The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-12-05

l AAoAO AOAAo"o9 OAGAOA " leAA
or without due process Of law. When
white men outrage or murder blacks,
there is nothing Of the kind. Justice
is not only lame but paralyzed before
the law of caste prevalent at the
South.
Reckless Use of Deadly Weapons.
What is life worth in community
where no value seems to be set upon
it7 To shoot down the desperate
who is insulting gentleman simply
to get q reply of y similar nature, that
he may kill his victim; to cut down
in moment the black hearted demon
who has taken advantage of hospital
ity and love to blight the highest and
purest aspirations of the human
heart, are cases bad enough, and
mankind, in the charitableness of a
common nature, will forgive the
slayer. In the cases referred to, self
protection on the one hand, and to
avenge fallen Innocence on the other,
plead eloquently in the public ear for
acquittal. How different the con-
ditions, when fellow creature is out
down, perhaps in the prime of life,
with no extenuating motive but
anger, but sudden passion. The pa
pers all over the South come con-
stantly freighted with such tragic re-
citals. 1t seems as if blood dis
temper was abroad in the land, and
murder decked in crimson colors,
stake abroad, defying the morals of
the church, the laws of the land, and
the public sentiment of the people.
10 there no remedy for the SAL con-
dition of society," The laws of the
country are good enough. Are they
administered properlyi Do the Of
ficers of Justice do their duty Do
they exercise their official authority
to the fullest in behalf of law aud
orderi Or do they too often relax
the severity of their discipline to
crafty morbid sentimentality, or
to catch the eclat Of popular de-
cisiOn ! Or does the fault lie with
the people, who individually have no
power, but collectively have it all
Here, We imagine, lies the great evil.
The people themselves are not suf-
fciently exercised when great crimes
are committed. 1t is by no means
cowardice, but indifference-if not
morally as mean, morally as wrong.
They act upon sthe false idea that
what is everybody's business is no.
bodx's. Great crimes Of every hue
and color, are. everybody's business,
and for community to individually
be nu1 bed in the presence of a reck-
less murderer, or any other class of
felons, is q partial triumph of his
crimes.
We don't mean that they should re-
sort to mob violence, but each man
should speak out his adherence plain
~ and emphatically. They should
let the daring evil-doer, to whatever
class he may belong, know that his
deeds are condemned, for in their
commission he has struck blow that
every man feels. If man is killed
or robbed. the question might occur
to each individual, who comes next I
What slight fault may l not commit
that will bring the murderer's bloody
knife to my throat, or his fatal bullet
to my heart I should be the thoughts
Of every one capable of reasoning.
Why is it that such beinous crimes
are go rare in the north, compared
with the southf It must be owing
to the deep and vital repugnance Of
the people to such crimes, and their
consequent hostility to the character
Of men who commit them. A man |
killed, in many sections of the United |
States, even in self defence, auakes |
= close and scrutinizing spirit of ia
luiry as to the facts of the case, and
be must make clear defence or he
will be sure to suffer the Just penalty
IF the law. Not so in many places
south, however. A man may be killed
md after few hours of idle comment.
or inquiry to satisfy a momentary
the matter is dropped with
IS much dispatch as the loss of a sal
or from the rigging of ship. The
Try of " man overheard" runs through
The crew in moment, and the boats
ire lowered and effort made to save
him, but probably he is never seen
gain and the ship in a little while
,oes on her course as though nothing
# the sort had happened. Truly, It
8 time that public sentiment should
70 righting itself i'll this matter, if we
Expect to enjoy that high grade of
for which we so streuu-
'usly contend. Our remarks are in
ended for no special case or partic-
liar place, although they have grown
ut of deeds committed here, and may
o some extent apply to our own COM
aunity.-Grenada { Miss, } Republican.
Specie Payments.