The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-02
THE CALIFORNIA TRAGEDY
What the Leading Paper on the Coast
Says of 1t.

The Alta California is pre-eminently
the leading paper of San Francisco. 1t is
sound in morals, finances and position,
and has the support of the best people of
all classes on the Coast 1t will be seen
that its position on the Kalloch-De
Young tragedy is precisely the one taken
by the STAR when the news first reached
us. The following is its article in full:
Comments upon the late attempted as
sassination in this city come from various
quarters and sections of the Union, near
ly all of them condemning, in unmeas-
ured terms, the attack and manner of it.
Many men who do not believe in the law
of personal vengeance for insult or inju-
ry, yet would entertain almost a forgiv-
ing sentiment toward man who goes
out boldly to meet his antag-
onist or enemy on equal terms;
but they can entertain no
such sentiment towards man who hides
himself like spider in a den, sends a
lying message to the man he intends to
kill, by such means brings him up within
close quarters to his pistols muzzle be-
fore he even sees it, and then and there,
without even word of warning, shoots
him as though he were a highwayman
attempting robbery and assassination.
No wonder that the journals of New
York, Chicago, and in fact, all through
the country, condemn in unmeasured
terms the cowardly act 1t is one for
which there can be but one verdict by
the right-thinking men of all parties. If
done in Breathitt County, KY, it could
not have been considered justifable.
No one who has any respect for the
laws of the land, any respect for human
nature, any self respect, or respect for
public opinion, can Justify the course of
either party in this miserable exhibition
of the worst passions, and the meanest, of
which humanity is capable 1t is, and
has been, all wrong from the beginning.
The Infamous attacks and replies have
been disgrace to the press and disgrace
to the pulpit-to the editor and to the
preacher. Each pretends to be teacher
of good morals, condemner of wrong, Of
Misrepresentation, Of violence. But each
forgot all the decent lessons that he had
ever taught, if either had ever taught
any, and resorted to the very lowest and
most disgusting accusations and counter
charges, ringing into the nasty puddle
of uttered or printed filth the names
of PERSONS who had nothing to dc
with the discussion. If the evil pas
sions of men incite them to abuse eacf
other, perhaps they have doubtful righ
to do SO; but, surely, there can be no ex
cuse for assailing innocent parties, whethe
dead fathers or live mothers, who can no
defend themselves.
And now for the application, as tn
clergy used to say, or as they used tn
lesson of their text and sermon. Th
people of San Francisco and of Californi
have rightly to bear portion of the dis
grace and crime of the past few days, be
cause they have aided in making filthy
lewd and heinous utterances popula
whether they came through the press o
pulpit. They have subscribed for jour
nal (Which many Of them read in thei
families) because of its debauching re
citals and debauching influences. The
have petted a moral cancer, and have n
right to complain if that cancer ha
poisoned the community.