The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-04-09
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to demonstrate its benefits
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TITS With feelings Of regret that We fee
called upon to write about the crime which
is rampantz the State. To-day We pub
flish various 6eeounts Of crimes Of the most
diabohcal character, such as none but fends
incamate would commit. Murder, rape
and robbery are committed with the most
astounding indifference. The very spirit
of Satan has entered into and taken fun
possession Of the hearts OF the perpetrators.
Neither age, sex nor condition are regarded.
Intent only upon tile accomplishment Of
their unholy purposes, the miscreants rush
upon their victims with unrelenting savag-
ism. Now, why is thisl Why so many con
tinue to blacken the fair name of Texas 2
Why are they permitted to escape Is
there no possible plan by which they can
be hunted up and. brought to justice We
believe that Texas has Governor who VIII
do all in his power to bring the violators
of the law before the tribunals of the
country. But he must be backed
by good and true men-brave men, men
who know what honor, justice and truth
demand, men who know the untold injury
which win result to Texas by any failure on
the part of the officers of the State to do
their duty. Tosuch men a word is sufficient.
They know that crime cannot be compro-
missed with. That any concession to-day will
be followed by demands for more to-mor-
row.. That the work must be sharp, quick
and incisive. They must feel and know
that the people of the State are fully aroused
and that concerted action will henceforth
be the order of the day. The citizens of
each county should take care to see that the
sheriffs and constables do their duty in
way that will show to the outlaws
that they cannot commit deeds of
darkness and escape. 1t will not do
after a crime has been committed to
say, ''Well, it is unusual, and will not
be committed again" Just such forbear-
ance is the cause of aEcontinuation. If
the outlaws can escape from one commu-
nifty, THY feel secure until they sec fit to
gointo another. But, if, in every case, they
are pursued from county to county, even if
they should make their escape, it would be
by such hard work that they would give
Texas wide berth, and the land would be
quiet and safe. We have just as good law
abiding citizens as any State in the Union;
and it is we'll known that majority of the
violations of the law can be traced to few
desperate characters. This makes it SO
much more the duty of each county to be
on the lookout, SO that whenever one comes
within the pale of civilization, he maybe
hunted down just ike lion or tiger would
be. The citizens must arouse themselves,
unless they are willing to have the reputa-
ton cf the State ruined and its progress
greatly retarded. r
Whenever it is known that some of these
outrageous crimes have been committed, fit
is found that the officers of the law cannot
catch the criminal, information should be at
once sent to the Governor, with description
of the perpetrator, if known, so that he
may issue his proclamation, offering suita-
bic rewards for the apprehension of the ac
cused. OF course the Executive will offer
such rewards aswill cause diligent search
and pursuit. 1t wonld be far better for the
State to have five hundred lions in her bor-
ders than fifty of the outlaws and muir
sderers. sif e. agaro yig1 svasi l'.d
= Will not the press of the State unite
with us in calling attention to the matter?
The press is all-powerful for good or evil.
IF all of the papers will unite in the de-
nunciation of such scoundrels, and urge
every measure which can be adopted for
preventing a repetition of such crimes; the
time win soon come when the fair name and
fame Of our great and growing common
wealth win no longer be injured by the re-
port of such outrages,. We write urgently,
knowing how much is at stake. Il A half
dozen murders will, probably, keep out of
the state twenty Thousand people. How
important it is then that the laws should be
enforced and crime suppressed,
Butthe is another phase to the ques-
ton. The lives of cur citizens must be
protected, properly secured, and order main
tanned. Let there be no faltering, no fear
of injuring our reputation by giving pub
licity to such conduct II the facts are
suppressed in the papers Of the State, they.
usually find their way into some distant
journal greatly changed and exaggerated.
The way TO get@rid of tUmOris by pune
turing it. Post the rascaIs and puncture
them when caught Let the jails and peni=
tentiaries be. their resting places, until the
gallOws claims its own. Then will peace,
order and prosperity rest and remain
with us. sM