The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-24

Too Much Sympathy for Murderers.
An extraordinary effort is being made to
prevent the execution of Charles NJ. Ozburn
of Atlanta. who is condemned to be hanged
next Friday. His friends say that he is in
sane, and they are trying to show that he
| is at the time of his trial there was no
evidence to show that he was not in his
right mind when he committed the cold
blooded murder of which he was convicted.
In Macon a petition is being circulated
for the pardon OF a young man who shot
his employer a number of years ago, and
who was sentenced to the penitentiary for
life. 1t is alleged that he was not in his
right mind when he committed the terrible
crime, and it is urged on his behalf that he
is a model convict. The jury In his case,
after having heard all that could be said
for him, concluded that he knew what he
was doing when he fired the fatal shot.
There are reasons why he should conduct
himself quietly in the convict camp. Good
conduct insures him good treatment.
There are scores of men in this state who
have committed murder, but who are just
as free as if they were guilty of no crime
whatever. They owe their freedom to SYM
pathetic juries and shrewd lawyers. And
the fact that they are free encourages men
to use deadly weapons upon the slightest
provocation. Hardly a day passes that
murder is not committed, or attempted, in
some part of the state. Only the other day
a prominent citizen of Warrenton was shot
to death in the postoffice. The murdered
man was hardly given time to deny the
charge that was brought against him.
1t is to be expected that the friends of
murderers will do all that can be done to
save them from the penalty of their crimes,
but the good of the community requires
that the courts shall see that the laws are
enforced, and that the governor shall not
weakly yield to pleadings for pardon.
There must be a sentiment, and a strong
one, created against murder Men must be
taught that human life is sacred, and that
they cannot take it with impunity for real
or fancied grievances. There are ways for
settling difficulties without the splitting of
human blood.
But as long as the impression prevails
that men can be shot to death without
much danger of serious consequences to the
murderers the number of murders will not
decrease. Men will continue to use deadly
weapons in the most cowardly manner.
They will nurse their anger until favor
able opportunity presents itself and then
they will deliberately kill those against
whom they have q grievance. Or if a
quarrel occurs suddenly they will not hest
tate to use pistol or knife.
the witnesses against murderers are out
of the way, and juries by failing to convict
upon satisfactory evidence, are largely re-
sponsible for the large number of murders
committed. And the governors this state
has had have not been without their snare
of the blame. because they have too readily
yielded to appeals for pardon. A pardon
for murder should never be granted except
upon incontrovertible evidence that the
jury made mistake. There are cases I'M
doubtedly where good conduct ought to
have weight. but, all things considered, the
interests of society would be better served
by permitting the law to take its course.
And none of the minor offenses should be
more severely punished than the carrying
of concealed weapons. If that practice
could be wholly abolished there would be
decrease in the number Of murders at once
And it would be abolished very soon if
those who control public sentiment should
array themselves against it and exert them
selves to make it disreputable.