The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-01-30
Let the Pistol Go.
DALLAS, Jan. 29.-[Editor HERALD

DALLAS, Jan. o. Editor HERALD. II
In an excellent communication from
Cisco, in recent HERALD, the reader is
left to infer that in the earlier days of
Texas when almost every one wore
arms because of Indian hostilities, the
number of murders and other lawless
acts were greater than now. This is
not true, as our Oldest and best citizens
will affirm. On the contrary, they know
that the proportion of murders, street
fights and all manner OF "shoOting
scrapes," even allowing for the increase
in population, are as five, perhaps ten to
one greater than they were from the
time af annexation to the time of Sc
cession. And going back to the days
of the colonies and the republic the |
| disparity is still greater. | have often |
conversed with old citizens on this sub |
| .ect, and, as a general rule, their opin-
ions have been, like my own, in great
doubt as to whether the law against
carrying pistols openly was not the in
direct cause Of more crime than would
occur il there was no such inhibition.
During Davis administration from 1870
to 1874, il was so avowed by the best men
in the state. One fact is beyond contrO-
versy: That the law for years past im-
posing u trifing fine for carrying con-
cealeG weapons, puts peaceable, law
abiding men, who obey its mandates,
at the mercy OF desperadoes and assas-
sins. While not having had pistol
for fourteen years, and never having
carried one except in war or for de-
Tense against Indians, it has ever SEEM
ed to mo to be lame and nOn-ef-
fective law in the protection of society
against bad men. And for that reason
have often in heart justified good citi-
zens for carrying pistols about their per-
sons, for instance, when walking the
streets Of our larger towns in dark
{ nights, as many of the best men do
and will continue to do till the law
strikes terror in the really bad man by
lation. Let such realize this fact and
r society will be safe, and peaceable citi-
( zens will have no occasion clandestinely
!. to violate the law. These are facts gen.
1 orally known, and why disguise themf
g have known some of the most con-
Y scientiOus travelling preachers in Texas
5 to carry arms, and why? To meet dan
e ger lurking by the roadside in the form
0 of Indians, just as good men do now II
S many places to guard against, armed
5 thieves and assaSsins. Our bishops
l priests and preachers would do 80 now
3. under the same circumstances
/ and would be honored Tor it. AnC
d whereas the danger has only beer
o transferred from the red man to white
s assassius, robbers and desperadoes, Lei
3 the laws of the land root out the evil "a
valient men overeame the Indians, ant
II then all will be SAFE. IL Is a deeply
j. seated disease, demanding an effective
remedy, and nothing short Of making
the crime a felony will eradicate it
e Petty fines only 5proyoke merimen
among large classes, and heavy ones
would be secuted by considerable
number.
/ Returning to the first point, this re
# Election occurs and will be endorsed b,
l. many, that when every one who so de
10 sires openly carries pistol, men ar
10 not near so prone TO be insulting, quar-
" relsome and "aching for fight" a
ID when only the vicious are so inclined
because loaded down with eonceale,
n weapons. For one American citizen,
would say make the offence a felon.
Or and stop the practice, or let peaceabl
IL men openly exercise the right.
n OLD Cow Boy.