The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-21

few days ago, there occurred at Chat
tanooga, one OF the most CHASTITY homlcides
that has ever stained the annals of tie
South. At the first glance, 1t seemed 10
have all those characteristics which our
Republican contemporaries in the NoTihern
States are in the habit of declaring 10 be
typical of ne Southern murder. For IN
stance, the parties involved were men OF
the highest personal and social prominence
in the community to which they belonsed'
the person killed being the cashier oil the
leading bank of Chattanooga, while the
man guilty of the crime occupied position
Of distinction in his profession.
Furthermore, the two men were uh'teu
by the closest family ties, being respec-
lively father-in-law and son-in-la"' III
addition TO this they resided in The same
house. and were generally looked upon not
only as useful and esteemed members OF
society, but also as amiaOle in disposition
and unaggressiye in their general bearing
In all this there appeared to be the most
ample material for long editorials III the
radical papers Of the North, commenting
in an unctuous moralizing and pharlsalcai
yeil on the singularity OF southern ciVili~a-
ton, which, as they have asserted
furnished 40 many instances OF bloody al
tercauons between men moving in the hish-
est walks of life after enjoying the O's'
advantages Of education, and in their gen.
eral relations, most friendly and cordial
vet upon the impulse Of momentary an
tagonism settling their disputes with a
savage ruthlessness, which,. for the time
being, was regardless OF the laws Of heaven
and man.
In the Chattanooga case, there seemed 10
be snother instance in every respect In ac'
cord with the preconception OF the North
ern radical mind. Unfortunately, however,
q careful inquiry into all the circumstances
OF this case dispels it's aptness IN illustra-
ton OF the theory mentioned.
In the first place the homicide was en-
tirely unprovoked by any ieud. 80 far as
is known there was no cause for II what
ever, except the suggestion OF drunken
brain, prepared 10 overcome at any cost
every form OF opposition, however rea-
sonable and considerable.
But the case is withdrawn entirely from
the category Of a supposed typical southern
crime by the fact that the party guilty OF II
was man Of Northern birth and training
who had taken up his residence in the
South after he had passed the formative
period Of his life, and who was, therefore,
an exclusive product Of Northern social in
fuences. Moreover, be was an appointee
OF a Republican administrations in short,
an official carpes-bagger who was drawn TO
{ be South, not by any sympathy with its
people, or any desire TO identify his fortunes
with theirs In tho proper spirit, but simply
by an intention TO derive as much personal
prodt from the position as could be gotten
cut Of IL In the course Of bis tenure OF IL.
The man whom he 90 brutally murder ed
was most exemplary citizen, who hsd
passed his whole life In the South. having I
been born aud educated in this section.
Ills tragical death has very naturally pro-
luced a most profound impression In Chat I
ausogs. IL cannot however, be used TO y
point a moral by the radical press OF the =
Ssrth.