The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-08
WISE WORDS.
Is There a Law Against Murder In Mis-.
sissippi7

Is There n Law Against Murder In Mis-.
sissippi9
From the Meridian (MiSSl Democrat
The account We publish today Of the
Womack killing in Warren county is
another witness OF how cheap and u1rrr-
tain thing is human life in Mississippi.
We pass no Judgment upon the justiiica-
ton OF MIR. Bullock's conduct in killing
Mr.. Womack, but we do say In State
where there prevailed the proper rever-
ence for that sacred, awful God given thing
we call human life, this murdered mans
heart blood would never have wound
in pileous scarlet over that saloons
sanded floor. In Mississippi II rail.
road train kills COW, a horse or
other stock, a jury is impannclcd aud the
corporation made 10 pay damages. II a
negro or unfortunate white man breaks in
and steals, the grand jury indicts and a
verdict at last is rendered and the man Is
sent of 10 the hideous convict camps,
there under the lash 10 toll in sad expia-
ton OF his crime. II a man borrows
money. even the court, 10 It's fullest
power, attempts 10 make him pay II back.
But II man murders fellow human be-
ing. made in the image and likeness OF
God, and II no takes away the life God
gave, and all the powers OF the universe
are powerless 10 give back-if he Stays
him who was the sunlight Of some inno-
cent wonlan's life and the winner Of bread
for helpless children-ii in the revenge Of
an alleged wrong the murderer sends
home 10 these bereaycd beings a lump OF
cold listlcs clay, bloodstained and silent,
instead OF the father whose happy coming
made the darkened twilight time the
/ krt..ktaat as.uahtnta.t H.... 81 Iii Al. L..
IL a man does this hideous, recoiline
thing, trampling all mercy under feed.
outraging the highest, hottest feelings
OF the human heart, and insulting the
commands Of God, Il In too frequently
the oass that he IL called into the
courts, but for the purpose Of having the
jury pronounce him guiltless and their
verdict stand between him and public
obloquy or private vengeance. II IL
taunt flung out against ancient ages that A
man expiated murder by hno, but ours
Is the deeper, darker shame that A man
expiates crime by lawyers fee. A life.
q mans life, Is costly. precious thing.
Besides of all Of love II means 10 the
mother who bore him, watched and wopt
and prayed over his baby slumbers, who
taught him truth, religion and love,
and who nj last did send him 10 the
world high-souled, noble man-bcside
all II means OF love, a mans life represents
10 the State the expenditure OF much
money, much toll, much property, upon
an investment that IL Just now beginning
10 pay. A state IL n much interested Il.
nancially In an adult, wealth producing
citizen as farmer Il In his crops glitter.
ing with the ripcncd harvest. II Is a
greater calamity for the State 10 have q
citizen killed than 10 have property stolen.
Property stolen Is not destroyed but
simply transferred. but man slain
Is No much wealth annihilated.
II seems 10 us mockcry 81 call
a State civilized that protects property but
Is powerless 10 protect human life. II
seems 20 MS q mockcry 90 call q community
civilized that tolcratcs the murder Of a man
who has made true charge against his
slayer. II may be said there Is law against
murder, but wc say that though the stat
ute books be written through and through
with such enactments there II no law
agninst murder unless these laws
are enforced. That only IL law which
meets tho support OF the people, and
whose penalties are visited inexorably on
the head Of the guilty. II Is too custom.
airy with communicates 10 lay q hypocriti.
cal balm 10 their conscience by enactine
laws they are too cowardly or too indifier.
ent 20 enforce. Such law, we believe. In
a great measure, is the Law agains, murder
In Mississippi. II may b. chiyalry 10 al.
low citizens TO disregard the laws Of the
land and shoot down ono another, but Il n
not civilizations u may be- custom, but II
is defiance 10 the mandates u eternal
tool Who has sct his everlasting canon
against All slaughter.