The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-05-31
Law and Justice.

w. Began Cash, somewhat noted
outlaw Of South Carolina, who a few
months ago shot man down in cold
blood and then took to the woods,
was killed while resisting arrest
Wednesday night.
Cash is a representative of a class
disappearing in the South, and his
death will do much to lessen its in
t1uence. He has been hunted down
by the civil authorities, and holding
himself above the law, resisting its
enforcement, he has been killed.
In the minds of many there is
something courageous in the career
of men like Cash. 1t seems there is
lingering in most of us a certain bar
barrie sentiment which responds to
any display of brute courage, it mat
tiers not how cruel and merciless it
may be. Cash was ready to kill
man at the drop Of the handkerchief.
He gaye his enemies no quarter, and
asked none. He refused to surren-
der, except on conditions and guar.
antees, and when these were refused
he announced he would never be TAX
en- alive.
He dies as a fool dieth. He dis
plays the utmost Indifference to life,
his own or any others. which, in the
thought of some, is admirable, but
which is much less admirable than
those qualities which mark the diff
ference between civilization and bar
barism. He died a "braye man :"
granted but he did not live as man
of courage. Bravery is something
common to most men it comes even
to the timid at times. Courage is a
higher quality, which fortities the
heart, gives strength and endurance,
and teaches one to suffer wrong rath-
er than do it; to obey a law even to
his own hurt.
The idea that the mere exhibition
of indifference to pain, suffering or
death is of itself courageous or chiv-
alrous is altogether a false and per-
niciOus one, due to sensational stories
and vicious yellow backed literature,
1t does not prevail in the most en-
lightened communities. No one
doubts the courage Of the English, no
one questions the courage Of the men
of New England, but no such ideas
are tolerated there. You may mark
the progress of any community to-
ward civilization by the prevalent
opinion concerning a career like that
of Cash.
He is, in fact, a common despera-
do, no more entitled to admiration
than the burglar, who, at the risk of
his life, robs a house, or the train
robber who, in a spirit of adventure.
terrorizes a whole State. In all this
there is no evidence Of chivalry, no
high courage, no fortitude, nor in
trepidity nor answering resolution.
1t is simply brute strength joined to
brute passion. There is no safety to
any community where it is even
winked at. Confusion of ideas mere
leads to tolerance for acts which, long
tolerated, end in anarchy, or govern
ment by the mob.
South Carolina has begun to deal
with her outlaws in the right way
in way we in Kentucky must imi-
tate. Government exists to protect
life and property ; failing in this, 1t
throws man back on his own Indi-
yidual resources for self-prHtection.
1t makes him judge, jury and eXecu-
toner, and places on him the reSpOn-
sibility of WHICH every man wishes
to be relieved and from which every
one naturally shlinks. The aim
should be to end this state Of affairs,
to strengthen the authorities of the
law, to aid them by the prompt and
conscientious performance of his du-
ties as citizen, ard TO stamp out
that spirit of lawlessness which pro-
duceS men like Cash in South Carroll
ma, and in Kentucky men like Buford
and Corneilson.