The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-12-25

III new 1ork-that OF Duryea by Sim
mons-has once more suggested to citi.
zens there tho possibilities OF Ly nch law n
The New York Times, which has, been
exercised considerably in The past over
alleged ku Klux crimes in the South,
has long article demanding TO- know
what we shall do about murder.". It
declares: I'VE record about bne murder
day In New York proper, ands'nobody
is punished, and indeed it seems diff3onit
to have anybody tried" If such o state
OF things existed in any of tho Southern
States. the Albany Penitentiary would
have to be considerably enlarged. It ia
U terrible condition OF, affairs, beyond all
doubt. And the difficulty OF applying
legal remedies in New York may be in.
ierred from the tnlk in which the Times
INDUCES, that "when freedom has deee-
nerated into license, and law becomes
only protector OF criminals, despotism
IN some form is always called in to take
the relns OF government at the first mo-
ment of reaction. It comes like a tenn.
pest, but it does clear the air."
Ihe Times then goes on to tell how q
former despotio Governor General of
Cuoa. Tacon, put an end to the fire.
quenoy OF murders in Havana, where
that crime had become as common as in
New York. One morning, about dozen
bodies were discovered in the strects,
stabbed to death. In the course of the
day, Tucon sent for the chief of police.
who presented himself Of the viceregal
palace. "Where are the murdercrs of
those men who were killed last evening?
Have you arrested them?" "Where,
your E;xcellency? How should know?
l do not oven know who they are. 1
have made inquiries, but have boon able
to discover nothing Your Excellency
Will see that it is impossible that there
should be any arrests" II see no such
thing" said Iacon, rising in his wrath.
LOOK you here, sir; 6nd me the men
who committed those murders before
three days are over, or, on the fourth, l
Will garrote-you." "Bnt. your Excel
lency-" mot word; find them, or
take their place" Accordingly, tho chief
OF police found the required number,
though whether they were the actual
criminals or not is uncertain. at any
rate, they were garroted without deluy,
and assassination began to diminish ra-
pidly in Havana.
The Times goes on to indicate that
the despot'sm OF mob, say of vigi-
lance committee, (alids Ku KIux,) is
moro terrible than that of a sincla 90.
vernment, and that wheu this sort of
despotism ruled in San Francisco. .from
that time order dwelt within the golden
gates" OF course, it hopes that no
such disgrace nnd horrof" will fall
upon New York, but the drift of its
meaning is perceptible enough. The re-
oital of these ,faots is sufficient 70 show
the appalling prevalence and impunity
of murder in New York.
Tho last victim and hts murderer there
were men prominent in their way, and
they grappled with each other in the
street like wild beasts, and the murderer,
with his victim under him, unable to
make e1fectual resistance, cut him TO
death with repeated blows t his Bowie
knife. The GOODNESS and indifference be
manifested after the deed and ut the
time OF his arrest were subject of gene
nj remark, though we now learn that his
defence will be that he committed the
act in pnroxysm OF rage, having been
excited to frenzy by Duryea's taunts and
q knowledge OF his own straitened mo.
netary condition. In other words, the
unfortunate MIR. Simmons will seem to
have been q victim of temporary insa-
nifty. malady which the best men are
subject to, and which relieves him OF all
moral responsibility.
1t is obvious, however, that if every
man who suffers from the "taunts" of an
enemy, or from his "straitened none
tary condition." is going into "frenzy"
about it, and can only relieve himself By
killing somebody, the population of this
planet is likely to be seriously dimi-
nished. The very mention of such de-
fence in any country where the laws are
impartially and efficiently administered
would cause general smile of derision.
Almost simultaneously with this fresh
New York atrocity, the second trial of
Stokes. for the "alleged murder" of
Fisk, has commenced. It is nearly O.
year since this "alleged murder" has
occurred, and it romans yet to be settled
whether Stokes was guilty, or is an limo.
cent and muoh-injured man, incarce.
rated for 80 long period unjustly. In
view of snch developments as these, it is
much to be feared that, unless the foun.
tains OF Justice are purified in New York,
the dreadful alternative Of Lynch law.
suggested by the Times, will yet disgrace
the chief metropolis of this country.
The New York Express says: "a man
can take 800, (f he has it,) tako re-