so quiet people were thus oppressed ;
yet, until the "niue" appeared in the
national halls they heard but one sto'
~. g,
Petit larceny has indeed increased
very largely-from obvious reasons; but
that in no sense indicates any dcprecia.
tion,,of the moral sense of thetrue sons OF
Virginia, or any diminuatiou of their
love of order or respect for the rights OF
others. Under sense of injury-irrl'
ta,cd by series of agitations of the
meanest character, suggested by the
meanest and most sordid motives-these
people have maintained dignity and
self.control to a degree that has not fail
ed to impress itselfupon intelligent and
Just observers. This has been the es-
pccial subject of comment and eulogy
of the district commanders and their
subaltein officers. General Stoneman has
felt called upon to say that such was the
order and the respect for law in Virginia
that troops were unnecessary to enforce
either the one or the ether.
How is it that with this contrast dali
ly presented to the people of the United
States any man can have the hardlhood
say that the people of this State are not
pre pared for restoration to political eqal-
ity? That they cannot be trusted
Richmond Dispatch.