New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-08

10VOoto 49, " W04O0 NJ NV W0ooS VIII
PEELED to advert W. fsusmber 70 'hsvs
heard DR.. Rutherford, or some other Of
IN English delegation which visited this
city with view to inspect the induce
msnts to place capital here ~ that ppoa
learning the destination Of these travel
ers, . company in which . lie insurance
had been effected declined 10 assent with
out an added premium for the added risk.
We do not affirm that the extra chances
Of mortality referred to BY the 'Bssllstin
entered into the consideration Of the ID
vance demanded, but il New Orleans Lies
under the disqualification Of climate, it
becomes the more important We should
counteract this disadvantage by superior
inducements Of social safety and moral
associations. tt--t
! Our police reports announce usually
savage murder Of some person in whom
no especial interest is taken. A Sicilian
perishes by vendetta, negro cuts the
life out of his mistress, IN sx-policeman
shoots down an ex-detective, or one
masker Of Mardi Gras stabs another.
Such results Of hasty temper and
ready weapon attract little attention ex-
cept among the friends Of the victims.
This violence has occasionally taken
higher range. Men Of substance and
position in society, under the excitement
of imputations upon their honor, become
involved in sudden combat and either kill
or are killed by most deplorable abuse
of private arms. T
History tells that such have been the
propensity Of men wearing swords Ut their
sides to commit acts of violence, that they
have been forbidden to wear side arms in
the court or palace Of the king, IS men
are now searched for arms at ball of the
demi monde.
We have laws enough against the prac-
tice Of wearing concealed weapons, but
the law can not be enforced because the
custom is Of superior authority to the law.
A very large proportion of those who
carry arms do 80 with no intention Of COM
hitting violence, but in self-protection
against those who may 80 intend Society
might perhaps effect general disarma-
ment by agreement among the people
themselves. We have no suggestion better
to offer than an association for discour-
aging the habitual use of concealed
weapons. This need not be by prosecu-
ton under the laws, but by remonstrance
and persuasion with those who follow the
practice. This would be in effect some
thing like An association to moderate the
abuses of ardent liquors, Of the destructive
vice Of gaming, and might result in the
enactment and enforcement Of an efficien3
law.
We must remember that many
weapons are kept for the protection of
homes against burglars and incendiaries.
This may be to some extent relieved by
superior strictness in the choice and
appointment of policemen. The enlist
ment of men brave, honest and subordin-
ate, would have an influence auxiliary to
the personal efforts of the people. There
is no patronage which should be exercised
with more care than the choice of watch
men. There is none which, improperly
exercised, throws back more responsibility
upon the appointing power than that
which throws around the houses and
property of society unworthy guardians.
The public conviction seems to be clear
that the acts of violence occurring among
US from the reckless use of unlawful
weapons, bring social distress, business
embarrassment, distrust of capital, and
apprehension Of immigrants.
This conviction must have the effect of
calling attention to the evil, and, we hope,
of bringing about state of opinion and
of action under which the condition of
society among US will be regarded at
home and abroad, as orderly and safe as
elsewhere in the United States.