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

The recent legl5latl0n 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, if 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 polit.
ical cavalry of :hat State Of service to
the Democratic party when elections are
pending, and the carrying of that deadly
weapon will probably be prohibited in a
separate enactment when there shall be
no further use for it. We suspect that
the present law is only q halfway at
tempt to reform society. 1t is q prohibi-
tion Of the razor, the only weapon which
the colored people have been able to
secure as a defence in shotgun warfare.
In the old slave times the negroes had
only this weapon to use when pursued by
hounds, and they came to accept it as the
only righteous weapon they could have
to protect themselves. Because of its
general use in the South, it is now car
ried by many colored men in the cities of
the North, former slaves having mixed
with the colored population and made its
use the fashion. Though a deadly wea-
pom, it is surprising how few deaths re-.
suit from its employment in rough-and-
tumble. One shotgun Mt a colored ball
or picnic would do more damage than q
whole case of razors. For a starting
point South Carolina does we'll, and, il
finally razors and shot.guns are laid by,
there will be more agreeable state of
things where the palmetto grows"
We should like 10 know who palmed
off 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 mot dependent on razors
for any other purpose than shaving.
Nor was the razor ever used as weapon
of offence in the South until after the
late war. We grant that one shotgun
might do more Gamage 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 arc not
mentioned in the law relating to con.
cealed weopons. The Courant (Dem.
takes a cheerful riew of the situation.
1t says:
"The South Carolina Legislature,
which has just adjourned, gave an exam.
pie of wise and progressive legislation.
1t passed severe Act against duelling,
sub bjecting challenger or the acceplor oi
a challenge to loss of suffrage, to disa-
bility to hold any office Of honor or profit
in the Slate and to two years imprison-
ment in the Penitentiary, and the slayer
in a duel to death for witul murder.
This is good, bat 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 Duelling law will 60 far towards
abolishing the silly and wicked practice
of duelling-absurdIy regarded, in that
region, as highly 'chivalrous' method
of settling personal differences" AS IL
the Concealed Weapons law it says:
'It is as sorely needed in Colorado
Kansas, Missouri, California, &C., as it is
in the Southland 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 thai
offence, has for long years led to more
murders, in the South and West especial
ly, than any one would readily believe
Carrying concealed weapons is essential
lya cowardly practice, and severe laws
to punish it should not only be enacted
but releutessly enforced. 1t is very
vicious part of a highly vicious Ameri
can practice, which, originating in The
necessities of q rude border life, ant
strengthened in .he South by the insti
futon OF negro slavery, and in the Wes
BY the preponderance of daring, swag
gering or reckless men, has grown ant