Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-09-01
ALEssoN ATLssr.

Under this heading we find in the Le-
bsnon Herald of the 31st August the
subjoined article relative to the killing of
Thomas Lyons by Isaac Cheek. We know
nothing of the persons involved in this
unfortunate affair, and we know nothing
of the facts except as detailed by our
contemporary. But presuming It's infor-
nation 10 be correct, we fully endorse its
comments. The Herald says:
The system of terrorism and lswless-
ness inaugurated Of late in certain por-
tons of Wilson county, by a crew CT
vicious youths and young men, has at
last borne its legitimate fruit. A quiet
and inoffensive negro is attacked in his
cabin at dead of night, and On his re
fusal to leave its protecting walls and put
himself utterly at the mercy of the yelling
| ruffians, and submit To any atrocities
which their lawless nature might prompt
them TO perpetrate, the house is fired up
| on and an attempt is made TO burn it TO
the ground; self preservation impsls the
negro to return the fire of his assailants,
and the corpse of Thomas Lyons is the
tangible and bloody result
This is no occasion for euphemism We
should be utterly rocreant 10 the high
| duty which our p )sition as 6 public jour
nalist imposes upoa us, did we fail 10 ex
press, in terms too plain to be mistaken,
our opinion and what we conceive 10 be
the sentiment of the county On this subs
| ject. Thomas Lyons is dea land his
sudden and bloody death, in the bloom
and promise of young and vigorous man
hood, is ascribsble solely to his own I'M
governed impulses, and to the evil assOci-
| atoms into which these led him. 1t is
true that, in all probability, there were
others in thai masked quintette of mid
night riders guiltier than ht; others whose
violations of the laws of the land were
not due, like his, to thOugnuess impulse,
but emqnated from cool, deliberate and
ingrained malice and natural propensity
to crime; others who, when justice has
her dues and outraged law is avenged OF
her adversaries, will dangle in the air at
end of henpen cYri, tangible and
terrible warning to marauders aud a5sas
sins and all evel dOers.
We may regret that young Lyons was
led into evil ways and go met his death,
but no coed citizen can regret that the
midnight providers who disgrace the soil
of our good county have been taught
| terrible lesson at last, sDd that lawless-
ness has met the fate which 1t 50 richly
deserves.
Isaac Cheek did right. He is citizen
of Wilson county; and, as such, he is as
fully entitled to the protection of the law,
as to hia person, property and premises,
as the wealthiest and best in her bord,rs.
Isaac Cheeks premises were invaded; his
house was attacked; his safety was
Threatened; his life, as he believed, was in
imminent peril, and in the Staying OF one
of his sssailants in the defence of his life
and property, he did what he had aninde-
feasible right to do. And the officers of the
law must hold him harmless; the au
thorilies must see to it that he has the
amplest protection from all violence or
intimidation. Isaac Cheek must not
leave home. His humble cabin is his
castle; and all right and justice demand
that he shall hereafter sleep as securely
within its walls as the mighsiest magnate
in the land within his lordly mansion.
Isaac Cheek, for the time being, repre-
sents the citizens of Wilson county; and
that citizenship appeals, through him, TO
the laws of the lsSd, for the fullest and
freest protection. l mus; not appeal in
vain.
Il is needless to add that whist we have
written is the sentim Mt of Wilson county.
Ali good citizens unite in applsuding the
conduct of Isasc Che, k, in his defense
of himself from mdDight assassination;
ard all good citizens unue in demanding
that he shall suffer ro bod ly harm, from
any source whatever, IN consequence
thereof.