Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-04-15

II gill be seen that the percentage OF pris-
oners among the white population OF the
South ia less than half that reported among
the white population OF New England. In
considering these figures 1t is obvious that
the objection will be urged that, in the
South, the punishment Of crime is less GER
tain than in New England, and that the
number of prisoners is, therefore, not fair
indication Of the percentage of actual crime
between the two sections. "This," says the
Netus, ito certain extent, is unfortunately
true, though the advantage of New England
in this respect is not nearly as great as many
of our frieu de down East claim and perhaps
honestly believe it to be-" Another consid-
Grafton is that 10 whatever extent it may be
true, the difference between the certainty of
punishment Of crime in the two sections is
not sufficiently marked 10 account for the
enormous disparity between the number Of
white persons imprisoned for crime in South
Carolina and Massachusetts,, for instance.
In rejecting upon these statistics, it mnstibe
remembered that they are subject TO the I'M
avoidable defect that they do not show us
the relative proportion of arrests and COM
mitments to crime in the different States,
and there is difference in proportion TO the
number and activity of the police, and to the
state Of, public sentiment. with respect TO
special kinds OF crime. In Utah, for instance,
where the crime of polygamy is common.
arrests for it are few. Another defect in
these figures is that they do not tell what is
the proportion between crime against The
persou-such as assaults and murders aud
crime sgainst property. We have endeav-
orsd in these lines TO bring, in a candid and
unbissed manner, before the readers of the
APPEAL a subject that is too often discussed
in bitterness and hate. In so far as those who
are not well-wishers to the South bave
correctly pointed out its errors, they have,
whether they intended it or not, done it GER
vice, by it directing its observation to what
is weak and demanding attention in its
amor of defense; where it has been done
only 10 taunt, deride and denounce, the mean
ness and malice OF the accusers will bring
their own reward without our returning gall
LOT DlttcIuSSo. Ouo tuluS VIC Cau soy WIN
satisfaction, that the plan of Furnishing those
who carry private weapons, which has been
80 successfully carried out in Memphis, is
spreading TO the States around us and is be-
coming popular, for wherever it is intro.
duced homicides decrease. Such fact is
proof that the relaxation of the sentiment of
value for human life, which was unsettled by
the war in the district where invasion, pill
lage and battle took place, and every man
carried his life in his hand, is returning 10
its normal condition, and the impulse
against murder is becoming more vivid.
Those in the North who cast reproach forget
when they say, eve are boiler than thou"
thst they have not been exposed to the raw
ages Of the sword and the demoralizing in
huauces of actual warfare IS the South has,
ard such influences uphappily survive the
causes that produced them. These evil in
fuences and vindictive memories are dying
away, and as they pass off respect aud love
Tor the United States and obedient regard for
The laws Of God take their place.