The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1878-03-21
HOW BLOODsHED DESTROYS AN
UNIVERSITY AND A CITY as
WELL.

The ten splendid buildings and Pan
theen and Library of the University OF
Alabama were burned, when wal
ragged between the States, by another
Omar. 1t was proposed to ask Con-
gress to reproduce at least the chapel,
recitation and lecture halls, the ro-
tunda and library and professors resi-
dences. Dormitories are no longer
approved in the conduct of colleges
and universities, and it was not
supposed that those should be re-
built. But a student named Harrison
has murdered another named Aston,
and the Northern press comments upon
the shameful facts with such bitter
ness that few Northern men could be
induced to aid in restoring an institu-
ton whose undergraduates shouted
the praises of another who sent bull
let through the heart of an unarmed
fellow-student. 1t may be that news
paper readers are ignorant of the civil
lied worlds opinions upon this sub.
ject. A.depraved public opinion OBJ
tains here, or, in other civilized coun-
tries. The Democratic New York
World says that in no country in Eu-
rope and m no Northern State could
such story be told as this of barbar-
ism and blood which becomes part
of the history of the University of
Alabama. There are everywhere
young men of murderous temper, but
in civilized countries such youths as
these would never gain access to
schools or colleges. In the South this
story shows that the social pressure is
all the other way. 1t is quite futile to
blame Harrison, the homicide in this
case, for shooting the man who struck
him, when all his fellow-students, and
apparently his teachers also, applaud
him, and it is quite evident that no
jury will find him guilty of any offense.
At the same time it is clear to the
European and the Northern American
mind that to draw o concealed weapon
and shoot q companion who strikes
you is an insufferable practice. The
attendant circumstances of this case
make itstill moro Objectionable. AT
ter Harrison had fatally wounded his
man he kept on firing until he had
emptied his pistol, ''ran in room and
shut the door, but came quickly out
with another pistol and shot at Aston
again." also that he ''yelled as if VIC
torious when Aston was dying, F."
and that another ingenious youth,
q roommate of Harrison's, cried
out, "Harrah for room Al" 1t
IS quite evident that all this could
not happen in many civilized countries.
II told without names, as story of the
nineteenth century, it woLld most
probably be referred to the Comanches,
or possibly the Tartars. II any blame
attaches to either party it is to the vic
tim, who must have known the Gus
toms of tie country, aud the fact that
A gentleman who undertook to remon-
strate with another gentleman took his
life in his baud. II is the first duty of
man under these circumstances to
ssges the drop" upon the other man,
and by no means to permit the other
man to get the drop upon him. II AL,
ston had shot Harrison instead of strik-
ing him. there Is no reason to suppose
that he would have come to any harm
either from the law or public opinion.
The one redeeming feature OF the
whole business is the fact that it is
thoroughly understood. Aston and
Harrison both knew that they were in
mortal peril, and it became trial Of
skill and quickness in which Harrison
had the better of It. But the condition
Of society which begets these assassi.
nations seems medieval, remote and
foreign TO all civilized communities
outside of the Southern States. It is
N part product Of the institution Of
slavery, and it win disappear with the
graduai assimilation OF southern So
ciesy 70 other free Communities. But
30 long As theunwritten code, of which
this ARRAY is an instance. is the law of
Southern life, il Is foolish and unjust
to blanc any individual Southern.r for