Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-10-29
HOMICIDE-CoNCEALED WEAPONS.


in this city within the last few
months, and it may be safely said
that they all resulted from the per-
nlclous custom of carrying concealed
weapons. There are men, no doubt,
who walk the streets of Knoxville,
both in the day time and at night,
armed with deadly weapons, ready
to use them on the slightest provo-
cation. When those crowds of peos
pie assembled here, during the last
two circuses, there we're probably
borne concealed about the persons
of men and boys, one thousand or
fifteen hundred pistols, and this,
notwithstanding, the statute by
which the carrying of concealed
weapons is prohibited and severe
penalty denounced There is also
law prohibiting the sale or brings
ing into the State for the purpose of
selling, giving away or otherwise dis
posing of pistols. Yet there seems
to be no scarcity of those weapons.
Why, now, is it, that these whole.
some laws are daily disregard-
ed7 And why are the penalties
prescribed for a violation of these
laws not more frequently enforced7
The reason must be that public SEN
timent does not demand their execu>
ton. A law, the enforcement of
which is not demanded by public
opinion, is, for the most part dead
letter. How many think less of
man who carries a concealed weapon!
From what family circle is he ex-
Guided on that account? Nay, among
a certain class the man who goes
round with pistol in his hip-pocket
and is supposed to be ready to use
it, upon any real or fancied insult,
is regarded as a chivalric gentle man;
elevates himself in the estimation
and commands the respect of that
class.
If we would have these laws en-
forced healthier public sentiment
must be created. The pulpit and the
press must "cry aloud and spare
not" and the best in our society
must sustain the effort. The carry
ing of concealed weapons must be
treated as a crime against society.
| Fathers must teach their sons to
avoid the habit of carrying weapons
as they would avoid the possession of
stolen goods. Their daughters should
be taught to shun the society of men
who thus violate the law. Into the
families of law~abiding people such
men should not be allowed to enter
on terms of social intercourse. In
the existing state of public opinion
what is to be expected of the rising
generation? When they know that
men of high standing are continually
or habitually armed, what is more
natural than for the boys and young
men to follow the example? And
as long as the example is followed
and the custom kept up, a recurrence
of bloodshed may be expected. II
is not supposed that public opinion
can be formed that will entire ely pre-
vent acts of violence resulting IL
death. There never will come time
this side of the millennium when there
will not be persons who regarC
neither the law of God nor man; bu
if the proper public sentiment pre-
vailed homicides would be of yer,
unfrequent occurrence among res
pectable people.
Every one who has observed a
all the administration of tn
criminal laws knows that it i
much easier to convict for larcen,
than for homicide. Why? Becaus
public opinion is terribly severe Of
the man who steals his neighbor'
goods. He is cast out, disgraced an
rendered Infamous. Not SO, if o.
= some slight provocation, some Sigh
wrong or insult, he draws a conceal
ed weapon and takes his neighbor
life. He is not disgraced, nor cas-
out, nor rendered infamous. 81
moves in the same society in whic
= he had been accustomed to move, an
by some is regarded as a hero. Ho
- few who are indicted for larcen
escape? How few who are indicte
for homicide are convicted? And Y,
the latter is by far the higher ofens
Alas, that goods should be so de;
and human life SO cheap! Aroul
the same public sentiment again
homicide Except in self defense) tn
: prevails against stealing, and Il
number of convictions for the OF
n: offense will not be so much great
than in the other. So it is, that t
verdicts of juries in the main, al
especially in the administration
- important laws but reflect the pop
lar feeling.
Jurors come from the body of t
= county. They usually are men
some property-they have hon
and families they. are interested