The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-12-01

Plstois were, no doubt, worn during
the Notification excitement, but that
was in time of political turmoil,
time not unlike the days of 1876,
when our people rose and overthrow
the Radical government with which
we had been cursed. l am not now
discussing the carrying of pistols in
such emergencies, though did not
carry one myself except while on duty
in the rife clubs during actual riots.
But is it not time now for our people
to leave them off?
The resolutions adopted by the
State Press Association, at Newberry,
in May last, strike the keynote Of this
matter when they say:
Resolved, That this Association
recognizes that it is not the unfortun-
ate individuals who become involved
in the fatal ARRAYS, so common, who
are so much to blame as public opin-
ion, which not only sanctions acts of
violence, but is in great measure
responsible for their commission.
1t is public opinion that is RESPONSE
bic for the prevalence Of this crime
1t permits the carrying of concealed
weapons, and iustifics, if it does not
demand. their use in resentment Of
insult. If we would eradicate the
crime Of manslaughter We musS first
attack this wrctcbed custom.
shall now but repeat what I made
bold to say upon the floor of the
House Of Representatives of our State
some fifteen years ago, when [ charged
that the pistol is dastardly, coward
ly weapon, and the habit of carrying
it vulgar aud degrading to our people!
The pistol, say, is a cowardly
weapon! The knight-errant Of old
carried abroad his lance and battle
axe and sword, all conspicuous wcap-
ons, his pennon futtered in the
breeze at the head of his lance to
warn all Of his arms The gentleman
of later times wore his sword at his
side, which could not be covered. To
WELD sword one must stand at arm 8
length and watch the eye of mis- ad-
versary. To strike with dagger or
stiletto one must at least give the
warning of raising his arm for the
blow. But the pistol one may carry
in his pocket aud shoot with it with
out moving his arm. It is murder
Gus weapon! AS pointed out by one
of our Judges, in charge to a
Grand Jury, it is the only instrument
which can be pu. to nc ether use than
manslaughter. The gun is useful in
the chase to supply food for man, a
sword may be used for some. domestic
purpose, dagger or stiletto can be
used as butcher knife, or in the
kitchen-the pistol can be used for no
other purpose than killing men! And
even FOR this It's use is restricted TO
personal encounters, not for warlike
purposes. It is cursed weaponI Our
young men must be broken from the
idea that it is manly Or gentecl
habit to be carrying pistol in their
hip pockets. We must arouse public
sentiment to the conception that it is
cowardly and vulgar habit. Isay it is
cowardly habit. Analyze any de-
fence which you may hear of this Gus
tom. and it will be found to rest, G:
least, upon fear. The essence of
chivalry is the readiness to expose life
and limb in just cause; to meet odds,
and to despise danger. The pistol
and the drop shot'' is the outcome Of
bodily fear, the cowardly anxiety of
obtaining an undue advantage over an
adversary.
The duelliug code, in the suppress
sion of which I took no small part in
1882, had at least this to be said for
it: 1t demanded and enforced fairness
and equality. Nay, more, it scorned
self-protection. When swords were
the weapons in use, under its strict
rules, the left arm was not permitted
TO be raised to ward the adversary's
sword. Having given unjust ofense
its highest practitioner disdained to
avoid its penalties until the offender
had rendered the satisfaction to the
injured party by receiving his fire
without reply. As instances see the
noble Christopher Gadsden, when con-
vinced that he had been mistaken as
to the conduct Of Gen. Howe, refus-
ing to allow the matter 30 be accom-
modated until he had stood and re-
ceived Gen. Howe's FIRE without re-
turn, and then readily confessing his
mistake aud apologizing for his Of
fence; see the Earl Of Winchilsea in
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