The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-03-09
ASSASSINATION AS An IssrIrUTIoN.

the utterance. even, OF the word "assas-
sination." They are accustomed to as
sociate it with everything that Is horri-
BILE, treacherous and cowardly. They
class it among the meanest, most re-
pulsive and bloodiest OF crimes. And
vet. IL we are to believe the history OF
nations. and give credence to the stories
which have come down to us of the
means TO which peoples, oppressed by
tyrants and overpowered by arms, have
often been finally forced to resort to pro-
tect themselves, We find that assassina-
ton has IN certain unhappy periods ofthe
world become, through circumstances,
the subterfuge OF the best, .bravest and
most patriotic men. Indeed. singular
to say, we find that assassination has
been justified at times by many illustri-
ous authors as we'll as by statesmen ;
and one actually shudders when he re-
views the frequent occasions in which
people have resorted to this terrible
means TO relieve themselves Of unbear-
able tyranny, and, the high and noble
authorities which have justified them.
It liz earnestly to he hoped that, in
this enlightened age, with d frec press,
free church and a free school system,
we will never be reduced TO that condi-
ton OF humiliation, poverty. suffering
and helplessness. which have justi-
fed communities, less fortu-
nate. in resorting to assassination TO
protect their lives. their property and
their liberties. That was n noble sen
timent which the poet Euripides put
into the mouth of the heather King
Demophoon, II rule not my people by
tyranny. but am myself liable, ii do
unjustly. TO suffer justly and all good
men who reverence justice and honor
wisdom, must applaud the cele-
brated speech OF the Emperor Trajan
to one who he made General Of the
Prmtorian Guard; Take this drawn
sword" said the, Emperor, ito use for
me, II I reign we'll; II not, to use 1t
against me-" Under rulers such as these
people are always happy and pros
porous; obedient to the laws; devoted
TO their chief magistrates, and imbued
with q horror Of violence and hatred
Of revolution or assassination. A oele-
brated English writer. however, has
we'll sold generations change the fash
ion OF their morals with their hats and
their coaches" and what in one genera
ton, blessed with freedom and by pros
pcrity may be looked upon US revolt
ing crime, may come to be regarded in
a succeeding generation. cursed by
tyranny and restitution, an heroic viz
tue. |H ~ '0f
Thus while we find assassination, rev.
olution and violence of all kinds con-
demned and abhorred IN the happier
periods Of the world, we find them in
darker cras resorted to by the people
and commended by moralists, states
men and historians. In the earlier oen-
turtles, when the masses were more ig-
norant and rulers moreiapt to assume
unlawful and oppressive powers, It was,
in some countries, customary to keep
the idea OF the right Of resistance to ille-
gal power ever before the prince and
ever alive in the hearts Of the people
and in England to admonish the kings
that they were not exempt from punish
ment, It was usual to have the sword Of
st. Edward borne before the monarchs
by an officer, even In times OF the highest
poinp, reminding them shat IL they
erred the sword had power to re-
strain them.'' "And what restraint, p"
says John Milton, ''the sword comes to
at length, having both edge and point,
If any skeptic will doubt, let him feel. T"
'rhe people" said q pious and eminent
Englishman, "may kill wicked princes
as monsters and cruel beasts" "The
Greeks and Romans" writes one OF the
noblest and best of men, whose work
now lies before us, "as their prime au-
thors, witnesses, held it not only
lawful, but a glorious and heroic deed,
rewarded publicly with statues and
garlands, to kill an Infamous tyrant ut
any time without trial: aud but reason,
that he who trod down all law should
not be vouchsafed the benefit Of law"
Every reader Of the classics Is familiar
with the lines Of Seneca: tN3g
4@4. ft There can be slain .tt #Au
No sacrifice to God more acceptable III
Than an unjust and wicked king tn
And the English reader will readily call
to mind the magnificent lines OF Dryden.
II l. 4 D.