The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-08-02
MR.. TURvEYDRop ON EXECUTIONS.

The gentlemanly behavior Of Mr..
Guidry on the occasion Of his recent
hanging was extremely gratifying to his
large circle Of admiring friends, and did
great credit to the guardians and pre-
ceptors of his youth--who doubtless felt
pardonable pride In bis handsome de-
portment-and, also, to the community
In which he acquired and practiced the
graceful amenities that were 30 admlra-
bly, and strikingly displayed under such
interesting circumstances.
We say IL with grief and with a high
shouldered bow, that we are not what
we used to be In the point Of deport-
mont. We have degenerated. But q
dwelling age is not. favorable to deport-
ment. It develops vulgarity. The
truth OF this observation met with SAD
illustration Id the beastly behavior OF
the late members of the association
known to the vulgar as the Molly Ma
guires, on the recent melancholy occa-
sion at Mauch Chunk. It must be pc
culiarly gratifying to the people OF the
South, and especially OF this State, to
note the contrast between the conduct
OF Mr.. Guidry, q native OF Louisiana,
whose department was fashioned by
our own peculiar social culture, and
that Of these 'flne old Irish gentle
men," Mr.. Guidry's bearing might
we'll have attracted the attention OF his
Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and
any amount OF admiration that the
'arst gentleman OF Europe" might
have lavished on our late fellow-citizen
would have been appropriately be-
slowed As the Times very justly OBJ
serves
His manner was so simple and SO evidently
reflective OF the actual solemnity OF the oeca-
sion as to call forth q general expression Of
sympathy and approval. The affair was, In
short, highly satisfactory innovation on the
sydd sa ssy q oa y saeR sfsss
would have q very beneficial effect.
1t islto be regretted that the govern
ment does not always manifest q nice
discrim nation In selecting proper per-
sons to occupy the most trying and
conspicuous position on such sacrificial
occasions. It is not necessary to
suggest why too much care. can
not be. taken In This respect. The
gallows is an old and respectable In
stitution, held in crest generation BY
the people, and. by reason cf the Fstrik-
ing and imposing chsrAceerof the spec-
tacles 1t presents. must have profound
influence on popular manners and
morals. 1t must be plain, then, that
whenever it Is desired by the govern
ment to use 1t for the purpose Of i'm
pressing a lesson upon the public, only
those gentlemen should be selected to
exemplify It's teachings, who know how
to behave themselves with propriety and
becoming simplicity, and Ia a manner
truly reflective Of the actual solemnity
Of the occasions" Well may we inquire
what Is to become OF the department Of
mankind, IL all sorts Of coarse, vulgar
and emotional creatures are to be indis-
criminately thrust thus prominently
and impressively before the public. We
agree with the Times that sew more
such executions would have. q very ben
eficial effect" and, while commencing
the Governor for the wise discrimina-
ton he has shown IN presenting such
an admirable and cultured person as
Mr.. Guidry 10 Che public In connection
with the moral md social spectacle OF
the day, we must insist upon a similar
discretion upon all future occasions; or
we shah soon be eating peas with our
knives, or perhaps blowing our noses
on the napkins and picking our teeth
with the forks. All there are but few
OF us left, and we see nothing to succeed
us but q race of weavers.