Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-09-25
KNIFE AND PISTOL.

leges by all citizens and other persons
within the jurisdiction of the United
States, without regard to race, creed or
color, and at the same time we deem it
unnecessary and unwise to attempt, by
Congressional legislation, or otherwise,
to compel as between such races, creeds
or colors, the joint exercise of such ac-
commodations, advantages, rights or
privileges. But we recognize the prin-
ciple, which is older than our Constitu-
ton, that every mans house is his cas-
tie, and that, under our Government,
every citizen, white or black, has the
right to bear arms in conformity to
law, and to express his opinions without
interference or molestation.
This third resolution of the Repubh-
can platform adopted at Chattanooga,
beats all about the bush of Civil Rights,
but closes with bold asseration that
'every citizen, white OF black, has the
right to bear arms" The gist Of the
whole resolution is: it may not be poll
tic just now to urge your social rights,
dear colored brethren, but you should
procure firearms. This is the sop Of
fered to Tennessee darkies. in lieu of
what they demanded from the Repub-
lican Convention. 1t reads like a d.
rect advice to arm themselves and thus
obtain the rights denied. We give the
resolution above, to speak for itself.
The 'but," opening the second SEN
tence, is suggestive, and few can doubt
the meaning that will be attached to
what follows, by an ignorant and IN
ferior race.
Aside from this ugly connection, and
taken on its own simple merits, we
think that, in the present juncture, it
is a most unnecessary and inopportune
work to insist upon the right of either
white or black to bear arms, and to
raise this right to the dignity of State
issue. White and black are only too
ready to both carry and use firearms,
The practice is one to be discouraged
on all hands, not to be emblazoned and
advocated in the platform of political
party. Enthusiasts tell us that whis-
ky Stays its thousands. Cooldeaded
observers of human nature Itl say
rather that nine-tenths of the N lrders
which disgrace our civilizations result
from the fatal facility of the pocket
pistol. These portable arseIbls Of
death make the young reckless and the
old indiscreet. They are the slSeld Of
evil men, and a temptation to the good
There is world of philosophy in the
prayer, LEAD us not into temptation -
A pistol in the pocket Is a temptation
at every petty rebuff of life. Friend
has shot down friend in the moment of
passion, whom be would give worlds to
recall The ready revolver did it.
All cur readers understand that the
right to bear arms, recognized as in
alienable by the Federal and State
constitutions, does not applyto pistols,
revolvers, sword-canes, stilettoes or
Bowie knives. The uniform tenor of
all court decisions is that it applies
only to such firearms as are useful in
the common defense of 4 people. Such
is the expression actually used in our
Bill of Rights: "That the citizens of
this State have a right to keep and to
bear arms for their common defense"
This certainly excludes the knife,
which has and can have no place in
honorable warfare. Concealed weapons
do not come under the constitutional
privilege. Even those of lawful war
fare, publicly worn, are forbidden
when thus used to intimidste, or for
purposes of assassination.
Under the new constitution the
Legislature of 1870 passed an act strin-
gent enough for all purposes, if it were
enforced. Under this law, the person
carrying a pistol or other unlawful
weapon either publicly or privately, is
subject to fine of SO to $50, with i'm.
T4sssnment of thirty to sixty days at
BE discretion of the court, and must
give bond IN a sum not exceeding 81 ,G0O
to keep the peace for the ensuing SIX
months. Grand juries may make pre-
sentiments without a prosecutor and
all peace officers are enjoined to en-
force the act under penalty of dismiss
al from Office and disqualification.
Circuit and criminal judges are in
structed to charge tie grand jury
specially with this matter at each term
of court. The only exceptions made
are officers on actual duty and citizens
who are bona fde aiding them, or trav-
elers out of their county or State. Any
person carrying a pistol at an election,
fair, horse race or other public assem-
blage is liable to fine of not less than
$50 and Imprisonment at discretion.
The law is clear and comprehensive
enough. The difficulty lies in enforcing
it without odious inquisitorial search.
The law is perhaps in advance of pub
lie sentiment, and affords a proof that
something more than legislation is
needed to bring on the millennium. No
man will inform on his friend for car.
rying a concealed weapon. Bad men
are known to have them, and good men
timidly think they must also arm in
sef-defense. As practical protection
for peaceful men, revolyers are a delu-
sion and a snare. Such men are seldom
expert in their use, and by drawing
them, place themselves at the mercy Of
bad men more familiar with the 'weap-
on. How often have We seen the good
citizen shot down by the desperate
How seldom the reversed