The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1873-05-03
LAWLEssNEss.

Our caption is intended to the
whole ground of law-breaking in its va
rious and multitudinous forms. 1t is a
remarkable fact, that crime Of all kinds
is constantly on the increase, and our
newspapers are daily filled with accounts
of.atrocities Of the most terrible charac-
ter, often to the exclusion of other
important matter. With us, on the bor-
ders of civilization, we are more exposed
to the brutal natures Of wicked and
unprincipled men than in larger and
older established communities. Every
day we are informed Of some man being
shot down, generally for some trivial
o~ffense, which could have been easily
settled by a few calm words. 1t has
become a rule among a certain class that,
in order to become a leader in their
branch of society, n Or more victims
must be killed in some drunken row,
after which a reputation as a Fighter
is established (; and quiet, i~noffensive
men must bear to be insulted whenever
it pleases the heroes to do SO. Many
there are, who, through very despera-
ton, generally brought about by whisky
and cards, take to the business of steal
ing, robbery, etc. Among this class we
find those bandits who lie in wait on
public highways, stop stages and rob
passengers. However, generally speak
ing, this sort of men have in but few
instances committed murders, and are
generally caught and imprisoned still,
at times, violence is resorted to in order
to accomplish a robbery. The Incidents
regarding the death of William Mann,
published on our first page, are still fresh
in the minds of our readers, and should
operate as an incentive to all law-abiding
citizens to bring the murderers to speedy
and effectual punishment. In view of
the fact that all are more or less liable to
be waylaid and murdered, while pursuing
peacefully their various avocations, if
these lawless acts are allowed to go I'M
punished, We say that it is high time
examples were made of the murderers in
this last drama. While we are not an
advocate of mob law ; while we believe
in justice being meted out to all and
every one, we cannot shut our eyes to
the fact that crime seems to be fostered
and protected by our courts Of law, from
want of adequate and speedy punishment
for offenses committed in daylight, with
scarcely an effort at concealment. Ex-
amples are needed to impress on the
minds of the evil-disposed portion of
communities, that whenever a crime is
perpetrated, a severe penalty is attached.
Men who will murder, rob and steal are
to be ruled wholly through their fears of
punishment, never through love and
kindness they need to be taught that
the well-disposed and law-abiding will
not snffer their lives and property to be
hazarded without making an effort at
self-protection. With the same propriety
we can try to conquer the wild Indians
OF Arizona with honied words and loving
looks, as to subdue bad white men. when
the strong hand of the law shows itself
powerless to suppress atrocities. Through
fear alone can such be ruled, and it is
high time some effort was being made to
put a stop to this lawlessness now preya
lent. The murdered driver, william
Mann, was of more benefit to the world
than the whole pack Of thieves and rob-
bers which run riot through Nevada, and
his loss could hardly be compensated by
the destruction Of the gang of numbering
villains who caused his death. We trus,
they may be caught and made to paw tn,
penalty so richly deserved.