The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1895-05-29
THE TRAGEDIES OF LOVE AND PAS
SION.

From the New Orleans Picayune.
The released by Recorder Whitaker OF
DR.. Samuel P. Schwiug, held for the
murder of Dr. Emile Hiriat, the out
RACER of Schwing's home, was in accord
apce with a sentiment that has always
| prevailed in the south, and the judge
decision was hailed with an out5urst of
appreciation which shook the courtroom
to its foundations.
The southern people have been ch rg-
ed with barbarism and an entire lack of
civilization for resenting with ferocity
andl avenging in blood attacks on their
! women. Whether or not this accusation
is lust depends on the view one takes of
civilization. 1t has been held by those
who oppose violence in all such cases
that the matter could be peaceably settled
by suit for damages or by action for di-
vorce, and in either case society would
not be shocked and demoralized by acts
of bloody violence.
If man can hold the sanctity of his
home and honor Of the wife of his bos-
| ON and of the mother of his children as
money price-if, in a word, these
things which some men CONSIDER holy
have only money value and may be
sold whenever the price is Forthcoming
the Picayune frankly says that it will
not countenance any such degrading and
loathsome opinions of family life and
human affections. They strike the low
est note of depravity and are worthy only
eff human brutes that in morality are far
below the beasts that perish.
But" says some of the advocates OF
the higher civilization, "why should a
man trouble himself about an unworthy
woman? She violates every law, divine
AMI human, when she voluntarily leaves
home, honor, social position and all that
| should be dear to a true woman to share
the unholy passion of libertine. Why
not secure a peaceful separation and let
her go, giving the deserted husband an
opportunity also to seek solace and pleas
ure in other fields?"
If love be merely an expression of an
imal instinct, then there is little differ
ence to man what woman he shall take
to wife If personal honor, self-Jespect
and pride of family be mere idle senti-
mentality, then marriage is lowered to
the condition of an accident. If de-
mand for the honorable descent Of the
race to be a useless concern, why not
establish the conditions proposed by
Plato in his "Republic," and make al
children the children of the state? 1t is
to this that the higher civilization, so
called, tends.
But if love chooses out from all the
world single object upon which tc
lavish it's affections; if it makes that OBJ
iect a precious and cherished one, and il
this love be sanctifed by the gift OF
children, shall not man meet like 3
lion, and tear like a lion, the bereaser OF
his love, the destroyer of his home? Ii
must not be fOrg 'tten that not all mer
and women are happily married, and il
sometimes happens that, in such case
a heart starving for real affection may be
induced to stray from the way of honor
aad duty; but the man wh0 unIawfully
lnvades the home of another does SO a
his peril He takes his life in his hand
and he stands ready at need, after hav
ing robbed a family of its honor and
happiness, ito STAY the robbed and de
frauded head of that family.
The people of the south have not re
attained the higher civilization in theil
treatment of ravishers and seducers
They must still endure the charge o.
barbarism. but it is a barbarsm that ev
cry strong-hearte1, high spirited man
who truly loves, who honOrs the object
of that love, and who faithfully guards
the sanctity of his home, would ap-
prove.