The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-01-13
Some Oil nnd Vinegar.

The recent legislation in South Caro-
lima Oh the subject Of duelling, drinking
and concealed weapons has attracted at.
tention in every part of the country, and
few newspapers let the opportunity pass
of giving the State good word or of
cracking joke at our expense. 1t is in.
structive, it it is not always pleasant. to
know the way in which our actions are
regarded by our neighbors, and we shall
therefore, give our readers the benefit Of
the comments which are most peculiar
and striking, whether the papers that
publish them are friendly or not.
Three newspapers in Hartford come to
the front. The Post (Rep.) has horri-
BILE suspicion that the inclusion of razors
among the deadly weapons which shall
not be carried concealed is intended to
dIsarm the negroes. 1t naively says:
"Of course shotgun is not usually
concealed about the person any more
than red shirt, which makes the polt.
lcal cavalry of that State of service TO
the Democratic party when elections are
pending, and the carrying of that deadly
weapon will probably be prohibited ia q
separate enactment when there shall be
no further use fc. it. We suspect that
the present law is only half way ut.
tempt to reform society. It is prubibi-
ton of the razor, the only weapon which
the colored people have been able to
secure as defence in shotgun warfare
In the old blave times the negroes had
only this weapon to use when pursued by
hounds, snd they came tU accept il as the
only righteous weapon they could have
70 protect themselves. Because of its
general use III the South, it is now car
rled by many colored men in the cities of
the North, former slaves having mixed
with the coiored population and made its
use the fashion. Though a deadly wca-
pom, it is surprising how few deaths re.
suit iiom its employment in rough. and
tumble. One shotgun at colored ball
or picnic would do more damage than
whole case of razors. For q starting
point South Carolina does we'll, and. If
finally razors and shot guns are laid by
there will be more agreeable state of
things where the palmetto grows"
We should like to know who palmed
OFT on the Post that story about the uses
of the razor in slavery times. The fact
is that the negroes had just as many
pocket knives as they could buy or bor.
row, and were not dependent on razors
ior any other purpose than shaving.
Nor was the razor ever used as a weapon
OF offence in the South until after the
late war. We grant that one shotgun
might do more damage than whole case
OF razors, but then, you know, Napo-
leon, with double charge of canister,
would do more damage than whole box
OF shot-guns, and yet cannon are not
mentioned in the lag relating g Con
cealed weopons. The C5urant (Dem.)
takes cheerful view of the situation.
II says:
"The South Carolina y.eE;s,atiire.
which has just adjourned, gave an exam.
pie OF wise and progressive legislation.
1t passed severe Act against duelling,
anhiec.ings q challenger or the accen.or of
challenge to loss of suffrage, to disa.
6llity to hold any Office of honor or profit
in the Stute and to two years imprison-
ment IN the Penitentiary, and the SLAYER
in duel to death for wilful murder.
This is good, but it is doubtless in ad-
vance OF public opinion. The era of
good feeling was also marked by clos-
ing speech from mulatto Senator from
beaufort, in behalf of the Republicans.
thanking the Democrats for their impair.
tial and generous treatment"
The Hartford Times (Dem. thinks the
Anti Duelipg law will 90 far towards
a6oiIshing the silly and wicked practice
OF dueiling-abSurdly regarded, in that
region, rs a highly 'cn:valrous' method
of settling personal differences" AS TO
the Concealed Weapons law it says:
1T is as sorely needed in Colorado,
Kansas, Missouri, California, &c, as it is
in the ScEth-and it is in the south
and it is greatly needed in all quarters.
The custom OF permitting men, who in
personal affrays draw concealed weapons.
TO escape the proper consequences OF that
offence, hes for long years led to more
murders, in the South and West especial
| ly, than any one would readily believe.
Carrying concealed weapons il essential
~ q cowardly practice. and severe lave
to punish il should not only be enacted,
vicious part of q highly vicious Ameri.
can practice, which, originating in the
necessities of rude border life, and
strengthened in the South by the insti-
futon OF negro slavery, aud in the West
oy the ,preponderance of daring, swag-
geHng or reckless men, has grown aud
opread, through all of this boasted nine.